
It is thought that meningitis transmission is facilitated by dust particles transported during strong wind events like the one shown in this satellite image taken over West Africa. RAL scientists have developed a prototype decision support system that integrates weather and health data to provide information that can be used to contain the spread of meningitis epidemics. (Image courtesy NASA).
Human Health
Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) are investigating the complex interactions among meteorological, ecological, social and behavioral processes in order to reduce the impacts of weather variability and climate change on human health. This research is performed with collaborators from U.S. and international universities and agencies, and has the following objectives:
- To understand the complex relationships among weather, climate and human health.
- To determine societal vulnerabilities and appropriate responses and adaptations to weather-and-climate-related threats to human health.
- To provide the state-of-the-art weather, climate, and air quality information in support of public health decision-making.
- To mentor the next generation of researchers in these interdisciplinary areas.
Components

In the EPA-funded project, NCAR researchers used interdisciplinary methods to connect atmospheric science, built environment science and epidemiology to estimate health risks of older adults in Houston, TX from indoor heat. Our findings underscore the importance of considering indoor exposures, the combined effects of high ozone concentrations and extreme heat, and population vulnerability in health effects research on air pollution and extreme heat.
The NCAR Weather, Climate and Health Program has research experience in the United States, including Colorado as well as internationally. Embedded withinNCAR’s Research Applications Laboratory, the program comprises climate, social, and health scientists with research expertise in environmental health (i.e., extreme heat and air quality), vector-borne diseases, GIS, community science, and health systems’ operational preparedness. Current research includes:
Significant Projects
- Understanding climatic and societal factors affect on the abundance of the mosquito Aedes (Ae.) aegypti, and how mosquito abundance translates into Dengue Risk.
- Developing a prototype Earth-gauging system that integrates weather and health data to manage Meningitis in the African Sahel.
- Mapping and modeling Plague in Uganda to improve health outcomes.
Partners
- CDC Climate and Health Program
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Google
- NASA
- The National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation