Yale Online Climate Change and Health Certificate Program for Working Professionals

Climate change is arguably the greatest public health threat faced by humanity. Governmental and nongovernmental organizations like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), APHA, PAHO, and the World Health Organization note the current and growing adverse impacts of climate change on communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as mental health. Our certificate program is designed for all working professionals who require training to understand and address this mounting threat, including those working in public health, medicine and allied fields, mental health, health education, policy, environmental protection, energy, sustainability, government, advocacy, insurance, and other related fields.

Launched in 2018 as the first-ever online certificate on climate change and health from an accredited U.S. school of public health, this 18-week program for working professionals reflects current science and best practices in the field of climate change and health. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and proven strategies needed to increase your community’s resilience to the adverse health impacts of climate change and to communicate effectively about the health effects of climate change to the public and policymakers. Led by the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, the certificate leverages outstanding faculty to provide learners with an unparalleled opportunity to develop skills and create change.

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Explain the health impacts of climate change and the near-term benefits of mitigating greenhouse gases;
• Devise adaptation strategies to increase community or organizational resilience to the health consequences of climate change and improve health equity; and
• Communicate effectively about climate change and health to enhance adaptive capacity, motivate positive changes in climate-related behaviors, and promote civic engagement to support systemic change.