Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health · UC San Diego
The CARE Research Group studies how a changing climate shapes population health — linking exposure data on heat, precipitation, and mineral dust to large clinical and surveillance datasets, and partnering with public agencies and communities to turn evidence into action.
What we do
We combine environmental epidemiology with causal inference and predictive modeling to understand how climate variability drives human disease — and to build early-warning systems and operational guidance for health departments and clinicians.
Our name reflects our mission: CARE — Climate epidemiology to promote Adaptation, Resilience, and Equity. Across every project we ask two questions: how might climate change alter disease risk in the future, and how can climate information be used today to protect the communities most exposed? We work in close partnership with public agencies and community organizations so that our science is responsive to real-world needs.
Research themes
Establishing the climate and environmental drivers of Valley fever — and extending to blastomycosis — with forecasting tools now used in partnership with public health agencies in California and Arizona.
Linking high-resolution dust and heat exposure to birth outcomes and emergency care across the western U.S., from the Salton Sea to the Central Valley, with communities at the center.
Using more than a billion bikeshare trips worldwide to understand how heat, precipitation, and wildfire smoke reshape physical activity — and what makes cities resilient.
Linking rainfall, flooding, and climate cycles such as ENSO to diarrheal disease in arid regions — from Botswana to Jordan — to anticipate outbreaks months ahead.
Equity in practice
In the Eastern Coachella and Imperial Valleys, we partner with Unidas por Salud and its network of promotoras and with Los Amigos de la Comunidad in Brawley to co-develop research priorities, run bilingual community meetings, and produce accessible materials. Together we are designing a community-engaged study of heat and dust risk perceptions and adaptation among pregnant residents.
California Department of Public Health · Arizona Department of Health Services · Unidas por Salud · Los Amigos de la Comunidad · UC Dust Consortium
With gratitude for support from
Our research is made possible by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the California Air Resources Board, and the NIH Fogarty International Center.
Latest
← Add new papers, grants, talks, and team news here as they happen.
We welcome prospective PhD students, postdocs, and collaborators who care about protecting human health from climate and environmental hazards.
How to join the group