Regional Mountain Conference

As climate-related Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) increasingly threaten population health and the functioning of health systems, there is a growing need for adaptive, context-specific preparedness tools developed collaboratively with relevant local stakeholders. This study presents the co-creation and piloting processes of a disaster preparedness Checklist for health systems, designed to strengthen preparedness for EWEs across Alpine areas in Europe. The tool was co-developed and pilot-tested with health system representatives from four participating countries (i.e., Austria, France, Romania and Slovenia), as part of the European Horizon MOUNTADAPT, a project dedicated to climate adaptation in Alpine regions of Europe. The development of the Disaster Preparedness Checklist followed a multi-step co-creation process that combined research skills, specialized technical knowledge (e.g., mountain medicine, disaster risk), as well as local experiential understanding of the territory and the country’s disaster risk management structure and health system. The process unfolded through several phases: a tailored assessment of disaster risk management needs in each area; the co-creation of the specific adaptation tool, its scientific validation, and real-world testing; and finally, the evaluation of the tool and dissemination of results to inform sessions with stakeholders. The co-creation approach produced a final product with strong user acceptance. The co‑creation methodology also facilitated meaningful knowledge exchange among participants and enhanced internal reflection and dialogue on disaster preparedness among stakeholders. Completion of the Disaster Preparedness Checklist further revealed areas where preparedness efforts could be strengthened, including enhancing the role of specific sectors (e.g., primary care, public health) and improving communication, early warning systems, and community integration.
These findings highlight the value of co-creation approaches in the disaster preparedness field and underscore their potential to enhance the effectiveness and uptake of health system preparedness tools in the context of climate-related EWEs.