Emerging El Niño Conditions: notes for the global health community

This document discusses the El Niño phenomenon, which is predicted to develop later this year and is expected to last through at least February 2015. Based on past experience, this translates to a period of heightened likelihood that extreme weather conditions can occur with associated health impacts. The document emphasizes that understanding and monitoring the emerging climatic conditions offers an opportunity to improve regional, national and sub-national health system preparedness that can prevent avoidable negative health impacts attendant with El Niño.