Health in a changing climate: New specialist book shows who is particularly at risk - and what can help

Climate change is not only jeopardising ecosystems, but increasingly also people's health - especially that of particularly vulnerable groups. The new textbook "Climate and Vulnerability", edited by Daniela Schmitz, Jan-Hendrik Ortloff, Manfred Fiedler, Julia Rinas-Bahl and Lena Lorenz, takes a systematic look at these interrelationships for the first time. The volume will be published by Springer Verlag in December 2025 and is now available for pre-order.

Climate change also affects power grids, hospitals and social facilities

"Vulnerability is deliberately understood broadly in the book," explains Jun.-Prof. Dr Daniela Schmitz from Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H). "It's not just about people, but also about the structures on which their care depends." For example, the contributions show how extreme weather or heatwaves can push power grids, hospitals and social facilities to their limits and what consequences this can have for security of supply. Global aspects such as climate justice are also highlighted using specific country examples, such as Pakistan.

Bringing research, practice and policy together

The book combines basic and research contributions from various disciplines. It is aimed at health scientists and practitioners from climate and health fields. Another central topic is the concept of climate preparedness: the ability to be prepared for climate events - from flood protection and heat action plans to urban greenery.

"In Germany, the first systematic approaches are taking shape with the new Climate Adaptation Act and the national adaptation strategy," says Schmitz. "But at municipal level, there is often still a lack of holistic strategies to make healthcare more climate-resilient."

Basic work on a topic of the future

The edited volume aims to bring together a previously fragmented field of research. The aim is to combine theoretical principles, empirical findings and practical solutions. "Climate change and health are no longer separate issues," says Schmitz. "If you want to shape healthcare, you have to think about ecological, social and health factors together."

Book reference:
Climate and Vulnerability, edited by Daniela Schmitz, Jan-Hendrik Ortloff, Manfred Fiedler, Julia Rinas-Bahl and Lena Lorenz.
Springer Verlag, December 2025, ISBN 978-3-662-71726-4.
Pre-order at: https://link.springer.com/book/9783662717264