WCHP Kicks-Off Its Popular Research Seminar Series | Rachel Lookadoo, JD and Dr. Jesse Bell were the first speakers in the Research Seminar Series. | With over 200 attendees at the first installment of the webinar series in October, the WCHP's Research Seminar Series is an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the exciting research being done by the WCHP's faculty and students. | |
WCHP Research Featured by the National Integrated Drought Information System | Dr. Yeongjin Gwon is the lead author of a research paper highlighted by NIDIS. | |
A new research paper that found increases in respiratory mortality during drought within certain regions of the United States and among certain demographic groups was highlighted by the nation's foremost drought organization, NIDIS.
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WCHP Workgroup Combats Negative Health Outcomes of Excessive Heat | Heat-related illness can include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can be deadly if not treated. | This past summer was one of the hottest on global record, necessitating a public health response. The WCHP is taking the charge to develop innovative solutions in Omaha and Lincoln, NE with key partners across the area. | |
Nebraska Environmental Public Health Tracking Updates | | | |
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The Water, Climate and Health Program is a proud partner with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bring the Nebraska Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (Nebraska Tracking). The goal of this project is to improve the health of our communities by becoming a one-stop shop for environmental health data across our state. As we continue to build this program, we will post program updates in our newsletters here and invite you to join us as we work to make safer and healthier communities in Nebraska. Learn more about the Nebraska Tracking program at www.dhhs.ne.gov/tracking. | |
Improving Heat-Related Communications with Better Data | The National Weather Service issues severe weather warnings, including heat advisories. | When temperatures rise, so do the risks to public health. The Nebraska Tracking program teamed up with the National Weather Service of Omaha to improve heat advisories. By providing novel data on heat-related illnesses in Nebraska, the Nebraska Tracking team can help determine where and who may be at the most risk for heat-related illness and what steps are needed to reduce risk. | |
30 New Air Quality Sensors to be Distributed in 2024 | A PurpleAir sensor, used to monitor air quality | Did you know that air quality can not only affect your respiratory health, but can also affect your cardiovascular health as well? Monitoring air quality is a key step needed to reduce health risks. Recognizing the need to increase the number of air monitors throughout the state, the Nebraska Tracking team will provide 30 new PurpleAir sensors to be distributed throughout Nebraska. | |
Nebraska Tracking Connects with Environmental Groups Across the State | (Left to right) Rachael Birn, MPH, Dr. Jesse Bell, Summer Woolsey, MPH, and Dr. Kelli Gribben of the Nebraska Tracking Team at the 2023 NEHA Conference. | The Nebraska Tracking team was able to connect with environmental health leaders across the state at the 2023 Nebraska Environmental Health Association conference where staff presented research on the impacts of air and water quality on human health. | |
Want to learn more about Nebraska Tracking? Contact Summer Woolsey at summer.woolsey@unmc.edu. | |
Publications, Presentations, & Awards | | |
Featured Publications:
2023 Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change
Rachel Lookadoo, JD, Reviewer
Published annually, the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is an international, multidisciplinary collaboration, dedicated to monitoring the health profile of climate change. Findings include increases in world-wide mortality due to excessive heat and vector-borne disease as a result of climate change. WCHP's Rachel Lookadoo, JD, served as a reviewer for the report.
Read the full report here.
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Cover of the 2023 Lancet Countdown Report | |
The Fifth National Climate Assessment
Dr. Jesse Bell, Chapter Author
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Considered the most comprehensive report on the impacts of climate change in the nation, the White House officially published the Fifth National Climate Assessment in a press conference with President Biden giving key remarks on the importance of taking steps to reduce the burdens of climate change. Nominated to serve as an author on the human health chapter, WCHP's Dr. Jesse Bell worked with over 400 multidisciplinary authors over the course of several years to develop the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
Read the full report here.
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Cover of the Fifth National Climate Assessment | |
Our team is growing! Please join us in welcoming two new team members: | |
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Arianna Li, MS
Research Data Analyst
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Sarah Scales, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
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Program Photo & Video Updates | | |
Jesse Bell, PhD (far right) was invited to present along with other members of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the 21st Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. | Dr. Kristina Kintziger gave remarks on the impact of water quality on human health at the 2023 Annual Indigenous Peoples Summit in Omaha, NE. | Rachel Lookadoo, JD (left) and Dr. Kristina Kintziger represented the WCHP at the Global Center for Health Security's Expo for the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response. | WCHP's Dr. Jesse Bell and Laura Nagengast were guests on the "Cropwatch" podcast. Listen Here. | |
Siddhi Munde, MS, was one of several WCHP team members to present new research at the American Geophysics Union Conference in December 2023 in San Francisco, CA. | Members of the WCHP leadership team visited the Henry Doorly Zoo for a leadership retreat in late fall. Pictured left to right: Dr. Yeongjin Gown, Rachel Lookadoo, JD, Dr. Kristina Kintziger, Dr. Eli Rogan, Dr. Jesse Bell, and Christine Allmon-Vetro. | Dr. Babak J. Fard presents his research on heat mitigation strategies at the American Geophysics Union Conference in San Francisco, CA. | PhD student, Raheleh Mohammadi, MPH, presented on her research on Valley Fever trends at the American Public Health Association Annual Conference in October 2023 in Boston, MA. | |
Did you know that the Water, Climate and Health Program trains current medical students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Medicine? The Enhanced Medical Education Track (EMET) Program in Climate Change and Health is designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills they will need to successfully treat patients in a changing climate. Check out the following video featuring one of our current Climate Change and Health EMET students, Denise Torres. | |
Stay Up to Date with the WCHP | | | |
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Visit our website, where you can learn more about the WCHP and support our mission by donating to the program.
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Water, Climate & Health Program | unmc.edu/publichealth/wch | |
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