The health impacts of climate change affect all, disproportionately affect the vulnerable and disadvantaged, and threaten the systems on which human life depends – our air, water, food, shelter, and security. Climate change and strategies to address it directly or indirectly impact virtually all of the fundamental determinants of population health. Aggressive action on climate change is critical and urgent.
The Center supports efforts that reduce long-term climate change, promote climate resilient communities, protect all people from the health impacts of climate change, and optimize health and health equity outcomes and co-benefits.
Strategic Objectives
- Promote health equity and climate justice
- Develop capacity building and leadership programs that address climate and health
- Promote co-benefits from climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies across multiple sectors
- Advocate for policy change at the local, state, national and international levels
- Develop evidence-based training
- Provide forums for diverse sectors to engage, connect and share information
The Center serves as home to some projects focusing primarily or exclusively on climate change and health.
At the same time, because the implications of climate change for health are so far-reaching, climate change work also takes place within PHI programs focused on respiratory health; chronic disease prevention; healthy food systems; land use and transportation; regional collaboration among local health departments; environmental health surveillance; sexual and reproductive health rights; global health; and more.
The Center therefore also serves as a hub for climate change work across PHI programs, bringing together the best thinking of public health leaders throughout PHI.
And finally, PHI and the Center collaborate with partners in health, public health and other sectors, from government, the non-profit world and business to address the complex, cross-cutting challenge and opportunity that climate change represents.