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August 27, 2025
News and Updates
Wisconsin's summer of abnormal extreme weather increases potential for health impacts
The Milwaukee community is still recovering from experiencing its second wettest day since 1871 after a record-setting rainfall event on August 9. The storms caused floods throughout southeastern Wisconsin, leading to impassable roads, damaged homes, and power outages. This storm plays into a larger trend; Wisconsin's average yearly precipitation has increased 17%, about 5 inches, since 1950. Events like this can be dangerous to human health not only as they are occurring, but also in the aftermath, when persistently wet homes may develop mold and high water levels become breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitos.
On top of the storms, local air quality levels in the weeks prior had been consistently unsafe for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions as a result of smoke drifting south from regional wildfires, with levels at times high enough to be unsafe for anyone exposed (air quality index above 150). According to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report, Milwaukee's air quality has been worsening year-over-year, with the metro region scoring an "F" for both ozone and particulate matter pollution in 2024. This summer alone, there have been 24 days of poor air quality.
As weather patterns continue changing, it is increasingly important for individuals and organizations to adapt and prepare for extreme weather to reduce related health impacts. At the same time, preparation may become more difficult as federal environmental data tracking is reduced (see the July edition of the SHE Center newsletter). If you have been impacted by the floods of the past several weeks, MCW has compiled resources for students, faculty, and staff on Infoscope.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District readings of inches of precipitation received during the
Aug. 9 storm
State and city offices have also compiled extreme weather response and education resources:
Department of Health Services resources:
- Disaster distress helpline: call or text 1-800-985-5990
- Food safety after a disaster and Replacement of FoodShare or Summer EBT items
- Climate and health program resources
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District resources:
- What to do about water in your basement
- Report a wet basement for tracking
- Sign up for water drop alerts to help reduce stress on our local waterways
MCW medical students publish op-ed on recent air quality impacts on health
Maya Livni, M2, Carlene Kranjac, M4, Salma Sheriff, M3, and Lauren Krist, UW-Madison SMPH M2, published an August 6 op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the health hazards associated with Wisconsin's poor air quality experienced this summer. The students state that they wrote the piece because they "care deeply about the environment and are passionate about addressing the growing threats of climate change." They believe "that effective climate advocacy must be rooted in approaches that are not only evidence-based but also resonate with and are accessible to the broader community."
A rendering of the new Center for Cancer Discovery, including new sustainable design elements
MCW's Center for Cancer Discovery includes sustainable design elements
On August 5, the MCW Center for Cancer Discovery invited campus and community members to an open house to tour the newly constructed facility where MCW researchers aim to make many life-changing discoveries. The MCW Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) team incorporated notable sustainable infrastructure considerations when preparing for the new addition to campus.
The PDC team has previously utilized vendors that offer sustainable options, and continued its engagement with Milliken to incorporate carbon neutral flooring through the M/PACT program. In the Cancer Center's construction specifically, the facade of the building was optimized to reduce hotspots and lessen the energy needed to cool the building. Additionally, the selected construction manager for the building, Mortenson, emphasizes their role as a real estate developer to reduce their impact on the planet. For the MCW project, they incorporated single stream and concrete recycling, electric vehicle charging, reducing plastic waste, and using responsible ice melt products in the winter season. For more details, please contact Marty Van Hoof, PDC Senior Project Manger, at mvanhoof@mcw.edu.
NEJM Call for Climate and Health photo submissions
The New England Journal of Medicine has released a call for submissions of images that highlight the clinical health impacts of climate change. Submissions will be accepted through January 5, 2026. For more information, click here.
Upcoming Events
Local & Regional Events
Zilber Seminar: Advancing Public Health Through Climate Action, September 11
SHE Center Director Christa Wagner, PhD, will present at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Zilber College of Public Heath Seminar Series on September 11 at 9:00am. The Series aims to be a forum to hear the latest in the research and practice of public health to support a just, equitable, healthy future for people, communities, and the environment in Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin, and beyond. More details and a link to attend virtually are available here.
Discounts available to try new campus Bublr bikes, September 15-21
Members of the MRMC community will receive $5 off their first Bublr bike ride from September 15-21 to celebrate Bike Month and the addition of five new Bublr bike stations on the MRMC campus. For more information about biking and other Ride Guide resources to reduce emissions from your commuting, click here or scan the QR code in the image below.
Milwaukee Food Justice Summit, September 19
The Milwaukee Food Council, a local network of individuals and organizations working for a healthy and sustainable food system, will host their Milwaukee Food Justice Summit on September 19 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park. The day will include dynamic presentations and workshops focused on improving Milwaukee’s food system, as well as a presentation from keynote speaker Karen Washington, of Rise & Root Farm in Chester, NY. Click here for more information and to register.
Webinars from the Public Health and Clinical Climate Action Community
Leveraging Data to Drive Effective Heat Protection Policies, September 4, 11am-3pm
The National Academy of Medicine Climate Communities Network will host a webinar, “Leveraging Data to Drive Effective Heat Protection Policies” on September 4, from 11am to 3pm. As extreme heat becomes more frequent, data are essential for shaping policies that reduce harmful exposure and improve health outcomes for communities across the United States. The webinar will feature real-world exemplar policy efforts and practical tools to support data-informed decisions. Optional pre- and post-sessions will offer additional time for tailored discussion and deeper engagement. For more information, click here.
BRACE: A Public Health Model for Climate Action, September 17, 1pm-3pm CST
The American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health, and Equity, in partnership with ecoAmerica, will host a free live training on a newly updated framework, “Building Resilience Against Climate Effects” (BRACE), to support health professionals in advancing health equity and climate resilience. Competencies covered in the training include assessing organizational readiness in the context of climate change and health, building community partnerships to identify climate and health risks, and co-developing solutions. For more information and to register, please click here.
The Green ICU Initiative: Sustainability in Healthcare for a Healthier Future, September 17, 8am-3pm
Houston Methodist will host its inaugural Green ICU Conference, titled “The Green ICU Initiative: Sustainability in Healthcare for a Healthier Future,” on September 17. The intended audience includes anyone involved in healthcare delivery, and the conference will discuss topics such as establishing the meaning of sustainability in healthcare and organizing ICU-focused Green Teams. Conference abstracts will be accepted for review until September 1. Please click here for more information and to register.
Climate Week NYC, Sept. 21-28, hybrid
Climate Week NYC is a world-leading global climate event, bringing together a mix of existing and new leaders from the world of business, tech, politics, academia, and civil society. Hybrid events of particular interest to the academic medicine community include Catalyzing Climate and Health Research Impact and Application, hosted by the National Academy of Medicine on Sept. 24, and Health Systems Implementing Climate Action, hosted by the New York Academy of Medicine and Yale Center on Climate Change and Health on Sept. 25.
Climate Ready Classrooms: A Public Health Faculty Development Course on Climate Change, Thursdays, September 4 to November 13, 8am-9:30am
Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, through the Global Consortium for Climate and Health Education (GCCHE), will host a free faculty development course on creating climate ready classrooms. The course will be held on Thursdays from 8am-9:30am CST, from September 4 to November 13. Weekly topics include, “Teaching Climate Change in Public Health – Challenges and Solutions” and “Build Resilient Health Systems by Addressing Health System Vulnerabilities.” Individuals who attend at least 8 of the 11 meetings in the series will receive a certificate for completion. Click here for more information and to register. Additional courses relevant to public health and health professionals are detailed on the GCCHE website.
On Our Radar: Research, Podcasts, and More
Funding Opportunities
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants:
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is accepting applications for grants of $2,500-$50,000 focused on climate change and human health, with rolling deadlines starting Jan. 23, 2025 and extending through July 24, 2026. The Fund plans to dedicate $1 million during that time to projects that pilot ways to reduce healthcare’s climate impact, explore connections between basic science approaches and planetary health, and prepare for climate-related natural disasters. For more information, review the grant details on the Fund website.
Resources & More
MCW is a member of several consortia and membership organizations with different resources to support engagement in climate action in academic medicine. Contact us for any assistance in signing up!
Global Consortium for Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) aims to unite health professional training institutions, health societies, and regional health organizations to create a global climate-ready health sector, prepared to mobilize and lead health promotion and response in the era of climate change, while restoring the health of the planet. Learn more and join here.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Climate Action Virtual Community provides meaningful connection to the myriad people in academic medical centers working across mission areas to address the climate crisis and improve institutional resiliency. Request an account using your MCW email address here. Once your account has been approved, click here to join the Climate Action and Sustainability group.
Practice Greenhealth is the health care sector’s go-to source for information, tools, data, resources, and expert technical support on sustainability initiatives that help hospitals and health systems meet their health, financial, and community goals. Learn more.
Interested in learning more about the SHE Center at an upcoming MCW departmental, institute, or center faculty and/or staff meeting? Email Dr. Wagner to schedule.
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