Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems: Insights from DataKind’s Latest Climate-Health Landscape

Around the world, climate change is intensifying health risks – yet many health systems still lack the localized, actionable data needed to anticipate outbreaks, protect communities, and strengthen climate resilience. 

To address this, DataKind developed the global climate-health landscape report that examines the barriers preventing health systems from using climate data effectively, while also surfacing practical, locally grounded solutions already emerging across Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Mozambique, and India. The landscape highlights not only what’s possible but what’s already working on the ground.

A key finding: although advanced technologies powered by AI and data science can significantly accelerate progress, sustainable transformation depends on far more than technical innovation. Durable climate-health resilience requires local leadership steering priorities, sustained collaboration across institutions, and investment in cost-effective pathways and tools that can be maintained well beyond pilot phases.

These insights were shared during the Global Digital Health Forum (Dec. 3-5 in Nairobi, Kenya), where DataKind presented findings, showcased early product innovation – including the Climate x Health Pulse, a prototype that translates climate and health indicators into actionable insights for frontline stakeholders – and explored opportunities to extend the Data Observation Toolkit to new use cases. 

DataKind’s Mitali Ayyangar, Director, Global Communities, presents the Climate x Health Pulse prototype to the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and partners of the Lacuna Fund.

Climate-health resilience grows when data tools evolve with real-world workflows, strengthen local ownership, and enable faster and more equitable decision-making. AI can speed the progress – but the engine of change lies in community leadership, partnership, and sustained capacity building.

For a deeper dive into the landscape, case studies, and strategic recommendations, check out our latest piece on the TechChange blog by DataKind’s Mignonne Fowlis, Senior Manager, Product & Programs.

👉 Read the TechChange blog post
👉 Download the climate-health landscape

“To build truly climate-resilient health systems, we need data tools that are designed with and for communities they serve,” said Mignonne Fowlis, Senior Manager, Product & Programs, DataKind. “This landscape makes clear that when local actors have timely, usable insights, they can respond faster, plan smarter, and protect lives.”

If you’d like to engage or explore partnership opportunities, contact us at partners@datakind.org

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