We work with programs across CDPH to protect people in California from the health impacts of climate change. Our team tracks, studies, and acts on health effects related to wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding. 

As part of these efforts, we are developing a real-time data system to monitor climate ​change-related health effects. This system will help public health departments, first responders, and communities stay informed and take action to protect peoples’ health during climate-related events.

Our team has expertise in health research and analysis, data access and visualization, and health education, outreach, and communications.​

Our work

​​	​Investigate climate-related health impacts to improve understanding of how trends in weather, air quality, and extreme events affect health
	Collaborate with government, research, community, and other partners to address climate-related health challenges
​ ​	​Provide technical assistance to help local communities prepare for and reduce climate-related health impacts​​​
	​Create clear and accessible health education and communications on how to protect our health from climate-related events​​
	​Produce data, research, and tools to identify and reduce the health effects of climate change​​

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​Spotlight on our work​​ Prescribed fire is used as an intentional tool to reduce the intensity and spread of uncontrolled wildfire. Although for a beneficial purpose, the harmful effects of prescribed fire smoke may still pose a health concern. Since there is little information on prescribed fire smoke and health, we created the Public Health Impacts of Prescribed Fire (PHIRE) study. Read more

​​​​Why this work matters

Fossil-fuel driven climate change is considered one of the biggest public health threats of the 21st century. Changes in weather patterns resulting in extreme weather events, drought, wildfires, and increased air pollution affect both physical and mental health. Air pollution, for example, contributes to a number of illnesses, including asthma, heart disease, and stroke. 

Our team strives to make data and information accessible and useful to a variety of partners, strengthening our state’s ability to cope with climate change. Working together, we can protect our health and the health of our communities from the impacts of our increasingly unstable climate.

Focus on racial and health equity

The term “racial and health equity” refers to ensuring fairness and justice around race and health. Many of us live in communities that already face racial and health equity challenges. ​Climate change affects those of us who are most vulnerable to its health effects first and worst. Our team engages with communities to understand their needs and make sure that their voices shape our recommendations, so that they are useful for everyone in California. ​​

Contact us​​