Our Seventh Annual Virginia Climate Crisis Forum will focus on the theme, Climate Change is a Health Emergency, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Fan Tait, former Chief Medical Officer of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Neelu Tummala will then host a panel discussion with Dr. Samantha Ahdoot, founder of Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, and Bobby Scott, co-founder of VCU’s chapter of Medical Students for a Sustainable Future.

Health professionals around the world are reporting the severe harm that climate change is having on their patients health. Asthma and cardiovascular disease are increasingly more common due to poor air quality and longer allergy seasons. Extreme weather events affect physical and mental health due to disaster and/or displacement. This especially pertains to our most vulnerable, including children, older adults, communities of color, and low-income communities. However, there are promising solutions available that provide tremendous health and equity benefits to our short and long-term health!