Climate change poses a significant and growing threat to public health, with the frequency and severity of extreme weather events — including hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves — increasing in recent years. Research has consistently shown that climate change not only affects overall health outcomes but also worsens existing social and health inequities. Halting research on the intersection of climate change and health will undermine efforts to understand its full impact, delay the development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies, and risk deepening health disparities for the most vulnerable populations.
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Department of Health and Human Services
Non-binding advice and explanations issued by agencies about laws, regulations, and procedures, providing clarity and guidance to the public and regulated entities. It helps inform the public about how regulations are interpreted and implemented, without having the force of law.
Who It Impacts: Employees and divisions within the issuing federal agency. These directives guide how staff enforce regulations, allocate resources, and interpret laws. They may also affect industries regulated by the agency.
Who Is Not Impacted: The general public and businesses are not directly bound by guidance, though these policies may indirectly influence their applications for funding or enforcement practices that affect them.
Date Enacted
March 24, 2025
Last Updated
May 30, 2025
Policy Type
Research and Data
Climate
Health and Disability
Summary
This action terminates National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for any research, academic programs, or initiatives related to climate change. It is part of a broader directive from the federal government to withdraw support from areas that conflict with the administration’s stated priorities, including work focused on gender identity, LGBTQI+ health equity, vaccine hesitancy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Impact Analysis
Legal Challenges
Take Institutional Action
Health Systems and Providers can engage with national organizations working to reduce impact of climate change on human health including the National Academies Climate Crossroads Initiative (https://www.nationalacademies.org/ccx/climate-crossroads) and the National Academy of Medicine Climate Collaborative (https://nam.edu/our-work/programs/climate-change-and-human-health/action-collaborative-on-decarbonizing-the-u-s-health-sector/)
Health Systems and providers should also recognize their contribution to climate change and sign the Health Sector Climate Pledge committing to increased climate resilience and reduced emissions. (https://us.noharm.org/climate-and-health/hhs-health-sector-climate-pledge)
Policy Prior to 2025
In 2021 NIH launched the Climate Change and Health Initiative, a coordinated effort to expand research, training, and policy development focused on the health impacts of climate and environmental change. The initiative received $40 million in congressional appropriations for research activities in both 2023 and 2024, reflecting growing recognition of the urgent public health challenges posed by climate change.
Additional Resources
Archived content: HHS Shares Health Sector Climate Resilience and Emissions Reduction Announcements at COP29
