PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact: Jenna Jorns, Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments (GLISA)

jljorns@umich.edu

 

On January 9th, GLISA climatologist Omar Gates presented at the 98th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in Austin, Texas. Gates’ presentation, “The Role of GLISA in Communicating Climate Change and Health Impacts in the Great Lakes Region,” was featured in the session “Partnerships to Enhance Public Health Communications by Broadcast Meteorologists.” Co-authored by GLISA Program Manager Jenna Jorns, GLISA climatologist Laura Briley, and GLISA doctoral student William (B.J.) Baule, the presentation showcased GLISA’s partnerships with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the climate adaptation efforts of other public health departments in the Great Lakes region.

Gates described the climate information these partners used in their projects, highlighting challenges, outcomes, and insights of climate science integration in the health sector. Emphasizing increased reports of health impacts, such as heat illness, respiratory and vector-borne diseases, Gates shared ways that Great Lakes states are preparing for and adapting to health challenges associated with a changing climate.