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Table 1 Time horizons for decision-making in the health sector [82]

From: Climate-proofing a malaria eradication strategy

Investment 2–5 decades

Carbon emissions mitigation strategies

Malaria eradication strategies

Major infrastructure investment

Workforce development

Strategic planning 6–20 years

Research and development of medical countermeasures (e.g., drugs, vaccines) and vector control tools (e.g., new insecticides)

Improving the nutritional content of crops

Health facility investments

Curriculum development

Policy cycles 2–5 years

4- to 5-year political cycle

Health service re-organization

2- to 5-year research grant cycle

Planning cycles < 2yrs

Annual planning and commissioning cycle

Demand for visible ‘quick wins’ from funders

Seasonal preparedness and response < 4 months

Seasonal planning cycle

Epidemic/disaster preparedness and response

Weekly facility management < 1 week

Weather disaster preparedness and response

Patient scheduling for non-urgent cases