Improving public health's response to climate change
“There is a signficant gap between anticipated needs and the field's readiness to respond.”
— Alexandra Destler, PHI project director
- One-year program with two to three face-to-face meetings and online activities
- Cross-sector teams will collaborate on community projects
- Target audience will include leaders from different sectors
- Tuition model will include scholarships, sponsorships and regular tuition
PHI incubates climate change and public health center
Climate change is happening--now. That much is clear, according to prevailing science. And the list of alarming health problems associated with climate change is long.
As temperatures rise, public health officials predict that: the number of weather-related deaths and injuries will swell, vector-borne infectious diseases will spread, respiratory and cardiovascular problems will worsen as air quality deteriorates, allergic symptoms will become more severe as allergen production increase, and nutritional shortages will increase as food production changes. Society's most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged populations are likely to suffer the most from these negative health effects.
Yet a recent study prepared by researchers from George Mason University, the National Association of County & City Health Officials, Environmental Defense Fund and other organizations shows that the public health community is not prepared to deal with the many negative health impacts of climate change.
“The impacts are many, but so far public health has been reactive, not proactive,” said environmental sustainability expert Alexandra Destler, who is spearheading efforts to start a new climate change and public health center at the Public Health Institute (PHI). “There is a significant gap between anticipated needs and the field’s readiness to respond.”
A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH
To figure out how PHI can help bridge this gap, Destler is taking a multipronged approach. With funds from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Hospira Foundation, Destler is assessing how PHI can add most value to the work already underway, developing partnerships with organizations such as the California Coalition for Clean Air, educating PHI’s internal community about the link between public health and climate change, and planning PHI’s first center dedicated to public health and climate change.
When funded, the Public Health and Climate Change Leaders Program will provide program participants a range of programming focused on addressing the public health impacts of climate change. The center's target audience will include leaders from sectors as varied as public health, government, agriculture, transportation, energy and health care. It will offer participants intensive leadership training focused on health and climate change that will include multi-sector team-based community projects, online tools and two to three face-to-face meetings. The center will also develop technical tools and conduct applied research.
Positioning PHI as a leader and educator in the fight against climate change is a logical next step since public health is often the first line of defense in many communities, said Destler. And working closely with communities to change people’s behaviors also presents a unique opportunity to bring about public health and environmental co-benefits, she added. For example, walking to work or eating less meat can improve both the environment and someone’s health.
"The potential co-benefits of changing individual behavior are tremendous," said Destler. "I am thrilled that PHI is committed to this critical issue."
