Introduction:

The impact of climate change in Cuba requires adaptation actions. For the health sector, knowing and integrating ecosystem services contributes to the effectiveness of adaptation and security to human health.

Objective:

To address the contribution of ecosystem services to climate change adaptation and health.

Methods:

A quantitative approach structured in two stages was implemented in the research: diagnosis of the knowledge of human resources in the health sector on the impacts of climate change in the municipalities of Ciénaga de Zapata and Martí, and the incorporation of criteria on the contribution of ecosystem services to adaptation to climate change and health. Epidemiological methods were applied through documentary review, observation, and teamwork. The classification of ecosystem services was carried out according to the established international classification.

Results:

The relationship between ecosystem services of the areas, the impacts of socioeconomic activities and the benefits they offer to adaptation to climate change and health is analyzed. It was identified that health sector workers do not perceive climate variability as a risk and consider their knowledge insufficient.

Conclusions:

Ecosystem services contribute to adaptation to climate change, since they provide resources and are processes that support socioeconomic activities. Capacity-building actions must be intentional and refocused on evidence of basing adaptation on maintaining the flow of these services.

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