Climate Change

Two students collect samples for environmental health field studies off-campus

Climate change will dramatically impact our health for decades. Rollins researchers are working to understand exactly how and find practical solutions.

“Extreme weather events all come with health impacts, from injury to cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health effects. A continued lack of attention to curbing climate change will [have] major impacts on future generations.”

Carmen Marsit, PhD, executive associate dean for faculty affairs and research

Too Hot to Handle

Rollins researchers weigh climate change's impact on wellness.

Higher Temps, Hotter Tempers

Rollins researchers see a correlation between increased ambient temperatures and violence.

Climate Pressures Are Rising in the Southeast U.S.

Data says we’ll see 25-50% population growth by 2050. Environmental and health fallouts are certain.

Wildfires, Smoke, and Anxiety

Researchers say "smoke events” bring a 6.3% increase in mental health-related emergency room visits.

Our Experts at the Forefront

"Warmer temperatures mean that many disease factors will now be able to survive winter, like Lyme-disease-carrying ticks and certain mosquitos that carry West Nile virus and Zika. So we are likely to see a spread in vector-borne diseases in our region."

Yang Liu, PhD

Gangarosa Distinguished Professor and Chair of Environmental Health

“I get to spend my time imagining what a low-emission society would look like. What changes would we see? How could we make those changes most beneficial? That’s exciting because if we get serious about climate change, it would have a profound influence on society. We could see some really beautiful things come out of it.”

Noah Scovronick, PhD

Assistant Professor of Environmental Health

Our Climate Experts in the Media

Why Are Traditional Climate Solutions Falling Short in the American South?

Freethink

Air Pollution could be Threatening the Success of IVF, New Study Finds

19th News

‘Invisible’ Migrant Farmworkers Cope with Hurricane’s Aftermath

Stateline

Real-Time Climate Data Supports Community Health

Georgia faces real climate risks—extreme heat, poor air quality, hurricanes, and sea-level rise—which affect densely populated communities. The Climate and Health Actionable Research and Translation (CHART) Center at Rollins aims to combat this by combining local data and public health research with community partnerships.

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