Finding Solutions for Climate - Driven Health Challenges

today.duke.edu · Feb 16, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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This is a summary of a story that originally appeared on the School of Medicine’s website. At Duke University’s inaugural Climate and Health “Big Idea” Symposium, researchers, clinicians and trainees gathered to discuss the health impacts of climate change. The Jan. 22 event, hosted by the School of Medicine’s Climate and Health Research Initiative (CHeRI), marked Duke’s effort to unite disciplines and speedup solutions to climate‑driven health challenges. “Often when we think of climate change, we think in terms of the economy or the environment, but we don't think in terms of health,” said Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. Mary E. Klotman, noting that extreme heat, flooding and water scarcity directly threaten human health. The event brought together experts from medicine, environmental science, engineering and policy to discuss a range of topics. Participants explored how rising temperatures, extreme weather and shifting ecosystems are reshaping public health in the Carolinas and beyond. Researchers showcased CHeRI‑funded projects, including an atlas connecting health to where people live; work on fungal-related disease risks; an investigation of climate’s impact on the immune system, and more. In a “pitch session,” teams proposed ideas designed to protect vulnerable communities. The symposium also highlighted Duke’s growing investment in climate‑health research, supported in part by a recent $4.5 million award from The Duke Endowment to expand CHeRI’s work. With new funding and a surge of interest across campus, organizers hope the event will become a catalyst for long‑term partnerships and innovative projects. For more information, go to the School of Medicine’s website.