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Resources for Health Professionals

Birch trees in the fall

Read on for information about the Climate and Health Program, including fact sheets about the program, tools for health professionals, plans, research, and communication resources.

If you have a question or didn't find what you're looking for, email us at dhsclimate@dhs.wisconsin.gov or give us a call at 608-266-1120.

Extreme weather toolkits for health professionals

We created toolkits to help local governments, local health departments, and citizens in Wisconsin preparing for and responding to different weather-related emergencies. We also created one-page fact sheets to accompany each toolkit, which are intended for a general audience. These toolkits and fact sheets include background information, practical response strategies, and communication tools (such as media releases, talking points, definitions, and useful reference materials).

Summer Health Hazards Dashboard

The Summer Health Hazards Dashboard shows near real-time data from emergency department (ED) visits for heat illnesses, boating injuries, drownings, and respiratory illnesses from air pollution in Wisconsin from May through October. Monitoring data on seasonal injuries and illnesses can help health care and public health experts identify trends early and and work with partners to prevent them.

Flood tools

  • Risk Assessment Flood Tool (RAFT)– The RAFT map tool can help local, regional, and state agencies prepare for and respond to floods and manage public health and safety risks. RAFT integrates 32 flood-related spatial data layers in one customizable ArcGIS map, including:
    • 32 data layers from 12 state and federal agencies.
    • FEMA flood hazard layer view in relation to health care locations.
    • Social vulnerability data by census tract.
    • LIVE precipitation data, 72-hour precipitation forecast, flood advisory feeds, and river flood level status.
  • Flood Resilience Scorecard (FRS)– The Wisconsin Climate and Health Program and the University of Wisconsin (UW) Sea Grant created the Flood Resilience Scorecard (FRS), an online flood planning checklist that helps local governments and communities:
    • Assess past, current, and projected flood impacts holistically.
    • Identify ways to improve their flood-readiness with customized recommendations and links to funding opportunities and technical assistance resources.
    • Complete the FRS process quickly with compiled data needed to fill out the checklist.

Wisconsin heat vulnerability indices

  • Wisconsin Heat Vulnerability Index
    We conducted a geospatial analysis of heat-related morbidity and mortality of Wisconsin and the Greater Milwaukee urban area, with assistance from the DHS Bureau of Information Technology Services staff. This analysis resulted in a heat vulnerability index (HVI) based on existing population and census data, GIS environmental data layers, climate and weather data, and disease rates to identify areas of greatest risk for negative health impacts due to extreme heat. Identified high-risk neighborhoods and populations will receive targeted messaging related to heat events and additional resources during extreme heat events. Complete Report, P-00882 (PDF)
  • Milwaukee Heat Vulnerability Index, P-00882a (PDF)
    Looks specifically at Milwaukee County's heat vulnerability using the same indicators as the Wisconsin Heat Vulnerability Index.

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 launched a yearlong coordinated campaign 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.

Infographics

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites (PDF)

Fact sheets

Videos

Informational materials

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has produced a series of "Ready Wrigley" educational materials for children to learn about being prepared for natural disasters in their community and home, including coloring books and checklists.

Climate change reports

Climate change websites

Glossary

 
Last revised June 23, 2025