Our changing climate poses an immediate and growing threat to human health. We believe we can take actions to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to live their healthiest lives—today and for generations to come.
At the CDC Foundation, we're supporting young leaders as they bring their voices, energy and ideas to the urgent work of addressing the climate-related health challenges we face.
In 2023, we announced $550,000 in funding to 11 organizations across the United States focused on engaging young people in raising awareness about the connections between climate and health and helping their communities respond to environment-related health challenges.
This video showcases two summits that brought together youth, teachers and youth advocates from these organizations to discuss actionable strategies that can be used to share climate and health information:
Supporting Youth-Lead Communication and Outreach
To help inform our climate and health approach, we worked with youth leaders who shared their experiences and innovative ideas.
The members of our Youth Council inspired others to prepare for today’s changing climate and the health issues future generations may face. In support of this work, the youth council:
- Created a series of TikTok videos to share information about the health impacts of our changing climate
- Held an online discussion about how to get involved in community-led activities
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Provided guidance on how the CDC Foundation can continue to meaningfully engage youth in our public health planning
Living in Texas, I’ve realized temperatures have been continuously rising in the summers and this had led to the inability for me to grow up with the freedom of playing outside whenever I’d like to.
– Haley Reese, member of the CDC Foundation Youth Council
Through the social media campaign I’m a part of, I’ve been able to implement, weave my work at school with the campaign we’re doing.
– Genesis, member of the CDC Foundation Youth Council
Hear Their Voices
To launch our work engaging youth, we hosted an Instagram live where we asked for videos hearing directly from today’s youth. Watch the videos and hear the stories they shared:
Together, we can find actionable, sustainable and scalable solutions to accelerate the capacity, preparedness and resiliency of communities across the country.
Join us by getting involved today! If you would like to have an immediate impact, you can give today to help us accelerate our nation's capacity, preparedness and resilience to extreme weather events, changing air quality and other national and local health challenges. Donate Now