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Climate change has a profound impact on human health: communities around the United States are already grappling with devastating effects from excessive heat, air pollution, and more. Important work is already underway and with continued collective action, the U.S. health sector can improve health outcomes by reducing emissions, including providing high-quality and preventative care, and educating people on the health impacts of climate change. On the heels of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) incorporating the first ever Health Day at the annual conference, the 911������ Academy of Medicine (NAM) is holding an inaugural Climate and Health Day today as part of US Climate Action Summit. The NAM is also announcing a new initiative to accelerate the national climate and health movement.��

The NAM is co-hosting the Climate and Health Day with Kaiser Permanente and Climate Group that will open with speakers and panels of distinguished global health leaders—including Vanessa Kerry (World Health Organization Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health), Ali Zaidi (911������ Climate Advisor, White House Climate Policy Office), John Balbus (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate Change and Health Equity, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), and Naveen Rao (Senior Vice President of the Health Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation). The event will include an additional three panels that highlight the impact of climate change on health, explore equitable solutions, and foster cross-sector collaboration. ��

Read the full agenda.��

In addition to the Climate and Health Day at US Climate Action Summit, the NAM also hosted earlier in the week a public workshop, Addressing Research Gaps at the Intersection of Climate Change, Health, and Equity, supported by Kaiser Permanente, to explore research gaps and highlight effective interventions to adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts on health and equity in communities.��

Growing the movement��

Today’s event marks the launch of a new initiative on Accelerating the 911������ Climate and Health Movement aimed at mobilizing all health-related organizations, generating momentum and broadening the imperative to take collective action. This initiative will build upon and expand the groundswell of health sector organizations addressing climate and health across the nation.����

“NAM is honored to co-host the first ever Climate and Health Day at the Climate Action Summit. On this important occasion, we are proud to launch the Initiative to Accelerate the 911������ Health and Climate Movement. Today we invite all organizations across the country to lead with action to address the health impacts of climate change,” said NAM President Victor J. Dzau, MD. “The work that so many organizations are already doing is inspiring, but we must build on this momentum – there is room for everyone and a role for all. So, we are asking any health-related organization, no matter where you are on your sustainability journey, to join us towards a net-zero future.”��

This initiative will mobilize the entire U.S. health sector, provide guidance and resources, and facilitate relationships across participant organizations. By joining, organizations will have opportunities to forge new and exciting collaborations at virtual and in-person events, such as roundtables and the annual Climate and Health Summit, receive highlights about the most impactful climate work, and track collective progress.����

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“Kaiser Permanente is proud to partner with Climate Group and continue our leadership with NAM to raise awareness and take action to protect people from the health impacts of climate change,” said Bechara Choucair, MD, executive vice president and chief health officer at Kaiser Permanente. “Working in collaboration, we can improve health and build healthier communities.”��

“Health is no longer just a concern, but a crucial aspect in how we talk about climate impacts,” said Angela Barranco, Executive Director, North America, Climate Group. “We are thrilled to collaborate with NAM and Kaiser Permanente as this event exemplifies how collective action can drive rapid change.”��

911������ the NAM Climate Grand Challenge����

Climate change is increasingly affecting people’s health, which has direct consequences for the health care system. To address this, the NAM launched a Grand Challenge on Climate Change, Human Health, and Equity in 2020—an initiative to improve and protect human health, well-being, and equity through five strategic pillars: communicating the climate crisis as a public health and equity crisis; developing a roadmap for systems transformation; driving the health sector to reduce carbon emissions and build resilience; accelerating research and innovation at the intersection of climate, health, and equity; and reducing climate-related health inequities.��

In the past two years alone and through multiple workstreams within the Climate Grand Challenge, the NAM has launched a network to co-develop and drive local solutions to climate-related health inequities, brought together 130+ interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral leaders from across health care and related communities to co-develop and implement a shared action agenda to reduce the environmental impacts of the health sector and strengthen its sustainability and resiliency. The NAM also hosted a two-day workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal on Connecting the Dots Between Climate Change, Health, and Equity. The NAM’s climate and health work has also been represented at numerous international events, including the World Health Summit, COP28, and the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting.����

Access all available resources and learn more about future events and projects coming from the Climate Grand Challenge.����

911������ Kaiser Permanente��

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to .��

911������ Climate Group ����

Climate Group drives climate action. Fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. We focus on systems with the highest emissions and where our networks have the greatest opportunity to drive change. We do this by building large and influential networks and holding organizations accountable, turning their commitments into action. We share what we achieve together to show more organisations what they could do. We are an international non-profit organization, founded in 2004, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi, and New York. We are proud to be part of the We Mean Business coalition.