Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Vector-borne diseases and air quality issues are the primary risks addressed through the Maine Monitoring Network. Maine's program has developed a real-time data dashboard to track cases of tick-borne illness, such as Lyme disease, and tick-related emergency department visits, which helps health officials understand the spread of ticks and how the changing climate affects the tick life cycle. At the same time, they created a pollen monitoring network to provide continuous real-time data on pollen and other airborne allergens. This information is public on the Maine Monitoring Network dashboard and allows residents to understand the incidence of airborne and airborne allergens in their area.
Massachusetts Department of Health
The Massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Report identified the need to strengthen public health and health care infrastructure to promote climate resilient communities. To help meet this need, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) awarded grants to local health departments and launched a vulnerability mapping tool to support climate adaptation planning. Local public health departments can assess the need for adaptation efforts, operate municipal heating and cooling centers with emergency preparedness partners, and conduct health impact assessments of climate action strategies.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
As temperatures rise, some New York communities face a disproportionate risk of heat-related illness and death. The 'Be a Buddy' program was implemented to mobilize residents and local organizations to check on residents who are older, disabled and live alone on hot days. The program strengthened relationships between residents and local organizations to reduce the risk of extreme heat and other weather emergencies in four lower-income communities.
New York State Department of Health
New Yorkers are experiencing increased heat and are particularly vulnerable as the built environment is not designed to adapt to warming temperatures. New York is promoting social media messaging about specific and protective health behaviors, such as how to find a nearby cooling center and how to sign up for the state's Heating and Cooling Assistance Benefit (HEAP). These messages increased awareness of healthy behaviors during extreme heat, use of state programs such as HEAP, and cooling center locations. The messages also increase self-efficacy and access to state and local cooling resources.
Furthermore, despite a lack of resources, local health departments are interested in climate impacts on health and want to learn more. To support local NYS health departments, BRACE staff initiated climate and health workshops that focused on different climate threats. The workshops raised awareness of climate impacts on health, led to the identification of climate change links in local health departments, promoted climate and health resources, and highlighted funding opportunities.
In addition, NYS BRACE staff have supported the Climate Justice Task Force by providing health outcome data identifying disadvantaged communities. This data has guided investments and resource targeting to ensure that frontline and underserved communities benefit from the state's clean energy transition.
Maryland Department of Health
There is an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, asthma hospitalizations, and foodborne illness following extreme rainfall events in Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore communities. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) developed training and outreach for school-age youth, minority groups, community health workers, and informal health care networks. They also launched the Climate Ambassador program to give young people tools to educate and empower themselves to take climate action. These efforts have improved Marylander's climate literacy and ability to respond to climate threats.
New Hampshire Division of Public Health
Rising water temperatures increase the risk of Vibrio cholerae outbreaks in shellfish, which can increase the risk of food poisoning. The New Hampshire Climate and Health Program analyzed the prevalence of Vibrio cholerae along the coast and in commercial oyster beds and evaluated potential interventions. Interventions were made to shade and cool shellfish beds to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
The Northeast Regional Thermal Partnership
Several Northeast health departments found that National Weather Service (NWS) warnings were not being issued during times when there was significant heat-related illness in the region. The Northeast Regional Heat Collaborative was created in collaboration with other Northeast state health departments to analyze heat, hospitalization and death data to inform public health policy. The Collaborative successfully changed the NWS heat advisory policy for the New England region. More effective heat alerts can reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses in the region.
Rhode Island Department of Health
In Rhode Island, the economy and culture are tied to the ocean, making the effects of climate change particularly acute. Using grants from the CDC Climate and Health program, the Rhode Island Department of Health assessed climate change and health vulnerabilities specific to Rhode Island, created a Social Vulnerability Index Map, a Climate Change and Health Resilience Report, and developed an adaptation plan on climate change and health. These projects have not only produced measurable reductions in the health burdens of climate change, but have helped to further address and adapt to the many public health impacts of climate change in Rhode Island.
Vermont Department of Health
Vermont's climate and health program addresses several key climate-related health risks, with a particular focus on heat as it proves to be a growing threat to Vermonters. Many homes and communities are unprepared for extreme heat, resulting in more heat-related illnesses and deaths. To combat heat illness, Vermont has increased resources to Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs) to increase local awareness of heat hazards, identify high-risk communities, locate cooling centers and develop local emergency response plans for hot weather. As a result of the RPCs, 19 local heat response plans were developed, dozens of community cooling centers were identified, and awareness about cooling centers was raised. In addition, Vermont is piloting a “Weatherization + Health Initiative” to modify homes for climate resilience and health promotion. The program prioritizes the delivery of health benefits, including specific health and safety improvements in addition to basic weatherization strategies. The “Weatherization + Health Initiative” enhances the energy efficiency of the home, reduces energy costs and improves occupant health. This project has been supported not only by the CDC's States & Cities Initiative (CRSCI), but also by a 2020 mini-grant from CDC through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
Boston Public Health Commission
Rising temperatures threaten Bostonians and put them at risk of developing heat-related illnesses. In 2015, there were 22 days above 90°F in Boston. by 2030, there could be as many as 40 days above 90°F. With the support of a 2019 mini-grant from the CDC through the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Boston Public Health Commission developed heat awareness materials and translated them into ten languages to reach populations particularly at risk and reduce health impacts during heat waves.
Seneca Nation of Indians
Due to climate change, there is increased flooding, which increases the risk of vector-borne disease among indigenous communities. Using a 2020 mini-grant from the CDC through the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the Seneca Nation of Indians (located in what is now New York) addressed the effects of the flooding by integrating health into existing collective work on climate. The mini-grant project focused on health communication to help communities better understand the health impacts of flooding, as well as how to prepare for and respond to future floods.
GreenRoots – Chelsea, Massachusetts
Industrial activities create noise, traffic and pollution, taking a toll on the residents of Chelsea. In 2022, GreenRoots, a community-based organization (CBO), received a mini-grant from the CDC through the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to distribute 200 air purifiers and collect data from existing outdoor air quality monitors maintained by the state. Through these actions, GreenRoots not only protects its community's air quality, but also educates residents about its importance to health.
