Policy and Advocacy
Policy Change Discussions with Congress or CA Legislature
- Contribution to the Day One Project Policy Proposal: "Reduce Disaster Costs by Better Tracking Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke" https://www.dayoneproject.org/post/reduce-disaster-costs-by-better-tracking-health-impacts-of-wildfire-smoke
- California College on Science and Technology forum on high priorities for California's budget toward wildfire prevention, preparation, and mitigations: CA senators and assembly members by Dr. Mary Prunicki on 02/12/21 Full report available here:
- California Natural Resources Testimony on the health impacts of prescribed burns by Dr. Mary Prunicki on November 9, 2020
- Oral public comment to Environmental Protection Agency on Review of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter by Dr. Lisa Patel on 5/27/20 and and Dr. Mary Prunick on 5/22/20
- Oral public comment to Environmental Protection Agency on science in decision-making rule by Lisa Patel on 3/18/20
- Meeting with State Senator Jerry Hill on sustainable healthcare by Lisa Patel on 2/26/20
- Written public comment to Environmental Protection Agency Clean Car Act by Dr Mary Prunicki on 09/22/18
Actions Impacting Policy Change
- Dr. Prunicki testified on the health impacts of prescribed burns. Her findings suggest that using prescribed burns, also called controlled burns, to reduce fuel levels in forests may protect the health of people who live nearby. Prescribed burns are of lower intensity and are permitted only when weather conditions allow the fire to be contained.
- All electric ordinance in San Francisco effective 01/01/21
- California College on Science and Technology steering committee member Dr. Mary Prunicki on The Costs of Wildfire in California An Independent Review of Scientific and Technical Information released 10/29/20.
- LANCET Countdown on Health and Climate Change Policy Brief for the United States Of America working group member Dr. Kari Nadeau, December, 2020
In addition, we work on:
Sustainable Health Care
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We convened the first NorCal Symposium on Climate and Pandemic Resilience led by medical students from Stanford and UCSF. This event was planned in a participatory fashion by over 100 health care professionals and students, sustainability officers, and public health officials throughout Northern California. Topics focused on the intersection of climate change, the covid-19 pandemic, and racial justice to understand how we use this moment of crisis to build a better and more resilient future.
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We are working to advance sustainability at Stanford Medicine by supporting work on re-usable gowns and growing the network of students and faculty invested in greening efforts across the School of Medicine, LPCH, and Stanford Healthcare
Climate Change Education for Health Professionals
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We mentor the Stanford Climate and Health group in integrating climate change into medical curriculum for Stanford medical students
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We are leading the development of Maintenance of Certification modules for the American Board of Pediatrics on climate change, health, and equity
Electrification
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We support efforts for all-electric new construction. Indoor gas stoves and furnaces are a risk factor for the development of childhood asthma, and natural gas is a fossil fuel that contributes to the climate crisis. Converting to electric from gas has dual health and climate change benefits.
Symposium, Meetings and Events
- Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Virtual Conference from 3/12-14/21
- Climate Change Meeting with Frontiers Group from London on 3/9/21
- WHO 2021 Global Conf on Health & Climate on 3/2/21
- NorCal Mini Symposium on Climate and Pandemic Resilience on 2/18/21
- 7th Annual Stanford Global Health Research Convening on 1/28/21
- Oral public comment to California Energy Commission workshop on All-Electric 2022 for California on 1/21/21
- Digital Health with Davos Digital Forum on 1/14/21
- Lancet Countdown U.S. Virtual Launch on 12/02/20
- Human and Planetary Health on 10/12/20
- NorCal Symposium on Climate and Pandemic Resilience on 9/25/20
- NYU Impact of Climate Change on Children’s Health on 9/21/20
- Fresno Regional Transportation Summit presentation on impact of air pollution on health by Dr. Mary Prunicki on 10/23/19
- The Healthier Rural West Summit on Fall 2018
- Symposium Uncommon Dialogue: Improving Health and Healthcare in the Rural American West presentations by Dr. Kari Nadeau and Dr. Mary Prunicki on 1/28/18
- Natural Capital Project
From our collaborators
What's the State of your Air?
- For 21 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the "State of the Air" report. The more you learn about the air you breathe, the more you can protect your health and take steps to make the air cleaner and healthier. More information is available at https://www.stateoftheair.org/
State of Tobacco Control
- The 19th annual American Lung Association "State of Tobacco Control" report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives. The report serves as a blueprint for what state and federal leaders need to do to eliminate the death and disease caused by tobacco use. This year's report focuses on the importance of ending tobacco use amid the pandemic, as smoking is a risk factor for the most severe COVID symptoms. This is especially important for those populations and communities most impacted overall by tobacco use and secondhand smoke, who are also facing a disproportionate burden from the pandemic. The report also discusses the actions the new Biden Administration and states need to take to prevent and reduce tobacco use. More information available at https://www.lung.org/research/sotc