Oral

Climate change is a reality that nations across the globe are experiencing firsthand with threats to food supply, economic productivity and public health security increasingly at risk. As the world braces for a warmer and wetter or in some cases drier planet, public health and environmental managers are faced with understanding and planning for how a changing climate will influence health risks associated with extreme weather events and emerging exposures and illness originating from marine, freshwater and drinking water sources. This session will provide perspectives from public and environmental health professionals on the frontline working together to address the rising health concerns from climate change. Panelists will include local, state, regional and national case studies that describe current conditions being managed for, and examples of what professionals should aware of and prepared to address with future climate change scenarios.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss information regarding current and potential climate change related - human health risks that stem from the ocean, coasts and other water sources. 2. Assess the right tools to make management decisions to reduce health threats to communities at risk. 3. Identify additional needs of the public health and environmental health community to better equip practioners and managers with the appropriate information and tools to make decisions to address current and future climate change scenarios. 4. Explain lesser known or emerging ocean, coastal, freshwater and drinking water related health threats associated with climate change by bringing together multiple sectors of public and environmental health professionals.

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