Pathways

Law and Policy Pathways: Community Adaptation to Climate Change

PathwaysEnvironment, Climate and HealthClimate Change, Health and Equity (CCHE)Mechanisms for Advancing Health Equity

October 25, 2024
by Emma Kaeser, Jill Krueger, Leah Terry and Nina Belforte

Community adaptation is a process communities utilize to lessen the impacts of climate change locally. Community adaptation policies provide cooling and shade, reduce air and water pollution, mitigate the effects of flooding, and reduce health disparities. Implementing effective community adaptation policies that center health equity involves more than public health departments – it involves housing, energy, transportation, parks and recreation, and other agencies, with community engagement in each step of the process. Community adaptation will continue to be critical to ameliorating the health impacts of climate change and combatting environmental injustices.

View page

Law and Policy Pathways to Increase Affordable Housing

PathwaysHealthy and Affordable Housing

April 20, 2022
by Brianne Schell

About 36 percent of households in the U.S. rent their homes and nearly half spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent. This cost burden means many renters are unable to allocate resources for other important needs such as healthcare, education, and healthy food. Studies have shown that when families gain access to affordable housing, whether rented or owned, their health and quality of life improves. This resource outlines laws and policies, including investing in public housing, mortgage and homeownership assistance, and zoning law reforms that have shown a proven track record of success

View page