Science Policy to Advance a Climate Change and Health Research Agenda in the United States

Abstract

Climate change is thought to be one of the greatest public health threats of the 21st century and there has been a tremendous growth in the published literature describing the health implications of climate change over the last decade. Yet, there remain several critical knowledge gaps in this field. Closing these gaps is crucial to developing effective interventions to minimize the health risks from climate change. In this commentary, we discuss policy trends that have influenced the advancement of climate change and health research in the United States context. We then enumerate specific knowledge gaps that could be addressed by policies to advance scientific research. Finally, we describe tools and methods that have not yet been fully integrated into the field, but hold promise for advancing the science. Prioritizing this advancement offers the potential to improve public health-related policies on climate change.

Climate change and human health in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East: Literature review, research priorities and policy suggestions

“…Our capacity to predict the effects of climate change on human health is largely based on our understanding of the exposure-response functions 4 of human beings. However, the empirical evidence available to evaluate these functions does not cover all health aspects potentially influenced by climatic factors ( Madrigano et al, 2021 ). More research is required, for example, on the effects of dust exposure on chronic health conditions ( Lelieveld et al, 2015 ), the effects of air pollution caused by wildfires on respiratory and neurologic health, and the effects of climate change on children's overall health ( Madrigano et al, 2021 ; Sheffield et al, 2018 ).…”

“…However, the empirical evidence available to evaluate these functions does not cover all health aspects potentially influenced by climatic factors ( Madrigano et al, 2021 ). More research is required, for example, on the effects of dust exposure on chronic health conditions ( Lelieveld et al, 2015 ), the effects of air pollution caused by wildfires on respiratory and neurologic health, and the effects of climate change on children's overall health ( Madrigano et al, 2021 ; Sheffield et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, we need to develop better tools to evaluate the psychological effects of human displacement, particularly for children and women ( Brennan and Nandy, 2001 ).…”

“…Most of our current understanding of the influence of climate change on human health is based on the effects of severe weather events (such as heat waves), which are typically short-lived. Little information is available, however, on the effects of long-term exposure to persistent climatic change, such as the gradual increase in average temperatures or low-level increases in the concentration of air pollutants ( Madrigano et al, 2021 ; Wolf et al, 2021 ; Dirgawati et al, 2019 ). In addition, data on long-term exposure to climatic change is often focused on mortality instead of disease incidence ( Wolf et al, 2021 ).…”

“…changes in local attitudes and practices) or planned (e.g. development of early warning systems and response strategies) ( Madrigano et al, 2021 ).…”

Resilience and Equity in a Time of Crises: Investing in Public Urban Greenspace Is Now More Essential Than Ever in the US and Beyond

“…The world is currently facing several intertwined and urgent global health crisesclimate change [1,2], COVID-19 [3], and structural racism [4]-as well as the endemic challenges of chronic conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) that are persistent leading causes of death. The confluence of these crises, long in the making, has brought health inequities into sharp focus, particularly in the US, where a highly polarized political landscape has magnified these challenges and policymaking for each crisis has become intertwined with the battle for political power.…”