Research
The RGC advances research on adaptation and disease prevention to lessen the impacts of climate-related hazards on health in at-risk communities.
Our research focuses on communities facing displacement risks and health equity challenges, both locally and globally. Our research agenda aims to positively impact the health and well-being of partnering communities by:
- Preventing disease
- Saving lives, and
- Fostering thriving communities.
Our approach:
- engages partnering communities early and often,
- includes historically marginalized and underserved groups,
- strengthens community capacity,
- uses mixed methods that combine the strengths of the RGC team, and
- applies a One Health lens.
Read more about our current projects below:
- Evaluations of Climate-Informed Early Warning Systems for Foodborne, Waterborne, and Vector-Borne Diseases: A Scoping Review
The RGC is reviewing the evidence for early warning systems that incorporate climate data as an effective infectious disease prevention and control strategy. The protocol was finalized in September 2025, with 9,900 articles retrieved from three scientific databases. The research team is mid-way through screening articles, aiming to conclude the review in the summer of 2026 and publish findings next fall.
- Community-based Research on Changing Risks of Infectious Diseases in Colombia
The RGC is collaborating with the Chang Lab and researchers at Universidad Libre on a pilot study to assess knowledge, risk perceptions, and behaviors related to climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSID) in a Colombian community. Survey data will be contextualized with qualitative research to identify household and community-level factors linked to increased risk for exposure to CSIDs, subsequent illness, and delayed healthcare-seeking.
- Planning for Extreme Heat: Analyzing State and Local Planning Documents
Research Scientist, Sarah Dumas, is working with researchers at Cornell University to build a database of government documents used to plan for, prepare for, and respond to extreme heat at state, county, and city levels across the U.S. The team will analyze the heat plans to describe the “leading practices” and trends in state and local heat governance and planning.
- Climate Change and the Spread of Tick-Borne Diseases in the Mid-Atlantic
RGC researchers are examining the relationship between climate variables and cases of tick-borne diseases in the Mid-Atlantic since 2000. The research team aims to analyze current surveillance, data collection, and prevention strategies across the region with the goal of advancing climate-informed public health solutions for local and regional levels.
- Survey of American Perspectives on Climate-sensitive Infectious Diseases
RGC team members contributed questions on climate adaptation and infectious diseases to Verasight’s Omnibus survey at the APHA 2025 annual meeting. A sample of 3,000 United States adults took the survey in November. Responses revealed that over half of Americans are concerned that climate change could increase their risk of getting an infectious disease. However, in the past year, only about 1 in 3 Americans used mosquito repellent or stayed inside when mosquitos are active, and only 1 in 4 checked for ticks after spending time in the woods. Most Americans (4 in 5) support measures to prevent vector-borne diseases in national climate change policies. View a further breakdown of the results here.
- Pilot Grants
Read more about our Pilot Grants.