Climate and Community Health

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Working together, communities can prepare for and respond to the critical health effects of our changing climate. Here are just a few examples of the diverse partners that play a role.

vector graphic of meteorologists standing outside of a broadcast station
MEDIA / METEOROLOGISTS
How They Help
  • Report on the health impacts in your community
  • Report extreme weather alerts with recommended protective actions
  • Provide information on available community assistance, such as evacuation shelters and cooling centers
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
How They Help
  • Monitor health trends to identify new and emerging threats
  • Identify at-risk groups and mobilize community partners
  • Provide information on available community assistance
  • Provide extreme weather and air pollution alerts with recommended protective actions
  • Work with state health department to prepare
vector graphic of local health department staff standing outside of a building
vector graphic of health care providers standing outside of a clinic
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
How They Help
  • Educate patients about increased risks and protective actions
  • Develop emergency response plans for extreme weather
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
How They Help
  • Develop emergency response plans for extreme weather
  • Cool urban areas by adding heat-reflective surfaces and planting trees
  • Develop and implement long-term adaptation plans
  • Review building standards for increased resiliency
  • Work with state government to prepare
vector graphic of government staff standing outside of a government building
vector graphic of community-based groups standing by a truck
COMMUNITY-BASED GROUPS
How They Help
  • Provide emergency shelter and cooling centers
  • Provide transportation to emergency shelters
  • Distribute information on community assistance
  • Provide counseling after extreme weather events
SCHOOLS
How They Help
  • Provide emergency shelter and cooling centers
  • Safeguard student athletes during extreme heat
  • Provide counseling after extreme weather events
  • Integrate asthma education and support
vector graphic of a teach with her students standing in front of a school building

CLIMATE-READY STATES AND CITIES INITIATIVE
cdc.gov/climateandhealth

Communities are developing a coordinated response to health risks by using CDC’s Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework, a fve-step process for climate adaptation.

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Page last reviewed: October 11, 2019
Content source: National Center for Environmental Health