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When rain patterns shift and ocean temperatures rise, the effects ripple through Pacific ecosystems, economies, and public health. Outbreaks of leptospirosis and mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, often surge in the aftermath of cyclones or during prolonged wet seasons. For communities already managing multiple climate and development pressures, these diseases can silently undermine resilience.
In New Caledonia, Ms Léa Douchet, a PhD candidate with the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), is helping to close the gap between climate science and public health. Her research uses climate and mathematical models to inform future disease outbreaks in the Pacific, giving governments the ability to anticipate and prepare for the health impacts of a changing climate.
Ms Douchet said the collaboration is helping turn complex data into real-world solutions.
“Working with SPC gives this research purpose beyond the laboratory,” she said. “By linking climate models to health planning, we can help Pacific countries act early and protect communities before outbreaks occur.”
The modelling process brings together climate variables such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity with epidemiological records from Pacific Island countries. By identifying how environmental conditions create “windows of risk” for disease transmission, the models help countries shift from reactive to preventative approaches.
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The project is part of a growing body of research positioning SPC as a regional hub for climate and health innovation. By linking scientific inquiry with practical policy design, SPC is supporting member countries in strengthening resilience through evidence-based planning and cross-sector collaboration.
Ms Douchet’s recognition is a reminder that world-class science can emerge from local partnerships and that when research is rooted in Pacific realities, it not only informs global understanding but also safeguards the region’s future.
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- Dr Berlin Kafoa, Director, Public Health Division, Pacific Community (SPC), berlink@spc.int
- Anne-Claire Goarant, Climate Change Flagship Coordinator, Climate Change and Sustainability Division, Pacific Community, SPC anneclaireg@spc.int
