Global Health Program

Global Health Program is sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation. Supports initiatives that improve reproductive health rights in Latin America.

Reimagining global health for a changing world Global health is at a critical crossroads. Unprecedented disruptions to the norms and institutions that have underpinned global health for decades — compounded by 21 st -century threats from climate change — are revealing the profound fragility of global health systems. Extreme heat highlights this fragility and the need for the public health sector to evolve.

The past decade has been the warmest on record, making it impossible for growing numbers of people to live and work safely. Each year, unrelenting heat waves claim nearly half a million lives and account for billions in GDP losses.

Because of extreme heat, sectors that are foundational to many economies are becoming more dangerous — or are disappearing entirely — pushing families deeper into poverty and changing where people can live and thrive. In the face of health shocks like extreme heat, the public health institutions that served us in the 20th century are no longer adequate.

Global public health must evolve — and protecting against extreme heat is at the heart of this transformation.

Just as we supported the science, institutions, and infrastructure that tackled past public health challenges, The Rockefeller Foundation is now doing the same to address the climate crisis — arguably the defining health challenge of the century — by supporting communities and their leaders to take lifesaving, cost-effective, climate-informed health action.

heightened health risks due to climate change due to fossil fuel pollution each year in additional global health costs by 2050 due to climate change Climate change is driving health emergencies, but frontline communities are taking action Navigation Tip: Hover over each card to learn about live-saving actions led by communities most impacted.

1 Next Generation Climate Services: Supporting universal protection from climate events through life-saving early warning and action systems. 2 People-Centered Impact: Promoting equitable, proactive responses to extreme weather threats. 3 Mobilizing Action: Facilitating global commitment, accountability, and financing for climate-health action.

As the world warms, deadly heat and extreme weather pose a growing threat to our health. Learn how countries are evolving their health systems to protect everyone.

Climate Services for Health Connecting climate data with health systems to help communities prepare for and respond to climate-driven health crises Financing Climate-Health Solutions Unlocking adaptation financing to strengthen climate-resilient health systems and meet growing community needs.

Locally-Led Climate Health Adaptation Anticipating climate risks, empowering communities, and delivering life-saving resources before crises hit The Rockefeller Foundation’s grantees and global partners are advancing health security and resilience in a warming world. Click to learn more. View Health Focused Grants A Chance for Transformation in Global Health Global health is at an inflection point.

As funding shrinks, climate threats grow, and long-standing systems falter, the world must move from aid to investment, shift power to local leaders, and replace siloed programs with system-wide solutions. Dr. Naveen Rao, Senior Vice President of the Health Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation, calls for urgent, bold action to build a more resilient, equitable global health system that’s truly fit for the future.

United Nations Secretary General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat Extreme heat is becoming deadlier and more frequent, putting over 2 billion workers and the most vulnerable communities at serious risk. In response, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a global Call to Action to protect people, strengthen economies, and limit warming by phasing out fossil fuels.

Supported by ten UN agencies, this is a unified push to confront one of the most urgent climate threats of our time. COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and Health At COP29, The Rockefeller Foundation joins the World Health Organization’s call to action to ensure health considerations are embedded in all climate negotiations, strategies, policies, and plans.

Developed in collaboration with over 100 organizations and 300 experts, the Special Report identifies 5 critical policies that leaders can implement now to protect the estimated 3. 3 billion people most vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. Across the world, our partners and grantees work to ensure healthy futures for people and the planet.

Data Sounds the Alarm; Community Drives the Solution Data collection, digitization, and analysis in far-flung locations means public health interventions are based on fact, not opinion -- critical as climate change challenges health systems.

Pioneering an Intercultural Health Model to Fight Climate-Sensitive Diseases A collaborative effort is underway to fuse Indigenous ancient wisdom with Western medical practices and create a more powerful public health system in the Amazon rainforest.

A Powerful Partnership Propels the Fight Against Climate-Fueled Disease In India, ARTPARK is breaking new ground in uniting with policy implementers to create an early warning system that allows public health officials to respond proactively to dengue outbreaks — and that’s just the beginning.

Discover More Impact Stories DengueAI: New Model That Anticipates Outbreaks With 93% Effectiveness and Three Weeks’ Advance Notice Rockefeller Foundation Calls for Urgent, Coordinated Response to Record Decline in Global Aid, per New OECD Data La Isla Network Launches New Initiatives To Protect Workers From Extreme Heat in Latin America Director, Health Policy and Communications Get quick updates in our e‑newsletter.

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