Coastal and tropical regions, characterized by their dense population and economic vibrancy, are vital hubs for trade, tourism, and industry. However, these areas are facing escalating threats due to the impacts of climate change, resulting in profound changes in their physical and ecological landscapes. A critical dimension of this challenge is the emergence of climate-sensitive health risks in in coastal and tropical living environments. Climate change is leading to interconnected challenges in coastal and tropical living environments. Rising sea levels, intensified storms, coastal erosion, and altered precipitation patterns are increasing the vulnerability of these regions to extreme weather events, flooding, and the spread of diseases. These climate-induced changes have both direct and indirect consequences on human health, making it imperative to comprehensively understand, anticipate, and mitigate the associated risks.

Coastal and tropical communities are particularly susceptible to extreme weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, leading to severe damage, displacement, and physical and psychological health impacts. Additionally, rising sea levels and increased flooding can contaminate water sources, resulting in outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, with significant implications for public health. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns expand the range of disease vectors like mosquitoes, exposing coastal populations to diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus. Moreover, the higher temperatures often experienced in coastal areas due to their proximity to oceans can lead to heat-related illnesses and exacerbate preexisting health conditions. Constant exposure to climate-related risks, displacement, and loss of livelihoods can also cause stress, anxiety, and mental health issues among coastal communities.

There is a pressing need for comprehensive research and adaptive strategies to address these climate-sensitive health risks in coastal and tropical living environments. Research should focus on understanding the specific vulnerabilities of coastal and tropical communities, the pathways through which climate change impacts health, and the development of effective mitigation and adaptation measures. Public health interventions, disaster preparedness plans, and community engagement initiatives must be developed and implemented to enhance resilience in coastal and tropical living environments.

Faculty of Public Health want to contribute to the knowledge base on climate-sensitive health risks in in coastal and tropical living environments and propose practical solutions to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable coastal and tropical populations. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration with local communities and stakeholders, we aim to develop a holistic approach to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change in coastal and tropical living environments through International Confrence of Public Health-Tropical and Coastal Development (ICOPH-TCD) 2024. ICOPH-TCD is an international conference routinely organized by the Faculty of Public Health at Diponegoro University (UNDIP) since 2016. It involves collaboration among various speakers from different countries, as well as presenters who deliver papers related to public health in the fields of Biostatistics and Demography, Health Promotion, Occupational Health and Safety, Reproductive Health, Epidemiology and Tropical Diseases, Community Nutrition, Environmental Health, as well as Health Administration and Policy.

Furthermore, this international conference is also expected to create opportunities for collaboration between UNDIP in general and the Faculty of Public Health at Diponegoro University in particular in the areas of research, visiting lectures, and student exchanges with various healthcare and educational institutions in different countries. As part of its implementation, a call for papers is also held, serving as a platform for disseminating research findings on public health and as a means to increase the number of high-quality publications published in reputable journals and proceedings.”

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