FOLLOWING the launch of the updated National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) in 2023, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DoST – PCHRD) and the University of the Philippines (UP) – Manila launched the national research agenda for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DRR – CCA) in health.

The development of the agenda has been supported by the DoST – PCHRD under the project "Development of the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in health research agenda 2023-2028," led by Carlos Primero Gundran of UP Manila.

The initiative aimed to ensure the responsiveness and relevance of research and development projects that delve in the context of disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation in health in the country.

Specifically, the agenda will support the DRR – CCAH program of the DoST – PCHRD to become a major contributor of science and technology solutions that address emerging health challenges and to seamlessly integrate with the NUHRA 2023- 2028.

To craft the agenda, the project team conducted four consultation meetings, involving all 17 regions in the country and generated regional priorities in DRR and CCA in health that are relevant to the respective geographic, economic and cultural situations of each region.

In total, 121 research topics emerged from all regions, which were then synthesized into seven themes along with corresponding subthemes.

The themes are Community resilience, engagement, and participation in health emergencies and disasters; Climate change adaptation, prevention and mitigation; Surveillance, data management and technology; Food security and nutrition; Governance and policies in DRR and CCA in health; Health service delivery; and mental health and psychosocial services.

The project was completed last June 2024 and was allocated with a total funding support, amounting to P4,897,004 by the DoST – PCHRD.