CARICOM health ministers endorse 2026 to 2031 action plan on health and climate change
The PAHO-backed framework aims to protect Caribbean health systems from hurricanes, heat, flooding and shifting disease patterns.
WASHINGTON, United States. Health ministers of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member and associate member states have endorsed the Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change for 2026 to 2031, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Friday, September 25.
The endorsement came at the 53rd meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (Health), held at PAHO headquarters in Washington ahead of the 63rd PAHO Directing Council.
"Across the Caribbean, climate change and environmental hazards are increasingly affecting health through hurricanes, extreme heat, flooding, droughts and shifting transmission patterns of vector-borne diseases," PAHO said, noting that hurricanes have damaged hospitals and health centres.
PAHO said small island developing states in the region faced particular vulnerabilities because of their geography, economic structures and exposure to natural hazards.
Four lines of action
The plan is organised around four strategic lines: governance and leadership; climate-resilient health systems; low-carbon health systems; and resources and financing.
"Caribbean countries are demonstrating leadership on an issue that requires coordinated action across sectors," said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO.
Dr Daniel Buss, chief of PAHO's Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health Unit, said the updated plan placed "greater emphasis on strengthening health system resilience, improving access to financing" and giving countries the tools to protect those most at risk.
Building on earlier gains
PAHO said the plan builds on its 2019 to 2023 predecessor. Under that plan, Caribbean countries developed health national adaptation plans, trained more than 2,500 health professionals across 15 countries, expanded multi-hazard early warning systems to seven countries and brought health facilities in seven countries up to PAHO's SMART (Safe and Green) standards.
The new framework was shaped through consultations with member states in 2025 and 2026, including an in-person meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados. It is recognised as a public health good under the PAHO-CARICOM Joint Subregional Cooperation Strategy 2025 to 2029.
Implementation will be country-led. Leah-Mari Richards, chief of the PAHO/WHO Subregional Programme for the Caribbean, said PAHO would work with CARICOM, CARPHA, academia, civil society and the private sector, and would join member states "in mobilising the resources needed to implement this Plan."
Ministries of health are encouraged to lead implementation with ministries responsible for climate change, environment, finance, disaster risk management, energy, water and sanitation, and agriculture.
