The global climate is changing, with numerous and complex implications for health. Yet, many of the health threats of climate change are poorly understood and remain on the margins of the global climate discourse.
In recognition of this, the Duke Global Health Institute has launched the Climate and Global Health Initiative to advance understanding of climate-health impacts while prioritizing health equity and environmental justice. The Initiative functions as an interdisciplinary hub, bringing together experts from health, life, social, physical, and human sciences to accelerate research and action. Through this collaborative approach, the Initiative seeks to expand climate-health knowledge; develop and deploy evidence-based adaptation and mitigation strategies; influence policymaking; and develop the next generation of climate-health leaders equipped to address these challenges.
Climate Researchers Look for Big Ideas, Early Wins
At Duke climate symposium, DGHI researchers talk about the need to put promising ideas addressing the health impacts of climate change into practice.
Read MoreRegional Observatories
A cornerstone of CGHI is the establishment of regional climate and health observatories in areas where DGHI has longstanding partnerships and deep expertise. These observatories serve as platforms for transdisciplinary research, education, and community engagement.
DGHI is uniquely positioned to act as a hub for transdisciplinary research, education, and outreach activities to address global health impacts of climate change. We have a long history of working in some of the most climate-vulnerable locations around the world.
Mercedes Bravo
Creating Analytic Infrastructure
The Initiative is building robust data management and sharing infrastructure to support climate-health research across its observatory network. This includes systematic inventory, access, harmonization, and practical use of climate and environmental data—making these resources accessible to health and global health researchers who may have little or no familiarity with climate data.
Developing Human Capacity
The Initiative is committed to preparing the next generation of climate-health researchers, practitioners, and leaders. Through courses, educational resources, hands-on training, and translational research connections, CGHI aims to develop human capacity to address the complex intersections of climate change and global health.
Current Projects
CGHI partners with Duke faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators to develop and pursue research and educational projects addressing the health impacts of climate change.
Climate+ Project: Climate Change is Fueling Fungal Threats Globally
Led by Drs. Thuy Le and Tom Carpino, this project partners with Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania to investigate the intersection of climate change and emerging fungal disease threats.
Contact: Contact CGHI about this project • Climate+ Program
Climate & Health Data Harmonization
Building systematic infrastructure for inventorying, standardizing, and harmonizing climate and health data across CGHI’s observatory network — enabling cross-site analysis and reproducible research workflows.
Contact: Contact CGHI about data infrastructure • Analytic Infrastructure
Short-course Learning Materials
CGHI partnered with the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine on climate-health training materials that are now being adapted into reusable public tutorials and teaching resources.
DGHI to Launch Global Network of Climate Observatories
Focused on regions with long-term partnerships, the observatories aim to advance research and education on the health impacts of climate change.
Read MoreFaculty and Staff
The Climate and Global Health Initiative draws on a broad range of expertise from Duke’s campus and globally.
