Contagious Conversations: Working Together to Tackle Climate Change and Health

Did you know the World Health Organization (WHO) now describes climate change as the greatest health threat of the 21st century? But how does climate change affect health? 

Everyone faces a health risk associated with climate change, including extreme weather events, worsening air quality, changes in the spread of infectious diseases, threats to food and water quality and quantity, and effects on our mental health.

WHO also states that the climate crisis threatens to undo the last 50 years of progress and development in global health and poverty reduction and to further widen existing health inequalities between and within populations. We explore the importance of having a national conversation about this issue and the health risks to us all with our President and CEO Judy Monroe, MD, in the latest episode of our Contagious Conversations podcast.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Monroe explains that while we all face risks, those living in communities with weak health infrastructure face the greatest challenges. She also emphasizes the vital importance of using an equity lens to address climate change and health inequities. I encourage everyone to listen to this episode and learn more about the importance of understanding this crisis facing us all. 

At the CDC Foundation, we are working to propel health to the forefront of the climate change conversation and accelerate the nation's resilience in the face of a changing world in five areas. These include building capacity for communities to improve their resilience, developing a national climate health workforce, building climate change leadership in public health, communicating the health impacts of climate change and reducing the healthcare system’s carbon footprint.

Learn more about how the CDC Foundation is working to tackle this issue and how you can help.