With the world's attention focused on mechanisms for adaptation to climate variability and change, it is essential, not only for public health communities, but also for planners in central government, to understand the role climate plays in driving disease burden and impacting economic growth. Public health often emerges as the final common pathway for all impacts of climate variability and change on both individuals and society.

As a contribution to this process, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, in partnership with the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) and the Mailman School of Public Health initiated this two-week course in 2008. Building on the response of our 2008 – 2009 -2010 alumni, and partners, is pleased to announce the Summer Institute 2011 course on Climate Information for Public Health, to be held May 16 – May 27, 2011 at the Earth Institute, Columbia University, Lamont Campus located in Palisades, New York.

Overview of the Course

This two week course will provided a balance of concepts and methods from the health and climate communities using an approach deeply oriented toward methodology, gathering and using evidence for decision-making in order for the participants to get in-depth knowledge and skills in decision-making for health-care planning of climate sensitive diseases.

The course will help participants (i) understand the role climate plays in driving the infectious disease burden and public health outcomes, (ii) use new tools for accessing climate and epidemiological data, for analyzing and mapping using the IRI Data Library and other Geographic information Systems (GIS) and (iii) understand management and data integration as an opportunity to improve the decision making process in public health

Learning Outcomes

• Recognize the role climate plays in driving the infectious disease burden and public health outcomes.
• Understand management and data integration as an opportunity to improve the decision making process in Public Health
• Realize the timescales, the benefits and limitations of different climate and environmental data sources including remotely sensed data, meteorological data and climate predictions.
• Use new tools for accessing climate and epidemiological data, for analyzing and mapping through the IRI Data Library and GIS.

Cancellation Policy

Please be advised that IRI reserves the right to cancel the Summer Institute at any time. Scholarship recipients would, in such circumstances, be reimbursed for any visa expenses upon submission of a U.S. Government-issued receipt.

Cancellations must be submitted in writing and are not subject to reimbursement.