Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Environmental health impacts of a changing global climate include increased rates of asthma in children and adults, increased heat-related injury and death, displacement due to extreme weather events, mental health concerns, and other public health impacts. Local health departments (LHDs) are an important resource for community health, and accordingly should anticipate these effects. It is currently unknown how LHDs are currently serving communities in the context of climate and health, and demonstration sites organized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) aim to support these efforts.NACCHO announced a request for applications to identify local health departments with intermediate experience in preparing for climate change. The program then provided grants to these selected jurisdictions for small projects to mitigate negative health impacts of climate change. Finally, an evaluation was conducted to describe how LHDs could support and improve the health of communities in the future. Demonstration sites were organized in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center for Climate and Health.

Biography