Our Work
There is no denying the fact that Colorado, like the rest of the world, is heating up.
CHI is driving policy changes that will help Colorado communities become more resilient to climate change and improve health equity for those most profoundly affected.
The world has changed rapidly in the past few years, and the Colorado Health Institute is changing our approach so we can more directly address the critical issues that will advance health equity in Colorado. For 20 years, CHI has worked to advance its mission of improving health for all people in our state. Today, we are zeroing in on three challenges we must address to continue fulfilling that mission — climate change, behavioral health, and integrating our systems of care.
Climate change can seem like a problem so big and broad that everyone is at equal risk. Increased drought, higher temperatures, extreme weather, and other impacts of a changing climate in Colorado will surely affect the lives of everyone who lives here.
Flash floods are a common event in Colorado, especially near a wildfire burn scar. Ongoing preparedness efforts are needed at the individual, community, and public health level to mitigate the risks.
This summer, cities across Colorado have hit record temperatures, with Denver tying its highest temperature ever recorded — 105 degrees. Extreme heat poses health risks to all Coloradans, but for those experiencing homelessness, the risk is even greater.
The 2020 wildfire season has made the cleaner air of spring seem like a distant memory as much of Colorado has been blanketed with harmful smoke, which can negatively impact health, especially for sensitive groups.