Focusing Climate Change Policy on Health in Cities

Can using the social determinants of health to develop climate change policy ‘build’ resilient cities? Current climate change policy focused on resilience, while effective, can acquire more depth with a health focus. How though, is the question? The social determinants of health can act as a guide for resilience-focused policy. The SDH with their focus on the causes of the causes may assist with the strengthening of policy aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change. The paper emerges from the findings of a content analysis and a survey of 51 cities to identify policy areas with potential for growth based on a policy matrix developed using the social determinants of health.