A Very Hot Topic: What Climate Change Means to Public Health

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We welcome Nirav Shah back to our stage to discuss the intersection of climate change and public health, which will be a defining dynamic for decades to come, both globally and domestically. Recent months have made clear the impact of climate change, from smoke, heat, floods, or wild fires affecting nearly every corner of the U.S. These acute events come on top of years of gradual, mounting changes to our climate. The full extent of these changes may not be known for years, but it is clear that the impact is already being felt--particularly in public health.

Maine is not exempt from the impact of climate change on public health. Higher temperatures mean more heat-related illnesses and increasing rates of illnesses like Lyme disease, among other effects. In what other ways will climate change affect public health?  And what steps can we take to prevent, mitigate, and adapt to climate change while protecting public health?

Dr. Nirav Shah was Maine CDC’s director during the COVID pandemic, and became the honest, direct and calming voice to the people of Maine as we navigated that storm. An epidemiologist, economist and attorney, he is currently the principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.