As the impacts of climate change become more frequent and extreme, Oklahoma is likely to see warming temperatures, and increased variability of precipitation events and storms, which will significantly impact the health and prosperity of Oklahomans. These climate impacts will affect respiratory health, food security, and the local agricultural economy. Warning signs like this led the Tulsa City and County Health Department (TCCHD) to recognize the health threats of climate change, and to commit to doing something about it.

Climate change impacts all aspects of public health, from disaster recovery to disease control to social networks to issues of equity and access. San Francisco’s Climate and Health Program, started in 2010, is one of the most comprehensive models of what health departments can do to start planning for action on climate change. To learn more about the city’s framework, we asked Cyndy Comerford about challenges faced, lessons learned, advice for other departments, and more. Comerford describes the report’s distribution as “really just the tip of the iceberg” in acting on climate change.

Climate change is a known “threat multiplier,” posing the greatest danger for communities already bearing the burden of health and environmental challenges. On December 16, PHI partnered with Grantmakers in Health, the Health and Environmental Funders Network, and the Convergence Partnership to for a funders-only briefing on climate change, equity, and health.

PHI’s CA Convergence and RAMP co-hosted #PeoplePowerChange, a free public speaker series about resilience and community health, at the APHA annual conference. Check out photos from the event and learn more.

On November 12th, the Public Health Institute sponsored a legislative briefing, hosted by Assemblymember Rob Bonta, to inform California legislators and legislative staff about the threat that climate change poses to the health of their constituents. Speakers looked at the key impacts already affecting Californians, including worsening asthma, lack of access to clean water and healthy foods, and exposure to extreme heat. View the speakers’ presentation slides and learn more.