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Climate Change Adaptation Activities and Needs in US State and Territorial Health Agencies

Nicole A Errett¹, Kathleen Dolan, Cat Hartwell

¹Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Drs Errett, Vickery, and Hess and Ms Hartwell); Center for Health and the Global Environment, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Drs Errett and Hess); Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Washington, District of Columbia (Ms Dolan); Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Dr Hess); and Department of Global Health, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Dr Hess).

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice : JPHMP

|February 2, 2023

Abstract

Objective:

To characterize US State and Territorial Health Agencies' (S/THA) climate change adaptation activities and priorities to facilitate appropriate investments, skills development, and support that will strengthen health sector capacity in response to a changing climate.

Design:

In 2021, we conducted an online survey of S/THA staff requesting information on current activities related to climate change and health, the state of climate and health programming, and anticipated needs and priorities for assistance. We analyzed survey results using descriptive statistics.

Setting:

US State and Territorial Health Agencies.

Participants:

We received responses from 41 of 59 S/THAs (69.5%).

Main Outcome Measures:

Implementation of S/THA climate and health programs (CHPs); engagement in climate and health activities; maintenance of hazard early warning systems and action plans; employment of climate and health communications strategies; capability to assess risks and adaptation needs related to various climate-sensitive conditions; priorities and plans for climate change adaptation in relation to climate-sensitive health risks; climate change adaptation-related partnerships and collaborations; requests of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) for advancing climate change adaptation activities; and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on climate change work.

Results:

Nineteen S/THAs reported having CHPs, the majority of which are federally funded. On average, S/THAs without CHPs reported engagement in fewer climate and health activities and more early warning activities. The S/THAs reported the highest levels of concerns regarding non-vector-borne infectious disease (66%), vector-borne infectious diseases (61%), and extreme heat (61%) hazards.

Conclusions:

As S/THAs with CHPs report substantially greater climate and health capacity than those without, additional federal and state investments (eg, Building Resilience Against Climate Effects [BRACE]) are urgently needed to catalyze climate and health capacity.

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