Shared Vision and Action Plan for Climate Change and Health Equity: ​State and Local Health Department Action Steps

The Shared Vision and Action Plan for CDPH and California local health jurisdictions will outline shared climate and health equity goals and actions over the next 5–7 years. This collaborative process will provide a near-term roadmap for alignment and prevent duplication of efforts. Community engagement is shaping the development of the Shared Vision and Action Plan to directly inform what health departments can do to address the health and equity impacts of climate change.

Although this Shared Vision and Action Plan is for CDPH and local health jurisdictions, you don't need to be a health department to participate! This planning process is an opportunity for community partners, Tribes and local health departments to guide CDPH's work in climate and health equity. 

Goals

• Guide CDPH actions to address climate change as a health equity issue over the next 5–7 years.
• Suggest climate and health priorities for local health jurisdictions over the next 5–7 years.
• Explore opportunities for alignment, supportive partnership and reducing duplication of climate health action across the state.

Main Activities and Timeline

• Engagement with local health jurisdictions
• Collaboration with CDPH and other State agencies
• Community engagement with Tribes and community-based organizations to inform and co-develop the plan. The main activities include:
• Key informant interviews with community-based organizations and Tribes
• Focus groups with community-based organization leaders
• Public listening session open to all Californians
• Open comment period on the draft action plan
  

Key Partners

• California communities most at risk or impacted by climate change
• Local health jurisdictions
• Community-based organizations
• Tribes, and American Indian- and Alaska Native-serving organizations
• Other CDPH centers, divisions and offices
• Other State agencies

Why a Shared Vision and Action Plan?

Developing the Shared Vision and Action Plan is pursuant to the California Climate Adaptation Strategy, mandated by Assembly Bill 1482 (Gordon, 2015). The Climate Adaptation Strategy links together State agencies' existing and planned climate adaptation efforts. The Strategy calls for CDPH to "collaborate with local health departments and communities facing climate and health inequities to develop a shared vision and action plan for protecting health equity and well-being in a changing climate," a recommendation from local health jurisdictions and community partners to support coordination of local and state efforts. This effort also aligns with the CDPH 2025-2030 Strategic Plan strategy to: “Promote and build partnerships to advance public health policy and planning to address the effects of climate change on health and equity."