Advancing and Integrating U.S. Climate and Health Policies

The report finds that while U.S. climate and health policies remain largely siloed, there is a broad consensus among stakeholders that further integration would maximize mutual benefits and increase public support for climate action. Key barriers include funding shortages, political polarization, and a lack of standardized data on health-economic costs. Recommended strategies include framing climate change as a health issue, utilizing health professionals as trusted messengers, and establishing centralized leadership within federal agencies to overcome institutional silos.

• National climate and health policies in the U.S. are not yet well integrated, characterized by limited interaction between stakeholders and a lack of specific climate-health legislation, although integration is increasing under the Biden administration.
• Most stakeholders believe further integration is beneficial because it can maximize the health benefits of climate policies and the climate benefits of health policies, while a health-centric focus can build broader support for climate action.
• Political polarization is a significant barrier, with some conservative decision-makers opposing health equity in policy and viewing the integration of climate and health as a vehicle for a progressive "woke agenda".
• Funding for climate-health initiatives is scarce; specifically, the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within the Department of Health and Human Services has not yet received funding.
• There is a critical lack of data regarding the health harms of climate change and their associated economic costs, as well as the health benefits and cost savings of climate solutions.
• Institutional silos within federal agencies and professional communities inhibit progress, often due to separate funding streams and non-standardized operational metrics.
• Healthcare system resilience and decarbonization are top priorities, with the HHS voluntary Health Sector Pledge (signed by over 15% of U.S. hospitals) aiming for net zero by 2050.
• Framing climate change as a health issue is recommended to make the problem feel more immediate and personally relevant, which can help depolarize the issue for moderate and conservative audiences.
• Health professionals are identified as highly trusted and influential messengers who can effectively advocate for climate-health policies to congressional policymakers.
• Feasible opportunities for advancing integrated goals exist in specific policy areas, including the Farm Bill, transportation infrastructure, housing, and urban development.

APA

Fine, J., Ettinger, J., Kotcher, J., Mildenberger, M., Leiserowitz, A., & Maibach, E. (2024). Advancing and Integrating U.S. Climate and Health Policies. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Advancing-and-integrating-US-climate-and-health-policies.pdf

Chicago

Fine, Julia, Joshua Ettinger, John Kotcher, Matto Mildenberger, Anthony Leiserowitz, and Edward Maibach. Advancing and Integrating U.S. Climate and Health Policies. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2024. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Advancing-and-integrating-US-climate-and-health-policies.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{fine2024advancing, author = {Fine, Julia and Ettinger, Joshua and Kotcher, John and Mildenberger, Matto and Leiserowitz, Anthony and Maibach, Edward}, title = {{Advancing and Integrating U.S. Climate and Health Policies}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2024}, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Advancing-and-integrating-US-climate-and-health-policies.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }