Trinidad and Tobago strengthened its capacity to address the health impacts of environmental challenges, including climate change, through the completion of a national vulnerability and adaptation assessment. 

Providing technical guidance, regional methodologies, and analytical tools, PAHO supported the integration of climate, health, environmental, and socio demographic data into a coherent, cross sectoral analysis. The process strengthened collaboration among the health sector, the Ministry of Planning, the Environmental Management Authority, and academic institutions, reinforcing national ownership and intersectoral governance. The assessment identified priority climate sensitive health risks, vulnerable populations, and health system gaps, generating a robust evidence base to guide adaptation planning and investment decisions. 

By anchoring the assessment in international standards and building national analytical capacity, PAHO enabled the country to better anticipate and manage risks related to extreme weather events, vector borne diseases, and other climate related threats. These outputs contribute to long term health system resilience, support informed policy implementation, and strengthen preparedness to protect population health in the context of increasing climate variability.

Photo caption: Working group discussion during the national Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) assessment process
Credit: PAHO Trinidad and Tobago