Climate crisis drives health crisis in Pacific; women bear the heaviest load
Rising seas and warming oceans are triggering diabetes and heart disease epidemics in the Pacific, hitting women hardest.
As saltwater seeps into Pacific soil, farmland shrinks and fish stocks collapse. Families turn to imported food, usually high in calories but low in nutrition.
Rates of diabetes and heart disease are climbing fast. The Pacific now has the world's highest rates of these chronic diseases, responsible for 87% of deaths in the Western Pacific region.
Women carry the largest burden. They manage family food and water security, then replant crops after storms.
This exhausting work harms their mental health. At climate talks in Fiji and Tuvalu last month, Pacific women leaders shared their own solutions and called for health to be central to global climate action.
- 87 per cent in Western Pacific region
- Deaths from chronic disease
- Fiji and Tuvalu
- Pre-COP meetings held in
- Highest rates in the world
- Pacific chronic disease burden
Why it mattersChronic diseases are now a bigger threat to Pacific communities than acute disasters. Climate finance must address everyday health crises.
AustraliaAustralia will host COP31 and should prioritise health and gender equity in climate action, based on Pacific leadership.
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