Research Project

Climate and Health Institute

Principal Investigator: Grossman, Elena
Start Date: 2022-07-18
End Date: 2025-07-30
Research Area(s): Emerging Topics; Environmental Health
Funding Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Abstract

Climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity, yet public health professionals do not identify it as a priority nor perceive they have the knowledge or capacity to address it. The Chicagoland area faces several climate-change challenges that are already impacting people’s health. Communities of color and low-income communities are at an increased risk based on historic disinvestment; particularly related to where these communities are located, how they are built, and baseline health status (e.g., higher asthma prevalence). CHI aims: 1) to prepare future public health professionals to address the public health impacts from climate change through a 2-year training program (CHI); and 2) to increase knowledge and awareness, among civic leaders and community members in environmental justice communities, about climate change, public health impacts, and strategies to address it.