Climate Change and Public Health:  Short Course at the University of Minnesota

On June 3, 4, 5, and 7 2019, the University of Minnesota’s Public Health Institute will offer a 1-credit class entitled Climate Change and Public Health.  It will be taught by one of the University’s Distinguished Teaching Professors, Dr. Wendy Hellerstedt.  The course is open to graduate students and community professionals.  

A warming planet has negative consequences in terms of environmental degradation, extreme weather events, and social disruption—all of which have health and economic consequences.  The course will focus on the important role of public health professionals in guiding policy, programs, and education to prevent, mitigate, and adapt to a changing climate.  The course will examine how climate change is defined, its environmental causes and effects, its social consequences, and its health effects.  It will also describe public health mitigation and adaptation initiatives; public education strategies; and policy options to reduce climate change, minimize its effects, and heighten resilience.  An important focus of the class will be optimizing messages about climate change to the general public. 

For more information: www.sph.umn.edu/ academics/institutes/public-health-institute/