Climate and Health
The Climate and Health Program studies how climate change harms people's health in Wisconsin and develops ways to reduce those health impacts with local partners. We also use our research to create strategies, tools, and trainings to help communities adapt to climate change and protect the health and well-being of all Wisconsinites.
Learn more about the link between climate change and health risks, health and safety tips, and the work we do.
Extreme heat
Warm temperatures combined with high humidity can cause heat-related illness and death.
Severe storms
Tornadoes and severe storms bring heavy rains and high winds that can cause serious health risks.
Winter weather
Winter storms often bring high winds, heavy snow, ice, and dangerous cold temperatures.
Drought
Drought conditions can cause breathing problems from dust and particles and a decline in drinking water quality and quantity.
Floods
Learn how to prepare before a flood hits, stay safe during a flood, and clean up safely when flood waters recede.
Outdoor air quality
Breathing polluted air can cause health problems ranging from watery eyes and cough, to asthma, heart attacks, and stroke.
Infectious diseases
Wisconsin is generally becoming warmer and wetter. Higher temperatures are bringing new types of ticks and mosquitoes that spread new diseases.
Summer health hazards data
The summer health hazards dashboard shows near real-time data from emergency department visits for heat illnesses, boating injuries, drownings, and respiratory illnesses from air pollution.
Partner collaborative takes action on climate and health
Climate change is not just a future problem for our kids and grandkids. It’s here, it’s affecting the health of Wisconsinites now, and some of us are impacted more than others. To tackle the climate and public health problem, we need to talk about solutions that safeguard everyone’s health and address climate hazards unique to every community.
To that end, the Climate and Health Program teamed up with Wisconsin Climate and Health Action Together or CHAT, a group of health and climate partners aiming to expand the conversation on health impacts from a changing climate and potential solutions. As we experience more weather extremes and intense natural disasters, we want everyone in the state to know what the risks are and what they can do to stay safe. Our goal is not only to protect the health of all Wisconsinites, but also our state’s special places and outdoor traditions, and our economy.
CHAT is launching a yearlong coordinated campaign starting on Earth Day 2025 (April 22) to boost climate and health knowledge and encourage people to make simple changes that benefit public health and our climate. To find out how you can be part of CHAT’s local climate and health campaigns, visit CHAT's website.
Climate change reports
- Lancet Climate Change Countdown annual report on climate and health impacts – November 2024
- The Fifth National Climate Assessment report on climate impacts, risks, and responses – November 2023
- Achieving 100% Clean Energy in Wisconsin report (PDF) – August 2022
- Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan (PDF) – April 2022
- Clean Energy Plan Progress Report (PDF) – August 2024
- 2021 Climate Assessment report from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts – February 2022
- Governor's Task Force on Climate Change in Wisconsin report – December 2020
Toolkits for health professionals
Toolkits are available to help health professionals provide information and resources on health risks from climate change and extreme weather to patients, clients, and communities. View more toolkits.
View more climate change and health resources for health professionals.
Contact us
For more information, email DHSClimate@dhs.wisconsin.gov or call us at 608-266-1120.