Finding Common Ground: Advancing Health Equity and Building Community Resilience to Climate Change

A growing body of evidence suggests that low-income, racially, and ethnically diverse populations are especially susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, often facing greater morbidity and mortality than the general population. Our 2012 climate change report suggests that many vulnerable communities are at risk of facing the “perfect storm” from greater exposure to climate-related events such as air pollution and extreme heat, lower socioeconomic status, poorer health and healthcare access, and cultural/linguistic barriers. The 2012 report also identified serious gaps in climate change planning and programs for low-income and diverse communities. Building on this work, our current research is documenting replicable models and strategies for engaging diverse communities and building their resilience to climate change. Our project design includes an extensive review and synthesis of climate change related programs and policies addressing vulnerable communities across the U.S.; development of criteria and analysis of data on major U.S. cities to select a subset of  15 representing a range of geographic, population, and climate-related dynamics; an in-depth review and analysis  of city and local level innovations and interventions for advancing community resilience to climate change; and semi-structured key informant interviews with local stakeholders working to advancing climate change adaptation and resilience. Findings highlight in particular which cities are leading and lagging in addressing climate change resilience for diverse communities, while presenting specific opportunities, replicable models, and practice-based recommendations on building community resilience.  Models related to community engagement, outreach and education, cross-sector collaboration, and community assessments will be discussed among other actions and ingredients necessary to build community resilience and advance health equity. The session will close with a discussion of common barriers and challenges that cities face to addressing climate change in diverse communities, and offer practical strategies for overcoming them.