Climate & Health
IHPI members are studying climate-related threats to health and health care to inform strategies that support people and communities.
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Climate change is increasingly affecting environmental conditions that influence health in communities around the world.
Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns can contribute to a range of health-related challenges, including changes in air quality, water safety, food production, and housing stability. Climate-related events such as extreme heat, flooding, and wildfire smoke may disrupt daily life, worsen certain health conditions, and place additional demands on health care systems.
Although research has documented links between climate-related exposures and health outcomes, further study is needed to better understand the pathways involved and to identify effective strategies to support health systems and reduce risks for affected populations. Cross-disciplinary collaboration can help inform evidence-based policies and practices related to climate and health.
Experts at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation are conducting research to better understand and address the health consequences of environmental changes.
IHPI Sandy-Hassmiller Climate & Health Initiative
Advancing research on climate-related health impacts and solutions
In 2025, the Institute launched the Sandy-Hassmiller Climate and Health Initiative to advance critical research on the challenges that climate change poses to health and health care. Made possible by a generous gift from Lewis G. Sandy, M.D., and Susan Hassmiller, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, the initiative fosters interdisciplinary research, trains emerging leaders, and connects clinicians and scientists to better understand and inform policies to address climate-related health impacts on individuals, communities, and health care infrastructure.
Expert Q&As
Bell on preparing health care systems and researchers for climate impacts
Sue Anne Bell, Ph.D., FNP-BC, FAAN, a nationally recognized nurse-scientist in disaster preparedness and response policy, discusses her leadership role in IHPI's climate and health initiative, how extreme weather events disrupt health care delivery, and what approaches may help health care professionals and communities better prepare for disasters.
Rabin on air quality and reducing health care’s environmental footprint
Alexander Rabin, M.D., a pulmonologist at Michigan Medicine who studies respiratory health and strategies to lower carbon emissions in health care, discusses how air pollution affects respiratory health, promising efforts to cut emissions across health systems, and key areas where further climate and health research is needed as IHPI expands its support for this work.
Featured Work
Beyond the Forecast: Experiences with Extreme Weather and Concerns About Climate and Health
A report from the U-M National Poll on Healthy Aging, conducted by IHPI, surveyed a national sample of adults age 50 and older about their experiences with extreme weather and concerns about climate change. The poll found that 74% of respondents had experienced at least one extreme weather event in the past two years, such as extreme heat, poor air quality from wildfires, severe storms, or long power outages. Most older adults said they are concerned about the effects of climate change on their own health (59%) and on the health of future generations (74%).
Projects supported by IHPI-Graham Sustainability Institute Grants
Hot Days, Cool Solutions: Helping Health Workers Protect Communities
Paul Chandanabhumma, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of family medicine, leads a collaboration to create and test a practical educational tool for community health workers to support extreme heat preparedness and sustainable cooling strategies. The team is made up of members from Michigan Medicine, the School of Public Health, Institute for Social Research and Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research.
Clearing the Air: U-M and Okanogan Communities Take on Wildfire Smoke
Simone Charles, Ph.D., M.S., clinical associate professor at the School of Public Health, is leading a research team to create practical resources for community response to wildfire smoke in rural communities. The team includes members from the School of Public Health, Stamps School of Art and Design, School for Environment and Sustainability, School of Nursing, the Okanogan Conservation District, Methow Valley Citizen's Council and Clean Air Methow.
Climate change and health inspire transformative gift
Behind the Sandy-Hassmiller Climate & Health Initiative are Lewis Sandy, M.D., and Susan Hassmiller, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, whose decades of leadership and public health experience inspired their investment in advancing climate and health knowledge through IHPI.
Featured
News
Selected projects examine climate stress among caregivers, disaster recovery supports, and data center impacts.
Climate & Health
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Connect with IHPI members and the broader U-M community conducting research at the intersection of climate change and health. To join the email list for updates and opportunities, contact Emma Steppe at [email protected]. The email list is open to all U-M faculty, staff, and trainees.