Health and climate change: country profile 2021: Malta

This WHO/EURO UNFCCC health and climate change country profile for Malta provides a summary of available evidence on climate hazards, health vulnerabilities, health impacts and progress to date in health sector efforts to realize a climate-resilient health system. he WHO and UNFCCC Health and Climate Change Country Profile Project monitors the health impacts of climate change and progress in building climate resilient health systems. By publishing updated country profiles every four years, the project not only provides a snapshot on a range of national health and climate change indicators, but also creates a mechanism to track climate-related health impacts and responses over time.

Malta has experienced increasing air and sea surface temperatures, decreasing annual precipitation, and more frequent intense rainfall events that cause flooding, threaten water resources, agriculture and infrastructure. Climate-sensitive health risks include heat stress, vector-borne and foodborne diseases (such as salmonellosis), and increased risk of deaths and injuries from flash floods.