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Center for Climate and Health (CCH)

For thousands of years Alaska Natives have successfully adapted to a changing environment. Today global warming is resulting in rapid change all across the Arctic, with important implications for community health. These changes effect the health of Alaska Natives in many ways, increasing risk for injury and disease and causing interruption or damage to health infrastructure such as water systems and health clinics.

The mission of the Center for Climate and Health (CCH) is to help the Alaska Tribal Health System adapt to climate change and to other new or emerging health impacts. The program combines ANTHC's engineering, environmental health, and community health expertise to provide assistance to local and regional partners in assessing impacts, and developing appropriate adaptation strategies.

Alaska Natives are witness to a broad range of climate changes impacts and are experiencing the effects first hand. Rising temperature and increased precipitation has been occurring statewide, and is projected to continue into the future (SNAP, 2010). Ocean temperature is rising and raising concerns about food safety (State of Alaska, 2004), and the loss of summer sea ice (NSIDC, 2010). Sea level is changing raising concerns about vulnerability to storm surge and flooding (NOAA, 2010). Seasonal changes are delaying winter shore ice, increasing erosion, and resulting in the relocation of coastal communities (State of Alaska, 2010). Finally, loss of permafrost is thawing traditional ice cellars, undermining food security (CCH Bulletin No. 1), and diminishing water quality and availability (CCH Bulletin No. 2).

The CCH is performing Climate Change Health Impact Assessments to document health effects and is providing consultation on climate change adaption. We are also defining climate-health mechanisms and identifying community health priorities through our Climate and Health Bulletins. Through these efforts and our partnerships with the tribal health community, local and regional government, academic institutions, and public and private organizations, we our increasing understanding about climate effects, and developing strategies that encourage wellness, resilience, and sustainability.