NTU Unveils Cutting-Edge Research Hub to Explore Climate Change Health Risks in Tropical Regions

A new research center has launched in Singapore, aiming to address the health challenges posed by climate change in tropical regions. The Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Health opened its doors on April 15 at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Its director, Associate Professor Steve Yim, noted that rising global temperatures are causing urgent issues in Southeast Asia, including air quality, extreme heat, and water supply.

Professor Yim pointed out a significant gap in research focused on tropical areas, which are often overlooked in global studies. Southeast Asia faces unique challenges like high humidity, monsoon season, and haze pollution, all of which negatively impact public health. “This region is one of the most vulnerable to climate-related health risks, yet it remains under-researched,” he said.

During the launch, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Amy Khor, emphasized that Singapore, being a dense urban center, is particularly susceptible to these climate impacts. She mentioned that climate change alters rainfall patterns and increases extreme weather events, which can heighten the spread of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes—a concern highlighted by findings from Duke-NUS Medical School.

Khor added that the center’s work will build upon findings from Singapore’s third National Climate Change Study, further enhancing our understanding of how tropical climate variability affects health in Singapore and beyond.

The center will bring together researchers from various NTU faculties, such as the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and the Asian School of the Environment. Over the next five years, these experts will conduct interdisciplinary studies focusing on the health impacts of climate change.

According to the World Health Organization, climate change could cause around 250,000 additional deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 from diseases like malnutrition and malaria. Additionally, a study reported that from 2000 to 2019, Asia saw nearly 489,000 heat-related deaths each year, demonstrating the urgency of addressing these health risks.

The center’s goal is to establish a regional consortium, collaborating with institutions from Indonesia, India, Thailand, Taiwan, and the UK to study the link between climate and health in the tropics. Imperial College London’s Medical Research Council is already involved, alongside local partners such as the National Environment Agency.

Research from this center will complement ongoing projects at other universities, including the National University of Singapore, focused on the climate-health connection. For instance, one study examines the combined effects of heat and air pollution on health across different regions.

The work at the center illustrates the need for a collaborative approach, combining expertise from climate, environmental, and health sciences. Professor Yim acknowledges that different organizations often work in silos, which is less effective. By fostering collaboration, the center hopes to create practical solutions for policymakers and local communities.

As climate change continues to pose significant health threats, initiatives like this are critical in fostering adaptability and resilience in vulnerable regions.

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