Advancing scientific understanding of climate, improving society’s ability to plan and respond
Advancing scientific understanding of climate, improving society’s ability to plan and respond
In recent years, there has been an alarming uptick in the number and geographic spread of mosquito-borne diseases, and the places where mosquitoes can thrive due to the temperature and precipitation of the area are shifting and growing as global temperatures rise and precipitation becomes more variable.
The system tracks places and times in the United States and neighboring regions when climate factors might enhance transmission of illnesses like Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya spread by species of Aedes mosquitoes.
The projects focus on linkages between climate and infectious diseases, heat and/or food systems and nutrition.
Climatic conditions and extreme events have substantial implications for human health and well-being around the world. CPO’s International Research and Applications Project (IRAP), joined with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make research funding available to address key knowledge gaps, and advance the use of climate information and services in the reduction of climate-sensitive health risks through the Belmont Forum’s Collaborative Research Action on Climate, Environment and Health.
The project will help improve National Weather Service (NWS) messaging related to heat health in the U.S.-Mexico transboundary region, and could potentially be extended to other NWS activities beyond the area.
Held amid a dengue fever outbreak, Republic of the Marshall Islands Secretary of Health Jack Niedenthal noted during the event that climate impacts on health are not merely something the country needs to prepare for in the future – they are happening right now.
The webinar will highlight an ongoing International Research and Applications Project-funded project to explore trends in historical heat extremes and heat-related mortality and morbidity in the border cities of San Diego-Tijuana and Calexico-Mexicali, as well as the reach and effectiveness of heat-health messaging by area National Weather Service Offices and public health agencies.
A team of researchers supported by CPO’s International Research and Applications Project (IRAP) will convene the one-day workshop in Puerto Rico in February 2020.
The impact of climate on public health and well-being is emerging as a key challenge that society faces today, and one which will likely continue to increase as the climate changes.
The seminar took place on Wednesday, October 2nd from 10-11am EST.