Earth Day Highlight: Climate Change and Public Health in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC)
WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training, Imperial College London
"Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Since Earth Day falls on April 22, it serves as a good reminder that now is the time for action. Climate change is not a distant hazard — it is now impacting our planet, our economies, and most critically, our health. In the GCC region, rising global temperatures and extreme heat are both causing serious health risks for the population.
The Gulf and the Growing Heat
The GCC Countries — including #SaudiArabia, #Qatar, #UAE, #Kuwait, #Bahrain, and #Oman —have already encountered some of the highest recorded temperatures on Earth, often reaching 50°C in the summer. These extreme temperatures could be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations like elderly people, children, and outdoor workers.
My current research, conducted as part of my Clinical Public Health Fellowship Programme at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training at the School of Public Health, Imperial, focuses on the health burden of climate change in the Gulf countries — an urgent area to study with real-world implications.
Health and Climate Change
Public health threats in the GCC are growing under the pressure of climate change. According to the World Health Organization, climate-related factors are already responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually. Former WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan famously stated:
“The health effects of climate change are right before our eyes—well-known, measurable, scientifically documented, and daunting.”
Key health impacts include:
Natural Disasters on the Rise
The GCC has not been impervious to climate-induced extreme weather. Take Oman, for example:
These events are now a worrying part of our everyday reality.
Mitigation to Adaptation
It is crucial to face the challenges caused by climate change. Adaptation can be achieved in different ways depending on the organisations, communities, and businesses. Health and political leaders need to pay more attention to how to deal with the current and future health issues related to climate change. Here is where the GCC Countries are taking action:
Awareness could make a real change. As health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and community members, we must:
On this important day, let’s inspire working together for a healthier planet and improved human well-being. The Gulf countries have the potential to lead by example, not just in energy policy, but in creating a climate-resilient public health future.
Written by: Dr Hamed Al-Qanubi Imperial College London WHOCC Fellow
Reviewed by: Celine Tabche, FHEA, MSc, ANtr Imperial WHOCC Codirector
& Ela Augustyniak Imperial WHOCC Educational Projects Manager
Edited by: Rachel Barker Imperial WHOCC Support Officer
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