Climate and Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health
The Climate and Health MPH@GW concentration is now accepting applications!
The Mission of the Climate and Health MPH@GW concentration is to train individuals to assess environmental exposures and public health risks associated with anthropogenic climate change, and to mitigate these health risks through taking a systems approach that considers crisis phenomena, such as COVID-19, climate-sensitive programming, and public policies.
Our graduates will hold a multidisciplinary knowledge base and skillset that will provide them a framework for transforming how health issues associated with anthropogenic climate change and global environmental change are addressed. They will understand the scientific foundations of climate change and environmental health, the social dimensions of health risks associated with climate change, the policies and practices that can mitigate these health risks, and how to communicate about these subjects. Graduates will be able to:
- Critique existing epidemiological research investigating environmental or occupational health problems, including summarizing methods and results and evaluating biases;
- Assess environmental and occupational exposures that are linked with climate change and evaluate health hazards associated with them;
- Identify scientific approaches for studying the effects of climate change on human health;
- Communicate the effects of climate change and sustainability actions on public health to varied audiences; and
- Recommend strategies to prevent and control environmental and occupational exposures that are linked with climate change.
Graduates from this program will be prepared for leadership careers in catalyzing systemic change that mitigates health risks from climate change and environmental degradation. Career paths include government, non-governmental organizations, research and academia, multilateral organizations, media, consulting, and industry – graduates can work wherever solutions to climate change and environmental health happen.
This concentration is available for candidates enrolled in GW’s online Master of Public Health program, MPH@GW. Residential students will be able to enroll in courses offered within this concentration. Click here to request more information and apply today!
The Milken Institute School of Public Health currently offers several courses in Climate and Health:
PUBH 6130. Sustainable Energy and the Environment
The sustainability of various energy strategies, including energy conservation, green building principles, renewable energy, and mitigation and adaption policies for climate change. Emphasis on the life cycle framework. Topics include natural resource depletion, water and energy consumption, and air, water, and solid waste pollutant emissions. (2 Credits)
PUBH 6133. Social Dimensions in Climate Change and Health
The drivers of climate change and outcomes with particular focus on health dimensions; obstacles, vulnerabilities, inequality, and adaptation as well as technical and social solutions. (3 Credits)
PUBH 6135. Researching Climate Change and Human Health
Study of the effects of climate change on human health using evidence compiled by the National Climate Assessment (NCA); widespread impacts, ecological context, oceans of change, infrastructure, water resources, energy, land use, heat, and air quality. (3 Credits)
PUBH 6140. Global Climate Change and Air Pollution
The state of the air in the Anthropocene epoch. Key concepts of atmospheric science, public health, and other societal impacts. Local and global policy frameworks. (2 Credits)