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"I think they should give primary health care a little more priority". The primary health care in Caribbean SIDS: what can be said about adaptation to the changing climate? The case of Dominica— a qualitative study.
- Source :
- BMC Primary Care; 2/22/2024, Vol. 25 Issue 1, p1-15, 15p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Adaptation to climate change (CC) is a priority for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean, as these countries and territories are particularly vulnerable to climate-related events. Primary health care (PHC) is an important contributor to CC adaptation. However, knowledge on how PHC is prepared for CC in Caribbean SIDS is very limited. The aim of this paper is to discuss health system adaptation to climate change, with a focus on PHC. Methods: We explored the perspectives of PHC professionals in Dominica on PHC adaptation to climate change. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in each of the seven health districts in Dominica, a Caribbean SIDS, between November 2021 and January 2022. The semi-structured interview guide was based on the Essential Public Health Functions: assessment, access to health care services, policy development and resource allocation. Data coding was organized accordingly. Results: Findings suggest that health care providers perceive climate change as contributing to an increase in NCDs and mental health problems. Climate-related events create barriers to care and exacerbate the chronic deficiencies within the health system, especially in the absence of high-level policy support. Healthcare providers need to take a holistic view of health and act accordingly in terms of disease prevention and health promotion, epidemiological surveillance, and ensuring the widest possible access to healthcare, with a particular focus on the environmental and social determinants of vulnerability. Conclusion: The primary health care system is a key stakeholder in the design and operationalization of adaptation and transformative resilience. The Essential Public Health Functions should integrate social and climate and other environmental determinants of health to guide primary care activities to protect the health of communities. This study highlights the need for improved research on the linkages between climate events and health outcomes, surveillance, and development of plans informed by contextual knowledge in the SIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- MENTAL illness risk factors
HEALTH policy
COMMUNITY health nurses
FOCUS groups
PUBLIC health administration
HEALTH services accessibility
SOCIAL determinants of health
PROFESSIONS
ATTITUDES of medical personnel
RESEARCH methodology
PSYCHOLOGICAL vulnerability
INTERVIEWING
MEDICAL screening
HEALTH status indicators
PRIMARY health care
QUALITATIVE research
SEASONS
RISK assessment
MEDICAL emergencies
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
NATURAL disasters
RESEARCH funding
POLICY sciences
DATA analysis software
GREENHOUSE effect
HEALTH planning
CLIMATE change
HEALTH care rationing
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 27314553
- Volume :
- 25
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Primary Care
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175695645
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02311-w