Your health is connected to our climate. Changes in our environment increasingly shape the conditions in which we live, work, and breathe.

Extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, and poor air quality are not only environmental concerns. They are also public health concerns. These conditions can affect everyone, but some people face greater risks, including:

• Children and older adults.
• People with disabilities or chronic health conditions.
• People experiencing homelessness.
• People who work outdoors.
• Communities with limited resources to prepare for or recover from an emergency.

Local data connects climate and health.

We’re excited to launch four new dashboards. These tools show how weather and environmental conditions may influence health in Pierce County. Our four climate-focused dashboards provide information about:

• Asthma.
• Emergency department visits related to:
  • Cold weather.
  • Hot weather.
  • Fire and smoke.

These dashboards strengthen our ability to track local health trends. The information can also support prevention efforts, emergency preparedness planning, and community response.

Data alone does not prevent harm. However, it can help communities, healthcare systems, and public agencies identify patterns, prepare for health risks, and respond effectively.

Ensuring the needs of all communities.

Climate-related events do not affect everyone equally. For example:

• Wildfire smoke can worsen breathing problems like asthma, especially for children, older adults, and people with existing health conditions.
• Extreme heat creates greater risks for people who do not have stable housing, access to air conditioning, or safe working conditions.
• Cold weather can lead to illness and injury. It can also make it harder for vulnerable populations— including people experiencing homelessness—to access care and essential services.

Too often, the experiences and needs of these communities are overlooked. We’re working to make sure our community addresses their needs.

Recently, we worked with local partners to help develop a national toolkit. The toolkit explains how communities can use emergency department data to better serve people with disabilities before, during, and after climate-related events.

By making local data easier to understand and use, we hope it will support informed decision-making and conversations about climate-related health risks and assist with protecting the people most likely to be affected.

We’ll continue to expand our public data in the months and years ahead. Follow our social media accounts and sign up for the Your Reliable Source blog for regular updates on this and important public health topics.