Confronting climate change health risks in the Pacific Northwest

Climate change has serious consequences for public health, with effects varying among communities. University of Washington researchers are investigating the impact of climate change on health in three Pacific Northwest counties. One research team is using quantitative risk analysis to forecast the health impacts of increasing heat events and worsening air pollution in those communities. A second research team is collecting information about community attitudes, needs and resources related to climate change. The findings of both study components are then used to work with the local health departments in developing communication strategies and credible messages that effectively engage their communities (policy makers and the public) in actions to address the health effects of climate change. Local health departments are active partners in shaping the research, and the specificity of the research findings enables public health officials to identify the most vulnerable populations and make evidence-based decisions about programs and policies. Using this research, local health departments may opt to focus on reducing the factors that contribute to climate change (mitigation), on reducing the severity of health impacts (adaptation), or a combination of the two.