This newsletter is for clinicians (physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, health care professionals, medical students and residents, and therapists) who understand and/or desire to understand climate change and its connection to health, clinicians who know very little about climate change and health and want more information, and anyone interested in understanding how to advocate for climate change health solutions and to mitigate the negative affects of climate change on health.
GCCA is a non-partisan organization.
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Current Climate Concerns and Resources for Clinicians
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The State of Global Air 2020
New: Air Pollution and Newborns. For the first time, the State of Global Air 2020 includes statistics on how pollution affects babies in their first month of life. Learn more about health effects and burden of disease. Learn More
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New Climate and Health information portal
The Georgia Climate Project launched a new Climate and Health Page on the Georgia Climate Information Portal. The Georgia Climate Information Portal – created by Georgians for Georgians – aims to provide quick access to information on the two central questions of the Georgia Climate Project: what does a changing climate mean for Georgia and what can we do about it?
In the case of health, Georgia’s changing climate will:
- exacerbate health inequities
- increase heat-related illness
- boost exposure to pollen and air pollution, and
- alter the spread of infectious diseases.
Visit the portal for more information on how climate change affects Georgia’s health.
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2020 State of Lung Cancer Report -- Check out the statistics for Georgia
For the first time, this year’s “State of Lung Cancer” report explores the lung cancer burden among racial and ethnic minority groups at the national and state levels. People of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white Americans: they are less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment, and more likely to not receive any treatment.
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Media Training for Health Professionals
Wednesday, November 18th. 3:00pm – 4:30pm
As health professionals and health students, most of us have very little training in talking to the media. However, as climate health advocates, this has the potential to be an important part of our work!
Please join us in this interactive webinar to learn the nuts and bolts about why it’s important to work with the media, how to pitch a story or interview, how to prepare for an interview, what to expect with different types of media (e.g., radio, podcast, television, live webstream), and more!
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Watch new videos HERE
Health Voices for Climate Action is a coalition of health and medical organizations collecting stories from health professionals on the front lines in clinics, hospitals, community organizations, and public health agencies across the nation.
Research shows that people who understand that climate is a health issue are more likely to support climate solutions, many of which bring quick and significant health and health equity benefits. One of the best ways we can support climate wins in the January run-off elections, is by telling our stories.
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Coming soon! An interactive list on Georgia demographics and 2021 legislative activities.
In the meantime.....connect (email, text, with your legislators to learn their perspectives on climate, environmental issues, and health impacts.
Click the icon below to find your legislator.
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Upcoming Events and Webinars
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Every day is Earth Day in Decatur. As a part of a series of virtual events celebrating the 50th Anniversary Year of Earth Day, join the City of Decatur online on Zoom for a talk on Climate Change and Public Health by Decatur Resident and Pediatrician, Dr. Rebecca Philipsborn at 7pm on Wednesday, November 18th.
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How do we best protect vulnerable populations like our kids from climate change? Dr. Philipsborn is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Emory University School of Medicine and cares for children at Hughes Spalding Primary Care Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Philipsborn is a founder and serves on the Steering Committee of Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action (GCCA), a coalition of health professionals and health organizations concerned about the impacts of climate change on Georgia residents, especially those in vulnerable populations.
Contact: info@earthdaydecatur.org
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Register for the annual fall GWC Membership Meeting to be held on
November 19, 2020!
Join Georgia Water Coalition and hear GCCA Steering Committee member, Dr. Yolanda Whyte, speak on environmental contaminants and public health.
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Afternoon Session 1pm – 4:15pm
- 2021 Legislative Priorities – next steps with Coal Ash and dedicated Trust Funds
- 2020 Dirty Dozen
- Dr. Yolanda Whyte, M.D. will be speaking with us about environmental contaminants and public health
- 2020 Clean 13 Water Heroes
- Plastic Pollution – how do we begin to address this problem in Georgia? Experts Dr. Kostas Konstantinidis, Ph.D, Professor at Georgia Tech, and Benton Wislinski, Lobbyist and Communication Coordinator with Sierra Club SC, will present updates on their work and guide our discussion.
- How to participate more fully in the Georgia Water Coalition
- And more……
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10th Annual Climate Symposium (virtual)
November 19 - 21, 2020
According to the 4th National Climate Assessment, the health and well-being of Americans, and people across the globe, are already affected by climate change, with the adverse health consequences projected to worsen with additional global warming. The climate crisis affects your health by altering exposures to heatwaves, floods, droughts, and other extreme events; vector-, food- and waterborne infectious diseases; changes in the quality and safety of air, food, and water; and stresses to mental health and well-being.
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In case you missed 'What does a Changing Climate Mean for Georgians’ Health?’ featuring GCCA members Dr. Linda Walden and Dr. Rebecca Philipsborn, a recording is available on the Georgia Climate Project Youtube channel.
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Know a colleague interested in learning more about the climate & health connection and joining GCCA? Share the link to our website.
If someone shared a copy of this newsletter and you would like to subscribe, click HERE.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action (GCCA) is a bi-partisan coalition of health professionals and health organizations concerned about the impacts of climate change on Georgia residents, and especially those in vulnerable communities. GCCA was founded in response to health harms that patients are already experiencing and that health professionals are witnessing in patient care settings and communities throughout Georgia.
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