The interconnection of health and climate touches many aspects of our community. The challenges we face and the solutions they demand are intertwined and rooted in a social equity approach, centering the experiences and needs of the most vulnerable groups in our community. While all of the work is interconnected, our 2016 Health and Climate Summit approached the topic through several smaller topics, as shown in the blocks below. 
The relationship between health and climate was a key component of Climate Ready Missoula, Missoula's climate resiliency plan.
​Visit the plan's website to learn more. 

Events

Health and climate summit
​The October 2016 Health and Climate Summit brought over 100 community members together to discuss how we can cultivate a healthy Missoula given climate change. 

You can watch the panel from the event ​on MCAT's Video on Demand or read a recap of the event.

The Summit was hosted by Climate Smart Missoula with financial support from GCS, American Lung Association in Montana, and the Institute of Health and Humanities. The event was also made possible by the Bloomberg Award for Partners for Places. 
climate, health, and humanities
In March of 2016, we hosted a three day event in partnership with the University of Montana, Institute for Health and Humanities, and American Lung Association. 
  • March 15. What does climate change have to do with heart health? Presentation by Mark Vossler, MD, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. 
  • March 16. Taking it in: climate change, emotion, and humanities. Presentation by SueEllen Campbell, PhD, Colorado State University.  Remarks about climate and health implications by Missoula's Beth Schenk, RN, PhD to follow.  Read SueEllen's Nine Points of Wisdom and check out her website:  100 Views of Climate Change.
  • March 19. An Evening of Food, Drink, Conversation, and a Movie. The Wisdom to Survive. 

Mental Health

​Climate change can impact our mental health and emotional well-being, from the way we feel about our altered home environments to how our brains are affected by increased heat and wildfire smoke. Yet changes to our climate also provide an opportunity to re-think our lifestyles and our communities in ways that promote resilience, personal growth, and well-being. Visit our mental health page for more information. 

Wellness and Livability

Healthy, local food is a key mitigation and adaptation strategy. Our deputy director, Abby Huseth, was key in establishing the Food Policy Advisory Board, which will advise both city and county government on local agriculture and food-related policy issues. 

Emergency Preparedness

The relationship between human health, emergency preparedness, and climate change, was a key component of Climate Ready Missoula, our community's climate resiliency plan. Visit the plan's website, climatereadymissoula.org, to learn more. 

Wildfire Smoke and Heat

Our ​Heat + Wildfires pages are full of great information on how we can better weather the weather. 

For a quick primer on what's the risk of wildfire smoke and heat, watch the 90 second videos below: 
Wildfire Smoke
Heat

Housing

Healthy housing is a critical component to both our mitigation and adaptation efforts. Visit our manufactured housing page for more information on what we're working on. 

Urban Planning and Land Use

Explore our Smart Growth and Transportation pages to see how we're advocating for land use planning that enables a healthier society. 

The Missoula Invest Health team has maps where you can explore health equity. The link is HERE. 

Climate Change and Physical Health Resources