Oral

Public health will be at the forefront of managing the health impacts of global climate change and this session will demonstrate current and potential tools and models for engagement by public health officials and agencies in preparing for and responding to global climate change. Presenters will: analyze the findings of the ASTHO Climate Change Collaborative’s 2009 survey regarding the capacity of state and territorial health agencies to address climate change and discuss a future course of action to help state and territorial health agencies to better prepare for climate change; describe how the Louisville (KY) Climate Change Committee developed an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas levels; identify measurable indicators associated with climate change and health and related data sources; and investigate models of remote sensing-based early warning systems for climate change and health adaptation in Africa.

Session Objectives: • Describe current status and examples of U.S. public health agencies’ participation in climate change mitigation and adaptation activities and identify capacity needs of state and territorial health agencies to address climate change • List indicators and related data sources associated with climate change and health • Describe the importance of climate-based early warning systems for adapting to negative health outcomes of climate change.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)