Building the U.S. Climate and Health Science Plan: Redefining the Path Forward

A healthy population is the underpinning for communities that thrive and which support a stable economic base. The field of climate and health, while quite broad, has grown rapidly in the past decade. Already floods, droughts and heatwaves are on the rise and will be more frequent and intense. Climate related changes in ecological and food production systems have, and will continue to, change the range of disease vectors, water-related illnesses, and the quality of our food. Adaptation efforts, including health-related Early Warning Systems are underway at multiple levels of government and can serve as models from which to learn. Yet the scientific information and tools are not regularly taken up and implemented by decision-makers—but there are many examples where this happens in a more ad hoc manner.

Scientific progress to date has been made largely through specific programs and grants that focus efforts on an aspect of this problem and without a coordinated research plan or collaboration on priorities. The problem—ranging from the ability to predict health risks on multiple time scales, to adaptation responses, to intervention and action—is multifaceted and the threat is growing. In addition, other science and decision making communities, such as disaster risk and response, sustainable development, security and global health, have increasing interests at the climate and health interface. And, other countries, non-governmental organizations and foundations are increasingly engaged in climate and health science and action. The substantial progress needed to face these future challenges requires a more coordinated and purposeful approach.

Lead by the US Global Change Research Program’s (USGCRP) Climate Change and Human Health Cross-cutting Group (CCHHG), the United States is undertaking the development of a comprehensive Climate and Health Science Plan. The Plan will identify critical science gaps including research, data, operational, communication and adaptation needs to improve the health and well-being of US citizens and communities affected by changing climate conditions. As the needs for decision makers become clear, the scientific questions evolve, and multiple government and non-governmental institutions demonstrate increasing interest, a cohesive plan is needed to help align strengths, capacity and funding. To move the Community forward in a coordinated and synergistic fashion requires a comprehensive plan and path to implement. The US Climate and Health Science Plan is designed to provide a more unified approach and clarity of science priorities needed to protect the health and security of US Citizens and interests at home and abroad as climate changes and extreme weather events increase.

To build this Plan, the CCHHG is implementing an innovative approach with a combination of targeted workshops, a federal focus, as well as academic and private sector engagement and input. The plan will draw on findings of the Climate and Health Assessment and will strengthen alignments with several communities that now address an intersection of climate and health including: Disaster Risk Reduction, National Security, the Global Health Security Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, Global Health, Earth Observation, and Planetary Health/One Health. The Plan and its process are designed to inform, engage, and inspire links across these communities and with efforts in the broader international arena. This presentation will cover the goals of the Plan, the process and time line, and opportunities for engagement.