Climate and Health: About Us

Climate change is already harming our health. With climate changes intensifying, the Minnesota Climate & Health Program focuses on improving our ability to protect public health and prevent further harms from climate change.

Our mission is to foster healthier, more equitable and resilient communities.

We do this by

• Education: Resonate with the hearts and minds of the public, influencers and decision-makers to build a culture of health and climate action.
• Research: Conduct credible, rigorous and innovative research to facilitate health and climate in all policies.
• Capacity Building: Provide technical assistance, tools and products to expand and accelerate health and climate solutions.

The Minnesota Climate & Health Program is part of a nation-wide effort, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to anticipate, prepare for and respond to health impacts from climate change.

Minnesota Climate and Health Strategic Plan

The Minnesota Climate & Health Program with the assistance of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Climate and Health Workgroup maintains an ambitious strategic plan to prepare for and respond to climate change and its impacts on public health. MDH’s Minnesota Climate and Health Strategic Plan contains seven goals, 23 objectives and 60 activities to address the health impacts of climate change in Minnesota.

With the Plan reaching its midpoint in 2019, the Program developed a mid-term report to showcase the important climate and health work that is happening across MDH. By the end of 2018, MDH staff completed 11 activities and indicated another 18 as in progress. Twenty-seven other activities occur on an ongoing basis (e.g., surveillance, routine training, and response). Nine activities were not started, but Workgroup members plan to explore or undertake them in upcoming years. Eight activities have been canceled due to various reasons (e.g., no longer a need). To find out more, check out the Minnesota Climate & Health Strategic Plan Progress Report.

• The Minnesota Climate & Health Strategic Plan (PDF)
• The Minnesota Climate & Health Strategic Plan Progress Report (PDF)