State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

public health9

  • Health people, meet climate people!

    Since Monday, 12 public-health professionals and climate scientists from ten countries have been at Columbia University’s Lamont campus to learn how to use climate information to make better decisions in health-care planning and disease prevention. They’re taking part in the second Summer Institute on Climate Information for Public Health, organized by the International Research Institute…

  • Swine flu, climate change, and the future of infectious diseases

    Since the first cases of swine flu, or H1N1, were reported in April, public health organizations, governments, media and the general public have spent much time and energy trying to understand and contain the virus. Responses have ranged from the serious (like the WHO’s declaration of a phase 5 pandemic alert) to the ridiculous (like…

  • Interdisciplinary Work: Big Challenge, But Not Impossible

    Health professionals, epidemiologists, health management workers and health policymakers are increasingly concerned about the potential impact that climate variability and climate change could have on public health. However, many public health professionals are not yet aware of the ways in which climate information can help them manage the impacts of climate on their work. At…

  • Google Grant to Researchers Aims at Climate-Connected Disease

    Work in Ethiopia Will Aid Predictions of Malaria, Meningitis Outbreaks

  • Is the Hudson Swimmable? New Program Aims to Test the Waters

    Ongoing Work By Scientists Will Supply Data to the Public

  • Scientists Make First Map Of Emerging Disease Hotspots

    Growing Threat Seen In Human-Wildlife Conflict, Drug Resistance

  • Scientists Urge Revised Policies to Address Arsenic Problem in Bangladesh

    An international group of scientists are suggesting new priorities for the next government of Bangladesh to advance the country’s fight against naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater. In an article entitled “Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Bangladesh,” they urge a major revision of government policy following upcoming elections. Their work appeared in the December 15 issue…

  • Profile: World Citizen Finds Academic Home in Columbia Ph.D. Program

    Anisa Khadem Nwachuku calls herself a “world citizen.” With just a cursory glance at her curriculum vitae, it is easy to see why: she has traveled to and lived in every far-flung corner of the world, growing up around poverty and communities in crisis. Originally from Chicago, Khadem Nwachuku was raised by globally minded parents…

  • Climate Forecasting Systems Help Predict Malaria Risk in Africa

    A recent study published in Nature shows that climate forecasts can help predict malaria epidemics many months in advance. These predictions can alert health service managers to changes in epidemic risk five months before the peak malaria season and four months earlier than predictions based on actual rainfall. The study appears in the February 2…

  • Health people, meet climate people!

    Since Monday, 12 public-health professionals and climate scientists from ten countries have been at Columbia University’s Lamont campus to learn how to use climate information to make better decisions in health-care planning and disease prevention. They’re taking part in the second Summer Institute on Climate Information for Public Health, organized by the International Research Institute…

  • Swine flu, climate change, and the future of infectious diseases

    Since the first cases of swine flu, or H1N1, were reported in April, public health organizations, governments, media and the general public have spent much time and energy trying to understand and contain the virus. Responses have ranged from the serious (like the WHO’s declaration of a phase 5 pandemic alert) to the ridiculous (like…

  • Interdisciplinary Work: Big Challenge, But Not Impossible

    Health professionals, epidemiologists, health management workers and health policymakers are increasingly concerned about the potential impact that climate variability and climate change could have on public health. However, many public health professionals are not yet aware of the ways in which climate information can help them manage the impacts of climate on their work. At…

  • Google Grant to Researchers Aims at Climate-Connected Disease

    Work in Ethiopia Will Aid Predictions of Malaria, Meningitis Outbreaks

  • Is the Hudson Swimmable? New Program Aims to Test the Waters

    Ongoing Work By Scientists Will Supply Data to the Public

  • Scientists Make First Map Of Emerging Disease Hotspots

    Growing Threat Seen In Human-Wildlife Conflict, Drug Resistance

  • Scientists Urge Revised Policies to Address Arsenic Problem in Bangladesh

    An international group of scientists are suggesting new priorities for the next government of Bangladesh to advance the country’s fight against naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater. In an article entitled “Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Bangladesh,” they urge a major revision of government policy following upcoming elections. Their work appeared in the December 15 issue…

  • Profile: World Citizen Finds Academic Home in Columbia Ph.D. Program

    Anisa Khadem Nwachuku calls herself a “world citizen.” With just a cursory glance at her curriculum vitae, it is easy to see why: she has traveled to and lived in every far-flung corner of the world, growing up around poverty and communities in crisis. Originally from Chicago, Khadem Nwachuku was raised by globally minded parents…

  • Climate Forecasting Systems Help Predict Malaria Risk in Africa

    A recent study published in Nature shows that climate forecasts can help predict malaria epidemics many months in advance. These predictions can alert health service managers to changes in epidemic risk five months before the peak malaria season and four months earlier than predictions based on actual rainfall. The study appears in the February 2…