Public interest in climate and health at record high, Birmingham researchers find

Public interest in how climate change affects our health has reached a record high, but governments are paying it less attention, according to University of Birmingham researchers who track the issue for a major international report.

Professor Niheer Dasandi chairs the working group on public and political engagement for the 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, an annual report that brings together more than 100 researchers worldwide and tracks more than 50 scientific indicators.

Health at the heart of climate change

The report sets out how a changing climate is already affecting people's health, from extreme heat and flooding to the spread of infectious diseases, food insecurity and worse air pollution. Heatwaves and wildfires are intensifying, and 2026 saw the hottest August on record.

Professor Dasandi, a professor of global politics and sustainable development, argues that seeing climate change as a health issue makes it feel closer to home. "Climate change can seem like a distant environmental problem, discussed in terms of temperature targets and emissions trajectories," he writes. "But its health consequences are immediate, tangible and deeply personal."

He points out that climate action can bring direct health benefits too, such as active travel and eating less red meat, and that his team's previous research found health framings can increase public support for climate action, including among people less worried about climate change.

Grounds for optimism

Working with Birmingham colleagues Dr Fabio Battaglia, Dr Aditi Dutta and Professor Slava Jankin, the team measured engagement through media coverage, research, business, legislation and public interest.

Using Google search data, they found that global public interest in climate change and health has risen about sixfold since 2016, reaching its highest recorded level in 2025. Interest is highest in low- and middle-income countries and small island states, which often face the biggest health threats despite contributing little to global emissions.

Media coverage across 75 countries shows growing attention, and a new indicator developed by Dr Dutta found a fiftyfold increase between 2000 and 2025 in national climate laws that mention health.

A worrying gap

The most concerning finding, Professor Dasandi says, is that this growing public engagement is not being matched by politicians. Analysis of government statements at the United Nations shows political engagement with climate change and health has fallen for the fourth year running.

"Growing societal engagement is encouraging," he writes. "But declining political engagement reminds us that progress cannot be taken for granted."

What it means here

The health effects of climate change are not only felt far away. The report lists threats from extreme heat to worsening air pollution, and benefits from healthier choices such as active travel. The Birmingham team's work is a reminder that public attention is growing, and that turning it into action is now the task for governments.