Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the greatest challenges in our lives. Extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, and storms not only disrupt daily life but also place significant strain on healthcare systems. Hospitals may face interruptions in electricity, transport routes can be cut off, and emergency services may struggle to respond to growing demands (Gkouliaveras et al., 2025). These situations highlight the vulnerability of healthcare systems and the urgent need for resilience.
Systemic design provides one approach to strengthening preparedness in the healthcare system. Rather than focusing on single problems in isolation, systemic design examines the interconnections between patients, healthcare professionals, emergency responders, technologies, and communities (Barbero & Pallaro, 2017). Mapping these relationships helps figure out both bottlenecks and opportunities for cooperation. For instance, improving communication channels between hospitals, local clinics, and communities can make a critical difference when traditional systems are disrupted (Bijl-Brouwer & Malcolm, 2020).
For healthcare practice, resilience involves more than clinical readiness. Nurses and frontline staff require clear protocols, supportive digital tools, and strong collaboration networks to act effectively during crises. Equally important is inclusivity: communication and services must reach all population, including older adults, people with disabilities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups who may otherwise be overlooked. Practical interventions such as multilingual emergency messages or neighborhood-based volunteer networks can reduce inequalities in access to healthcare services during emergencies (Vandrevala et al., 2024).
As climate change continues to intensify, healthcare systems will increasingly be tested. Applying systemic design principles can support the creation of more adaptable, inclusive, and sustainable services. Ultimately, resilience is not only about responding to the next crisis; it is about ensuring that healthcare remains equitable and accessible in an uncertain future.
The use of AI
ChatGPT 5 was employed in the writing process primarily to improve the fluency of the language and enhance the overall coherence and structure of the text.
Kemeng Che
University of Turku, Department of Nursing Science
References:
Barbero, S., & Pallaro, A. (2017). Systemic Design for Sustainable Healthcare. The Design Journal, 20(sup1), S2473–S2485. https://doi.org/10.1080/14606925.2017.1352762
Bijl-Brouwer, M. van der, & Malcolm, B. (2020). Systemic Design Principles in Social Innovation: A Study of Expert Practices and Design Rationales. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 6(3), 386–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sheji.2020.06.001
Gkouliaveras, V., Kalogiannidis, S., Kalfas, D., & Kontsas, S. (2025). Effects of Climate Change on Health and Health Systems: A Systematic Review of Preparedness, Resilience, and Challenges. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(2), 232. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020232
Vandrevala, T., Morrow, E., Coates, T., Boulton, R., Crawshaw, A. F., O’Dwyer, E., & Heitmeyer, C. (2024). Strengthening the relationship between community resilience and health emergency communication: A systematic review. BMC Global and Public Health, 2(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44263-024-00112-y
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