Research advances in adaptation assessment indicators and methods for climate change-related health risk projections

Objective  To conduct a scoping review of adaptation assessment indicators and method for climate change-related health risk projection research.

Methods  Seven Chinese and English literature databases were searched for original research articles on climate change-related health risk projections incorporating adaptation assessment from database inception to August 1, 2023. Information on study locations (countries/regions), health outcomes, and adaptation indicators and method was extracted and synthesized. The adaptation indicators and assessment method were categorized and summarized. This study was conducted according to scoping review guidelines, and was written adhering to the PRISMA-SCR statement.

Results  A total of 23 research articles were included, all of which were original studies. The adaptation assessment indicators included temperature threshold (87%) and exposure-response curve's slope (13%). There were six adaptation assessment method, including temperature threshold shifts (48%), slope alterations (12%), the combination of temperature threshold shifts and slope alterations (24%), simulating exposure-response relationships (8%), adaptation quantification based on historical data (4%), and developing predictive models for the minimum mortality temperature (4%).

Conclusion  In climate change-related health risk projections, temperature threshold and temperature threshold shifts are the most frequently used adaptation assessment indicator and method, respectively.