Media Advisory

Climate and Health Symposium Puts Science into Practice

What

The CDC and NIH will cohost in coordination with American Public Health Association (APHA), National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), a two-day symposium “Extreme Weather, Climate and Health: Putting Science into Practice.” This meeting is an opportunity for the research community and health departments to learn from each other about preparing for and responding to climate change.

When

January 30 and 31st 2013.

Where

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC

Background

Last fall, Hurricane Sandy caused over 8 million power outages in the Northeast along with nearly $50 billion in storm damage. Earlier in the year, a line of thunderstorms rushed across the nation leaving 3 million without electricity during an intense heat wave. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012 was the warmest year on record in the U.S., 3.2 degrees above average and a full degree higher than the previous record.

This meeting will highlight the latest research advances, surveillance data and best practices in various cities and states. There will be a special focus on the National Climate Assessment (NCA), health disparities, vulnerable populations and the long term impact of climate change. According to the NCA Climate change will add to the cumulative stresses already faced by vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, the poor, some communities of color, and people with chronic illnesses.

Important Instructions
Media wishing to attend should RSVP to Kerri Moran, kmoran@michaeldbaker.com
For more information about the two day symposium: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/conference/dert_climate_2012/index.cfm
For more information about CDC’s Climate and Health Program:  www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/default.htm.
For more information about NIEHS Climate and Human Health Research Program:
www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/sphb/programs/climate/index.cfm

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES