Living evidence map of the global climate and health literature

OBJECTIVES: This is a protocol for a Cochrane review (flexible). The objectives are as follows: The objectives of this living evidence map are to: systematically map the breadth, scope, and characteristics of the global literature on the relationship of climate change, climate variability, weather, climate-forcing agents, and fossil fuels with human health and well-being; enable ongoing, up-to-date access to the evolving evidence base through a living approach (encompassing content currency and adjustment of methods); enable identification of clusters of well-researched areas and evidence gaps; enable flexible, accelerated identification, visualization, selection, analysis, and export of records according to the needs of a diverse group of interest holders via an interactive interface and filtering via a dedicated taxonomy; enable the continuous monitoring of a specific topic of interest; and evaluate the rigor, legitimacy, and utility of an AI-supported living evidence mapping approach. Specifically, we envision the map to enable: researchers to identify, collate, and select existing evidence and diverse study designs, explore clusters and gaps, and produce evidence syntheses in a more efficient way; policymakers and international and intergovernmental organizations (such as the World Health Organization or the Sustainable Development Goals Synthesis Coalition) to understand the scope, scale, and distribution of the evidence; research funding bodies to take a more evidence-based approach to funding decisions and identify and fund priority topics, where evidence is most needed and duplication of efforts is avoided; science assessment bodies such as the IPCC or the Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and Health to obtain a comprehensive overview of the research landscape and obtain easy access to relevant lines of evidence for their assessment; health professionals and health systems decision-makers to monitor emerging evidence and evidence syntheses in specific areas that can inform clinical and public health practice and guidelines; and patients and communities directly affected by climate change to gain an overview of the literature relevant to the health risks they face and support the development of evidence-based preparedness and resilience strategies.