Climate change poses real and immediate impacts to the public health of populations around the globe. Adverse impacts are expected to continue throughout the century. Emphasizing co-benefits of climate action for health, combining adaptation and mitigation efforts, and increasing interagency coordination can effectively address both public health and climate change challenges.

This article describes the health impacts of climate change, especially upon vulnerable populations. The bulk of the article sets forth legal and public health strategies to lessen the health impacts of climate change through adaptation and mitigation at the local, state, and national levels. It will demonstrate that action to address this emerging threat to public health is both achievable and necessary and will provide examples of current successes and challenges.