Page - 318 - in Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change

318 and participation. These were the core issues around which the COHAB Initiative was then established (COHAB 2005), and which provided the basis for further development of the topic. The COHAB Initiative, which is less active now, had a strong influence to put the topic on the agenda of the CBD and stimulated the joint work programme of the CBD and the WHO, which are now the main global actors in this field (see sect. 14.5.2). 14.4 Climate Change and  Health The direct link between climate change and health issues is well developed (e.g. WHO 2016; Wolf et  al. 2015; see also Lindley et  al. Chap. 1, Hunter et  al. Chap. 17, both this volume). Already in 2008 the World Health Assembly developed a global Work Plan to support member states in climate change and health protection that Box 14.1 Co-operation on Health and Biodiversity  – COHAB Initiative The COHAB Initiative operates through Partnership arrangements with a growing network of organisations worldwide, representing government and multi-lateral agencies, academic institutes, NGOs, indigenous communities and the private sector. These organisations share a common interest  – to enhance co-operation between the health and biodiversity sectors, working together for a healthy planet with healthy people. Major areas of focus include: • Poverty reduction and livelihood security • Food security, nutrition and dietary health • Emerging diseases • Natural products and medicinal resources • Disaster prevention, relief and recovery • Traditional knowledge • Indigenous community health • Social and spiritual well-being and mental health. COHAB Initiative Partnership arrangements provide a framework within which organisations may collaborate to increase the effectiveness of their efforts in addressing the issues linking the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity with health, well-being and livelihood security. Partners range from Intergovernmental organisations (mainly from the UN-System), to inter- national non-governmental organisations and a variety of country-based organisations. (http://www.cohabnet.org, accessed 25.05.2018) H. Korn et al.