2019 GLISA Small Grant: Expanding Capacity to Utilize Public Health Law to Advance Climate Adaptation in the Great Lakes Region

Project Summary

As a result of this collaboration between GLISA, the Network for Public Health Law, and public health associations and departments in the region, public health practitioners will enhance their capacity to utilize public health law to address climate change in the Great Lakes Region. The project will consist of online webinars and a small number of in-depth, in-person trainings. The trainers will share historical and projected climate information relevant to the region and local area and will map the pathways through which these changes are likely to produce adverse health impacts (for example, extreme heat may contribute to heatstroke or even death, wildfires and air pollution may exacerbate respiratory illnesses). Trainers and participants will then examine state and local health departments’ current legal authority to address the human health impacts of climate change. Additionally, trainers will describe emerging opportunities to mitigate and adapt to climate change through law and policy. This review of existing legal authority, relevant legal strategies, and case studies from around the country will increase public health leaders’ readiness to serve as their communities’ “chief health strategist” in the face of climate change. Following, the Principal attorneys will offer limited legal technical assistance to public health leaders to further amplify their capacity to protect, promote, and improve health by enforcing and implementing current laws and working with partners to introduce innovative, evidence-based laws and policies.