NIEHS is convening a special National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council (NAEHSC) meeting to consider a NIH-wide Climate Change and Health Concept. Early in the Biden administration, an Executive Order was issued directing HHS to identify, understand, and address impacts of climate change on people’s health, with emphasis on creating greater health equity among populations of concern. Furthermore, Congress is expected to appropriate funds to this purpose, specifically designating NIEHS as the NIH lead for climate and health, while acknowledging the necessary participation of multiple components of the agency in this expanded scientific effort. To meet the challenge laid before NIH, an Executive Committee comprising the Directors of seven ICs—NIEHS, FIC, NIMHD, NIMH, NINR, NICHD, and NHLBI—has committed to providing leadership and oversight of the NIH Climate Change and Health Initiative.

The Concept to be presented during this Special NAEHSC session will outline a strategic framework to address the climate crisis by proposing to: strengthen capacity for climate and health research at home and abroad; promote the best science and most impactful interventions, with an emphasis on health equity and community-engaged research; support a pipeline of climate change and health workforce and research; and promote synergies through collaboration with other federal agencies and research organizations.