Since the founding of AMS in 1920, understanding the interconnections between weather and health has been a core interest and motivation of the society. Early records of the AMS include numerous articles on “physiological meteorology” debating the influence of climate on health. In the 1950s-60s members of the AMS played a key role establishing the negative effects of air pollution on human health, driving efforts to reduce pollution. Each year members of the AMS do essential work understanding the linkages between the environment and health, including but not limited to heat stress, rainfall, disease,  and morbidity/mortality, driving towards improved resilience, warning, and prediction systems. 11 years ago the AMS Board of Environment and Health (BEH) was established to provide a home for this important dialogue.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the AMS, and in joint between the Board of Environment and Health and History Symposium, this session explores the history of environment and health research. We welcome a wide range of topics, but particularly encourage submissions related to the history of health-related research in the AMS, past extreme events (ie the 1995 Chicago heat wave; Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico) and revolutionary prior studies which have altered the trajectory of environment and health research, and interactions between meteorologists, epidemiologists, and health practitioners that have shaped local and national health policy. We hope that this session will provide perspective on the previous 100 years of environment and health research, to shape innovative and productive research agendas for the next century.