In the first of this 3-part series, hear what two recent climate assessments—the Third U.S. National Climate Assessment the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment—say about the health impacts of climate change in the United States and around the globe from Dr. John Balbus.

With rising temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and a host of effects on air quality, food supply, and infectious diseases, climate change is projected to have a major impact on human health and well-being. In many places, these effects are already being felt.

In this 3-part series, hear what two recent climate assessments—the Third U.S. National Climate Assessment the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment—say about the health impacts of climate change in the United States and around the globe.

Part 1: Dr. John Balbus: Overview

John M. Balbus, M.D., M.P.H., is a senior advisor to the NIEHS Director on public health issues and serves as NIEHS liaison to its external constituencies, stakeholders, and advocacy groups. He serves as HHS principal to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, for which he also co-chairs the Interagency Cross-Cutting Group on Climate Change and Human Health. He was among the lead authors of the health chapter of the Third National Climate Assessment and was a review editor for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment report. His background combines training and experience in clinical medicine with expertise in epidemiology, toxicology, and risk sciences. He has authored studies and lectures on global climate change and health, transportation-related air pollution, the toxic effects of chemicals, and regulatory approaches to protecting susceptible subpopulations.

Other Episodes in the Same Series

• Dr. Alistair Woodward: Focus on IPCC Fifth Assessment (Part II)
• Dr. Kim Knowlton: Focus on National Climate Assessment (Part III)

For More Information

• IPCC Fifth Assessment
• National Climate Assessment
• NIEHS Focus on Climate Change and Human Health
• Climate Change