Role of county and city health departments in confronting global climate change

County and city health departments, on the front lines of public health, face unique challenges in addressing health threats related to global climate change. The National Association of City and County Health Officials, or NACCHO, has established a working group on climate change to help define the organization's role in assisting its members in their efforts. NACCHO plays a critical role in educating and coordinating city and county health officials on public health issues in general. Most of the health threats expected to be exacerbated by climate change are the current purview of city and county health officials: heat stress, air pollution, vector-borne infectious diseases, water and food-borne infectious disease outbreaks. While addressing health threats of climate change will involve enhancing preparedness for these problems, NACCHO has an additional role to play in raising both NACCHO member and general public awareness of the broader threats to human health and well-being around the world from global climate change. Such awareness raising, as well as articulation of the public health co-benefits that can come from greenhouse gas reduction policies, can aid primary prevention of climate change health effects. This presentation will discuss NACCHO's current activities and future plans for mobilizing the city and county health officials on climate change issues.