CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH EQUITY

Climate and Health Equity Advisory Group (CHEAG)

An initiative supported by the CDPH Climate Change & Health Equity (CCHE) Branch

Advising CDPH in Addressing Climate Change and Health Equity

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has formed a group of volunteer advisors called the Climate and Health Equity Advisory Group (CHEAG). The CHEAG is composed of a diverse group of members from across the state with lived experience and/or expertise on the health and equity impacts of climate change in California.

The main goal of the CHEAG is to support CDPH’s mission of improving the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities by advising on CDPH’s climate change and health equity-related programs and activities.

The CHEAG will elevate the expertise and experiences of communities on the front lines of climate change-related hazards (including extreme heat, wildfires and smoke, severe storms and flooding, and/or other climate or environmental hazards) and those who work closely with these communities. The CHEAG will also connect CDPH with individuals and organizations working to prevent and strengthen resilience to climate change-related hazards within California’s communities. During regular meetings facilitated by CDPH’s Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE) Branch, the CHEAG learns about and advises on current CDPH programs and initiatives related to climate change and health equity.

Climate change is the greatest global health threat of the 21st century, touching all aspects of our health and wellbeing—affecting access to basic needs of clean air, food, water, shelter and safety. Climate change-related health impacts can include heat-related illness and death; wildfire smoke and air pollution that worsen cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and adverse birth outcomes; injury and loss of life from wildfires, severe storms and flooding; vector-borne, fungal, water-borne and food-borne diseases; asthma and allergies; as well as longer-term impacts such as degraded living conditions, food system impacts and forced migration. These climate effects, along with the loss of livelihoods, property loss and displacement, can result in long-lasting mental health impacts.

CHEAG Goals

Inform and advance climate change and health equity-related projects and programs within CDPH.
Collaborate with a diverse cohort from across the state, representing communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and those involved in climate change and health equity efforts.
Identify gaps in CDPH’s climate change and health equity-related programs and priorities.
Advise CDPH on community perspectives, strategic planning and funding opportunities to advance critical work on climate change and health.

Interested in Joining the CHEAG?

*The CHEAG 2025 cohort has been selected and the application is now closed. If you are interested in applying to the CHEAG, please check in again early next year (2026) for updates on potential future rounds of recruitment.*

Thank you for your time and interest!

If you are interested in being considered for the opportunity to serve on the CHEAG as a volunteer advisor, please visit the Apply to be a CHEAG Volunteer Advisor web page.