Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the defining public health challenges of our time, affecting not only our physical health, but also, as a growing body of research shows, our brain health and mental wellbeing. These impacts are most severely felt within urban settings, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and young people.
Aiming to build on the event titled “Healthy Planet, Healthy Minds and Brains: Science for Resilient Cities and Communities” at the United Nations Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum 2026, which featured a conversation highlighting the need to better connect research with policy and practice, this event aims to explore how scientific evidence can be translated into practical action by cities, universities, healthcare institutions, and international organizations.
This session aims to highlight the latest research on climate change on mental and brain health, explore how cities can incorporate mental and brain health into adaptation and planning, share examples of leadership and innovation, including existing city‑level pilot concepts boosting brain and mental health, and foster dialogue and partnerships among researchers, clinicians, policymakers, UN agencies, and city leaders to promote practical, evidence-based solutions.