As the UK basks in 30 degrees and glorious sunshine, even if only for a few days, it prompts the question: how much does extreme weather affect global travel and health?

Many destinations are increasingly exposed to climate-related risks, such as strengthening hurricanes hitting the US coasts, heatwaves throughout Europe, or wildfires across Australia. And this does not consider the existing challenges of droughts in Africa or flooding and storms in parts of Asia.

These events threaten the safety of travellers, as well as the citizens who call these destinations home and many of whom are the healthcare and logistical workforces of these regions. These challenges can be significant for assistance companies, as it is their role to support the health and security of clients and their insured, even when faced with extreme and unpredictable obstacles.

With 3.6 billion people living in areas highly susceptible to climate change, the implications for residents and travellers are profound. According to the WHO, between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year due to undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress. With 2030 only a few years away, these statistics highlight the urgent need for effective response mechanisms to protect vulnerable populations and travellers alike.

While assistance companies can’t prevent climate change or extreme pressures that may be placed on healthcare infrastructure, we still need to provide support in times of crisis.

What is likely to change as climate emergencies become more prevalent? Well, there are many services and resources which may become strained. From local healthcare institutions being excessively busy and with reduced access to certain treatments and medicines, especially those arriving by sea, to intermittent disruption in travel due to weather-related challenges, such as the delay to an air ambulance flight. But in all these situations, or any other unexpected issue or challenge, having a robust global network is one significant resource we can use to help our patients and clients.

Learning from the past

As we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare and travel can easily become restricted and compromised with very little warning. Only by growing partnerships and alliances with healthcare providers and developing and utilising a network of trusted partners and medical facilities worldwide can appropriate care be accessed. Past global health and climatic crises and events are not locked in the past, and it is quite likely that we will see and experience more events during our lifetime and beyond. But by learning from and reflecting on past experiences, we can be stronger and even better prepared for the future.

Now is the time to build the right relationships​

We believe that any climate-related global health issue will require specialised and experienced assistance companies equipped with the expertise to provide clients and patients with the support they need. Decisions on which facilities will offer the best care, what factors to be aware of and when to leave a country all need to be based on experience. At MedResQ, our team of highly experienced medical and operational staff bring this experience daily, and with a rich global network of trusted partners, we are ready to face these challenges head-on and with confidence.