Climate Change and Health

Ambassadors

Incoming Chair:
Veronica Irvin, PhD, MPH, FSBM

Awards/Annual Meeting Co-Chairs:
Bengucan Gunen
Allie Reimold, PhD

Dissemination & Engagement Co-Chairs:
Analisa Vavaso
Francesca Wilkins

Description/Mission Statement

The Climate Change and Health SIG was formed in 2023 with the mission of addressing climate change, health, and health equity through behavioral medicine research, advocacy, and education. We envision that behavioral medicine scientists will be on the forefront to contribute meaningfully to climate change research, advocacy, and education with the goal of addressing and preventing catastrophic climate events. At its formation the SIG had approximately 60 members with wide ranging disciplinary backgrounds. We are eager to engage with other SBM SIGs and external stakeholder organizations. We welcome new members who have an interest in how their research can be informed by a climate change and health perspective.

Opportunities to Engage with the Climate Change and Health SIG

Join the SIG roster or to be added to the listserv: Log in to the Members Only section of the SBM website, click My Profile, and then edit the SIG section under the Professional tab. If you have questions or difficulty, email info@sbm.org

2026 Climate Change and Health SIG Outstanding Abstract Awards

Outstanding Poster - Tyson Murray: “Pilot Trial of a Heat Acclimatization Schedule to Support Children’s Outdoor Play During Extreme Heat”
Outstanding Oral Presentation - Dr. Alexandria Reimold: “Climate labels on restaurant menus reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve meal nutrition: a randomized controlled trial”
Outstanding Symposium - Drs. Sara Fleszar-Pavlovic, Dahlia Stott, Julia Wolfson, and Alexandria Reimold: “Integrating Behavioral Science Perspectives to Promote Sustainable Food Choices: From Individual Psychology to Policy Implementation”

2025 Climate Change and Health SIG Outstanding Abstract Awards

Outstanding Abstract Award - Drs. Veronica Irvin, Xiangyou Shen, Jean Bikomeye: “Translating Behavioral Change Strategies for Climate Change Interventions”
Outstanding Poster Abstract Award - Lucy Kho: “Effects of an Experiential Climate Resilience Course on Mental Health and Climate Action in Young Adults”
Outstanding Early Career Abstract Award - Dr. Jean Bikomeye: “Urban greenspace and cardiovascular disease comorbidity at breast cancer diagnosis in the US: Regional, racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic variations among older women”

2023 Climate Change and Health SIG Outstanding Abstract Awards

The Climate Change and Health SIG awards a select number of outstanding abstracts submitted to the Annual Meeting.
The 2023 awardees include:

Dr. Paquito Bernard: “A systematic review of sleep and ambient temperature associations in a warming climate”
Dr. Ann Cheney: “Unidas por Salud: The role of promotoras in addressing climate change and child health along the Salton Sea in inland Southern California”
Dr. Annette La Greca: “Does disaster evacuation affect child health?”
Dr. Maricarmen Vizcaino: “Save the materials, save the landfill: a qualitative exploration of strategies and barriers for the adoption of reusable cups”