In December, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) unveiled its 2024 Climate Change and Health Initiative (CCHI) Annual report. The second annual report details progress made in FY 2024 (October 2023 to September 2024) to expand research and understanding of health threats related to climate change.
“CCHI’s accomplishments represent interdisciplinary work aimed at advancing science and addressing complex, intersecting health challenges,” said Gwen Collman, Ph.D.who helps lead the NIH-wide initiative and directs the NIEHS Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning, and Evaluation.
She added that by emphasizing a collaborative approach, CCHI hopes to enrich the overall research landscape and foster innovative solutions.
Promote collaborative research
CCHI supported the collaboration through the CAFÉ Research Coordination Center (COFFEE), the Climate and Health Researchers Programand cross-sector partnerships with non-NIH agencies and organizations. Here are examples of how these efforts have provided training and mentoring to researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines.
- CAFÉ has expanded the global climate and health community of practice to more than 2,000 active members and connected researchers, health practitioners, students, community members and educators. The coordinating center also hosted an inaugural virtual conference for 900 participants representing 62 countries, in addition to launching a grant writing mentoring program and hosting a series of public webinars through “CAFÉ University “.
- NIH welcomed the second class climate and health researchers. During their tenure at NIH, the seven visiting investigators hosted capacity-building workshops, hosted webinars, conducted landscape analyses, and shared data resources and access strategies with their host institutes and centers.
- Key partners included the National Science Foundation, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Wellcome Trust, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Working with vulnerable communities
Sixteen new Exploratory research centers and four Alliance for Community Engagement – Climate and Health the sites were funded in fiscal year 2024.
“Through our community engagement efforts, CCHI is pioneering evidence-based solutions that promote long-term climate resilience in vulnerable communities,” said Ashlinn Quinn, Ph.D., NIEHS program manager for the climate change and health.
For example, these programs connect community leaders and scientific researchers to co-develop information, tools and solutions adapted to the reality experienced by communities already feeling the effects of climate change. Thanks to recent awards, the number of exploratory research centers has quadrupled.
To learn about other achievements, read the full annual report and stay up to date with the latest news, funding and training opportunities by visiting the CCHI website Or subscribe to the monthly CCHI newsletters.
(Samantha Ebersold is a communications specialist in the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison.)