From inaction to integration? Media coverage of climate-health policy approaches and solution target in global north-south countries

Abstract

Introduction

Climate change has become a major health concern worldwide, while the policy response to these challenges exists in silos. In democracies, the media have the power to influence the policy agenda by highlighting certain issues and they act as a key platform for debating the political, social, and health implications of climate change. This research reveals how policy discourse is communicated to the public, directly influencing the political feasibility and social acceptance of climate-health policy actions.

Method

This research presents an analysis of media coverage of government approaches and solutions across the Global North (the United States and the United Kingdom) and the South (Pakistan and India). A quantitative content analysis of two newspapers from each country, from 2015 to 2024, was conducted to analyze the government's approach.

Result

Media coverage of climate and health reveals that inaction prevails across all selected countries, while sustainable policy responses are less emphasized. Denial of the climate-health connection is more prevalent in the Global North, particularly in the United States. After 2019, media coverage showed a reactive response to the issue. Media in all countries focused on government-led initiatives to manage health issues caused by climate change (47.4 %). Even the media in the Global South missed the opportunity to highlight global cooperation for climate-health action.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that a country-specific anticipatory approach for integrating climate and health considerations into policy and communication across regions is needed to mitigate the health impacts of climate change.