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A new major CORE study conducted in partnership with the Wellcome Trust in Brazil, India, Japan and South Africa finds that evidence of climate risks to health increases public support for climate action twice as often as other climate-related messages.
Evidence of the increasingly severe health impacts of climate change increases public concern and support for government action across Brazil, India, Japan and South Africa according to a major study conducted for Wellcome by the Climate Opinion Research Exchange (CORE).
Public concern around climate change and support for climate action shifts people’s attitudes twice as often when people are informed about climate change’s impacts on their health, compared to when they receive other information about climate risks.
The influence of climate change on extreme heat, food and water, and children’s health prompt the greatest levels of public concern across the four countries.
The study found differences between countries in how people perceive risks to health from climate change:
In Brazil, the public are highly concerned about the mental health impacts of climate change, as well as about the impact on food and water insecurity. In all, 79% of the public reported they want the government to take more action on climate change, with 82% wanting urgent action to prevent climate impacts on public health.
In India, air pollution and access to healthcare as a result of climate impacts drive public concern. 66% of the public want the government to do more on climate change, while 74% want urgent action to safeguard against climate impacts on health.
In Japan, extreme heat is the most important issue for the public, alongside air pollution, infectious diseases and the risks of climate change to the health of older people. 67% of the public said they want the government to do more on climate change, with 58% believing that urgent action on climate and health should be undertaken.
In South Africa, climate impacts on children’s health carry the most weight with the public, as well as food and water shortages, and maternal health. An overwhelming 85% of the South African public want the government to take action on climate change, and 82% want specific action to prevent climate impacts on health.
Across the countries, a large majority of the public (over 80%) are concerned about climate change across the four countries, and three quarters or more know that it is harming people’s health.
The findings of the research, based on a randomised control trial of over 30,000 respondents across the four countries between September and October 2025, demonstrate widespread concern among the public about the health risks of climate change, and the extent to which these concerns are driving demand for stronger policies.
To access the full report, click here.
To access the study’s online appendix, with full study results, click here.
To access the study’s questionnaire, click here.