As one of the biggest public health threats today, climate change is a health equity issue.
Authored by Public Health Institute with support from APHA, the Kresge Foundation, and the California Department of Public Health, Climate Change....
Who We Are
Climate change is one of the biggest health emergencies we face today. Join APHA in taking swift, ambitious action to mitigate the health effects of climate change. Visit APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity, which leads public health efforts to inspire action on climate and health equity, advance policy and galvanize the field to address the climate crisis.
View all topics related to Climate, Health and Equity:
| How Climate Change Impacts Health | |||
| JEDI Playbook |
Latest Updates
- Read Understanding Energy Insecurity in the Field: A Toolkit for Community Members, Researchers and Local Practitioners
- Calling all students: Apply for APHA’s Student Champions for Climate Justice Awards
- Download and use A Public Health Approach to Building Mental Wellness and Resilience in the Face of the Climate Crisis.
- Read the Building Power with Environmental Justice Communities: Recommendations for Equitable Grantmaking. (In partnership with Tallahassee Food Network and Moving Forward Network)
- Take the APHA-specific Climate for Health Ambassadors training for free and earn three CE credits. (In partnership with ecoAmerica)
Featured Resources
- Watch the Building Trust-based Community Partnerships for Public Health Professionals for free or purchase for CE credit.
Watch the Climate Communications Bootcamp for free or purchase for CE credit.- Join our ECO Bookworms book club. We promote a new book every month on all our social media platforms. Use our questions to help your Early Climate Optimists ask the questions they have about their environment.
- Join our Student Champions for Climate Justice LinkedIn group, a virtual gathering space for students who are passionate about the health of people and the condition of our planet. Meet past awardees and read about recent projects.
Why Is Climate Change a Public Health Issue?
As rising global temperatures disrupt the interconnected systems in our environment, we are vulnerable to catastrophic conditions.
Extreme heat, severe storms, air pollution, wildfires and the spread of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases threaten the physical and mental health of all communities.
APHA focuses on protecting populations who are disproportionately affected, including people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness and outdoor workers.
Learn more:
Get Involved:
Sign up for the climate and health newsletter to stay current on the center’s activities and opportunities!
Follow us and join the #ClimateChangesHealth conversation on our dedicated X account.
Questions? Email the APHA's Center for Climate, Health and Equity.
Learn More:
View all articles in The Nation's Health related to climate change.
Featured articles:
- Special section: Advancing climate justice (Fall 2022)
- Special section: Climate justice and health: Working together to achieve change (Spring 2020)
- Climate change will worsen pollen allergies (February/March 2023)
- Climate change experts: ‘It is vital to reduce emissions now’ (February/March 2023)
- Climate change increasingly harming mental health: Resource-poor communities in US, across globe at high risk (November/December 2022)
- States not waiting on Congress to take action on climate change (September 2022)
- Editorial: Climate change affects us all, but it doesn’t impact us equally (September 2022)
View all articles in Public Health Newswire related to climate change.
Featured articles:
- Students lead projects on climate justice (October 2023)
- Climate change harms children's health: An urgent call for collaborative action (October 2023)
- Growing disasters add to need for mental health services (July 2023)
- On Earth Day and beyond, youth are essential for tackling climate change (April 2023)
- APHA toolkit can help high schoolers make connection on climate, health (April 2023)
- Students inspire action on climate justice in their communities (March 2023)
- Learning to tell climate change stories, engage with policymakers (March 2023)
- Teachers inspire students to take action on climate through APHA’s book club (December 2022)
- Encouraging the next generation of climate leaders (November 2022)
View all APHA fact sheets related to climate change.
View all American Journal of Public Health articles related to climate change.
Read the latest Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change: Policy Brief for the U.S.
Infographic: How Climate Change Affects Your Health
American Climate Perspectives Survey 2022, Vol. II, in partnership with ecoAmerica
- Part 1: Are Americans Making the Climate and Health Connection? (PDF)
- Part 2: Climate Change Sparks Emotional Responses (PDF)
Fact sheets on energy justice (special thanks to Partnership for Southern Equity for their thoughtful review)
- Energy Justice and Climate Change: Key Concepts for Public Health (PDF)
- How public health professionals can advance an energy just future (PDF)
Watch Energy Equity and Public Health videos.
Climate-relevant COVID-19 resources
- Preparing for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)
- Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)
- COVID-19 and Cooling Centers (CDC)
- Dual Disaster Handbook (American Flood Coalition)
Fact sheets on the health impacts of climate change (all are PDFs)
Alaska | California | Midwest | Northeast | Northern Great Plains | Southeast | Southern Great Plains | Southwest
Fact sheet template and guides to help you create maps and find data to populate your location-specific factsheet:
Factsheet template (DOC) | Generating Environmental Health Maps (PDF) | Generating Climate Change Maps (PDF)
