CLIMATE HEALTH EQUITY PLAN Building a healthier, more equitable Ventura County for today and tomorrow July 2026
Protecting Health Promoting Wellness
Addressing Climate Change Advancing Health Equity
Together for a Resilient, Healthy Ventura County
Release date: July 2026 For more information about Ventura County Public Health’s Climate Health Equity Plan and activities, please email HealthEducation@venturacounty.gov
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Ventura County Public Health is proud to introduce its first Climate Health Equity Plan. With Ventura County identified as the fastest-warming county in the contiguous United States, this plan reflects an urgent commitment to protect community health and ensure all residents have the resources needed to thrive in a changing climate. Climate-related hazards such as extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and poor air quality disproportionately impact historically underserved communities. Centering health equity, the plan draws on guidance from state and national public health authorities and incorporates the best available data to address these disparities. Implementation is already underway through culturally responsive outreach, strengthened climate messaging, expanded community engagement, and ongoing efforts to secure funding. This action-oriented plan provides a framework for prevention, health promotion, and preparedness while aligning with Ventura County’s broader climate goals and Climate Action Plan. Addressing climate-related health impacts requires collaboration across sectors, and Ventura County Public Health invites all partners and residents to join in building a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable future for all.
Rigoberto Vargas, MPH Director Ventura County Public Health
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TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR ................................................................................ 3 PART 1 — WHY THIS PLAN MATTERS .......................................................................... 5 1.1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................ 5 1.2 THE GLOBAL CLIMATE THREAT .................................................................................... 5 1.3 LOCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR VENTURA COUNTY ................................................................. 6 1.4 COMMUNITY CLIMATE RESILIENCE ............................................................................... 7 PART 2 — THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE ................................................................ 9 2.1. THE ROLE OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS ..................................................... 9 2.2 TEN PRIORITY CLIMATE-HEALTH RISKS IN VENTURA COUNTY ............................................. 9 2.3 IDENTIFYING AT-RISK POPULATIONS .......................................................................... 11 PART 3 — STRUCTURE & IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................. 13 3.1 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................. 13 3.2 GOAL .................................................................................................................. 13 3.3 CORE ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN .................................................................................. 14 3.4 MISSION, VISION, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES ............................................................... 15 3.5 ROLE OF THE CLIMATE HEALTH EQUITY COORDINATOR ................................................... 15 3.6 FOCUS AREAS AND THE SMARTIE FRAMEWORK ........................................................... 16 3.6 IMPLEMENTATION .................................................................................................. 17 4.1 YEAR 1 & 2 PRIORITIES (2026-2028) ......................................................................... 21 4.1 INTENDED OUTCOMES AND EVALUATION .................................................................... 22 4.3 LOOKING AHEAD: BUILDING COMMUNITY-CENTERED CLIMATE RESILIENCE ........................ 24 APPENDIX I. GLOSSARY OF TERMS .......................................................................... 25 APPENDIX II. TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES ......................................... 26 APPENDIX III. TEN CLIMATE RISKS & AT-RISK POPULATIONS IN VENTURA COUNTY .. 28 APPENDIX IV. CLIMATE RISK COMMUNICATION FRAMEWORK ................................. 45 HOW TO USE THE CRC FRAMEWORK .............................................................................. 53 APPENDIX V. IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP OF POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES ...................... 63 APPENDIX VI. REFERENCES .................................................................................. 101 Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 4 |Page
PART 1 — WHY THIS PLAN MATTERS 1.1 Background 1.2 The Global Climate Threat 1.3 Local Implications for Ventura County 1.4 Community Climate Resilience
1.1 Background Over the past decade, public health agencies around the world, including in the United States, have increasingly recognized climate change as one of the most significant threats to population health in the 21st century. While efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance climate adaptation have traditionally been led by sectors such as energy, transportation, water resources, agriculture, land use planning, and ecosystem conservation, public health has emerged as a critical partner in preparing communities for the health impacts of a changing climate. As understanding of the effects of rising temperatures, worsening air quality, drought, flooding, severe weather events, changing patterns of infectious disease, and disruptions to food and water systems has grown, so too has recognition that these impacts are not experienced equally. Advances in climate, health, and social vulnerability data have made it increasingly possible to identify which communities face the greatest risks and why, revealing how existing structural inequities can amplify climate-related health burdens. In the following sections, this Climate Health Equity Plan provides a roadmap for building long-term public health capacity to address the growing health impacts of climate change. Through the implementation of plan activities and the integration of climate and health equity principles into everyday practice, VCPH will strengthen its ability to prevent illness, protect vulnerable populations, foster community resilience, and help ensure that all Ventura County residents can thrive in a changing climate.
1.2 The Global Climate Threat International scientific assessments continue to demonstrate that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions released through the extraction and burning of fossil fuels to power vehicles, buildings, food production, and industry are trapping solar radiation (heat) within the atmosphere and driving changes in the Earth’s climate system. 1 These impacts are compounded by deforestation and the declining ability of Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 5 |Page
oceans to absorb (sequester) excess carbon dioxide, further destabilizing global weather patterns and contributing to rising temperatures, worsening environmental conditions, and increasing health risks. Moreover, the costs of the climate crisis continue to rise. A 2023 report in Nature Communications calculated that the global cost of extreme events attributable to climatic change is $143 billion per year and the “majority (63%), of this is due to human loss of life.” 2 The authors also noted that the study excluded costs related to other extreme weather impacts, such as psychological trauma, loss of educational access, community displacement, cultural heritage loss, and job loss—all of which would further increase the overall costs. California is experiencing the impacts of climate change both through singular hazards and through increasingly frequent co-occurring and cascading events. According to contributors to California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment, California has experienced two “millennial-scale” droughts within the past 15 years, driven in part by higher temperatures that increase evaporation and soil moisture loss. 3 Warming temperatures and prolonged drought conditions have also intensified vegetation drying, increasing the amount of available wildfire fuel and contributing to larger and more destructive wildfire seasons. Within the past fifteen years approximately 10% of California’s land area burned in wildfires, underscoring the scale and severity of climate-related risk intensification. 4 Although effective strategies to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are well-established, implementation is not currently occurring at the scale or pace needed to limit future warming and avert significant impacts. 5
1.3 Local Implications for Ventura County While climate change is a global issue, its impacts on public health are becoming increasingly significant in local communities. Ventura County has already experienced measurable warming, and consistent with global and regional climate projections, temperatures are expected to continue rising over the coming decades. Although scientific understanding of climate change continues to advance through improvements in monitoring, modeling, and data analysis, the climate system remains highly complex. Interconnected feedback loops, nonlinear processes, and interactions among environmental and human systems can amplify or moderate impacts, making some outcomes difficult to predict with complete precision. In addition, Ventura County's unique geography, environmental conditions, and socioeconomic characteristics influence how climate-related hazards are experienced across different communities. Despite these uncertainties, the best available science indicates that Ventura County will likely experience the following climate-related changes in the coming decades:
Temperature Increases Between 2021-2040 (compared to 1950-2005 baseline) 6 • •
Inland areas of the county are projected to warm by approximately 3–5° F Coastal areas are projected to warm by approximately 2–3° F
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What Rising Temperatures Mean As temperatures continue to rise, Ventura County is expected to experience more frequent and severe climate-related hazards, as well as changes in the timing, duration, and distribution of climate impacts, including: • • • • •
More frequent and longer-lasting extreme heat events; Worsening drought conditions and water supply challenges; Increased wildfire risk; Greater coastal flooding and sea level rise impacts; and Poorer air quality from ozone formation, 1 wildfire smoke and particulate matter.
These climate impacts will affect health both directly and indirectly. Direct impacts include heat-related illness, respiratory distress, and mortality associated with extreme weather and environmental exposure. Indirect impacts include worsening chronic disease, mental health stressors, disruptions to food and water systems, displacement, reduced access to care, and broader social and economic instability. Climate-amplified weather disasters can place additional strains on healthcare systems, emergency preparedness, and community resilience. More information on regional climate impacts is available in California’s Fourth and Fifth Climate Change Assessments.
1.4 Community Climate Resilience While all Ventura County residents are affected by climate change, its impacts are not experienced equally. Existing social, economic, environmental, and health inequities influence both exposure to climate-related hazards and the ability of individuals and communities to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate-related events. The concept of climate resilience has evolved beyond simply recovering from climate-related shocks. Increasingly, it emphasizes the capacity of communities and systems to adapt, learn, and thrive amid ongoing environmental change and uncertainty. This perspective recognizes the interconnected nature of environmental, social, and health systems and the need to address the underlying factors that shape vulnerability and adaptive capacity. 7 From a public health perspective, strengthening community resilience requires prioritizing populations that experience disproportionate and cumulative burdens associated with environmental exposures, substandard housing conditions, occupational risks, economic insecurity, and other social determinants of health.
Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant formed when emissions from vehicles, power plants, refineries, and other industrial sources chemically react in the presence of heat and sunlight. Ozone pollution is most likely to reach unhealthy levels during hot, sunny conditions and can contribute to a range of health problems, particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.). 1
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By intentionally centering equity, climate adaptation and mitigation efforts can help reduce disparities, improve health outcomes, and ensure that all communities have access to the resources needed to build resilience.
Figure 1. Graphic illustrating the VCPH Climate Health Equity Approach
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PART 2 — THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE 2.1 The Role of Public Health in the Climate Crisis 2.2 Ten Priority Climate-Health Risks in Ventura County 2.3 Identifying At-Risk Populations
2.1. The Role of Public Health in the Climate Crisis Leading organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Public Health Association (APHA), have called for urgent action to address the health impacts of the climate health crisis. In its 2023 guidance, APHA emphasized the critical role local health departments play in protecting communities from emerging and evolving climate health threats. 8 Applying a public health lens to climate change creates opportunities to leverage established preventionfocused, equity-centered, and community-informed approaches to reduce health risks, strengthen resilience, and advance health equity. Public health agencies are uniquely positioned to support these efforts through surveillance, assessment, risk communication, partnership development, and community engagement. Lessons learned from previous emergencies—including extreme heat events, wildfire smoke exposure, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health crises—demonstrate the value of proactive planning, trusted communication, strong community partnerships, and data-informed decision-making. Public health agencies like VCPH are uniquely positioned to connect climate science, health data, disaster preparedness, community engagement, and equity-focused action.
2.2 Ten Priority Climate-Health Risks in Ventura County Our plan outlines specific climate-related health risks as a critical first step in developing effective prevention, promotion, and preparedness strategies. Guided by the work of the California Department of Public Health’s Climate Change and Health Equity Branch and informed by California’s Fourth and Fifth Climate Assessments, VCPH has identified ten priority climate health risks that have the potential to affect residents across the county. 1. Extreme Heat: Increased risk of heat-related illness and death; cardiovascular and respiratory distress; exacerbation of chronic conditions, 9, 10 ,11 adverse medication and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) interactions, 12 and occupational exposures.13,14,15, 16
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2. Wildfire Smoke & Poor Air Quality: Exposure to wildfire smoke, ozone pollution, and increased allergens, contributing to asthma, other respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular disease. 17, 18,19 ,20 3. Flooding & Storm Events: Disruption to healthcare access; injuries, exposure to water-borne diseases and mold; 21, 22, 23 infrastructure damage; and compounded impacts associated with sea level rise. 4. Drought, Water Insecurity & Water Quality Impacts: Water scarcity 24 and water quality concerns; 25 sanitation challenges; impacts on agriculture; and increases in the occurrence and distribution of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in marine and freshwater environments. 26, 27, 28, 29 5. Vector-Borne Diseases: Expansion of insect-, rodent-, and bat-borne diseases and changes in the distribution and seasonality of disease vectors. 30, 31, 32, 33 6. Infectious Diseases (Including Valley fever): Increased exposure to fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens, resulting in heightened risks of infectious disease transmission and illness. 34, 35, 36, 37 7. Mental Health Impacts: Chronic stressors; increased anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health challenges. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 8. Food System & Nutrition Impacts: Threats to food security; malnutrition; disruptions to food production and distribution; and increased risk of food-borne illnesses. 43, 44, 45 9. Strain on Healthcare & Infrastructure: Increased demand on healthcare systems; disruption of essential services, challenges to emergency response capacity; and damage to critical infrastructure.46, 47, 48, 49 10. Social & Economic Disruption: Job loss and financial burdens; 50 housing instability; degraded living conditions; 51, 52, 53 exacerbation of racial and health disparities; 54, 55, 56 displacement and forced migration; and increased social conflict. As climate-amplified weather extremes increase in frequency, many of the singular hazards noted above may co-occur with or evolve into cascading events which can contribute to worse health outcomes. For example: • • •
Heat increases ozone formation and worsens air quality Wildfires contribute to both air pollution and post-fire flooding risk Drought exacerbates dust exposure and Valley fever risk
Our plan recognizes these relationships and aims to help communities and the health sector better anticipate and prepare for compound and cascading climate events.
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2.3 Identifying At-Risk Populations Understanding who is most at risk from the harmful effects of climate change is a fundamental component of this plan. Ventura County Public Health uses a data-informed, equity-centered approach to identify populations that are currently experiencing, or are likely to experience, disproportionate climate-related health impacts. This approach integrates available public health, environmental, demographic, and social vulnerability data to better understand patterns of exposure to climate hazards, existing health disparities, environmental burdens, social determinants of health, and the capacity of individuals and communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related events. Together, these factors help identify populations and places that may face heightened climate-related risks and inform the development of targeted prevention, preparedness, and resilience-building strategies. This plan relies on the at-risk population categories identified by the California Department of Public Health. 57 A detailed description of the populations disproportionately affected by Ventura County’s ten priority climate–health risks, along with associated compounding and structural factors that may increase vulnerability, is provided in Appendix III. These descriptions are intended to serve as a starting point for understanding climate-related health inequities and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all populations that may be affected. In Ventura County, populations that may face greater risks from climate-related health impacts include, but are not limited to, individuals and communities who: • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
Are experiencing homelessness Are age groups, such as older adults or infants and children Are pregnant (e.g., extreme heat is associated with increased risk of preterm birth and stillbirth) Have a disability, have access and functional needs (AFN), or are homebound Are affected by chronic health conditions or other illnesses Use electricity-dependent assistive technology and medical equipment Are affected by certain mental health or behavioral health conditions, or substance abuse disorders Are taking certain medications (e.g., during extreme heat, medications like antidepressants, betablockers and other heart medications, or substances like alcohol, can interfere with the body’s internal “thermostat” or impair sweating) Are physically or socially isolated Are members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other gender identities and sexual orientations (LGBTQ+) community (e.g., greater risk of being displaced during disasters) Are immigrants or refugees, especially those who lack the rights of citizenship Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes and/or are experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services, including those without health insurance Are from/of historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities, particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations
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• • • • • • •
•
Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards (e.g., coastal areas and sea level rise/flooding; urbanized areas that experience greater heat island effects; homes in areas at greater risk of wildfires) Live in substandard housing Live in mobile or manufactured homes, rental housing, or single room occupancy (SRO) units Work outdoors (e.g., agricultural workers, construction workers) Work indoors in non-cooled/non-air-conditioned spaces (e.g., warehouse workers), environments with poor indoor air quality, or other climate-vulnerable indoor environments Work in protective service occupations, including emergency responders Are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated Otherwise lack access and/or mobility options to travel to health-protective places (e.g., cooling/warming, clean air, extreme weather, or other community-based respite centers or shelters) Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
Therefore, strengthening climate resilience in Ventura County requires coordinated efforts that center equity, foster inclusive partnerships, strengthen community connections, and support adaptive learning. 58 By working collaboratively with community partners, VCPH seeks to advance equitable solutions that reduce climate-related health risks and help communities prepare for the challenges of a changing climate.
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PART 3 — STRUCTURE & IMPLEMENTATION 3.1 Purpose 3.2 Goal 3.3 Core Elements 3.4 Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles 3.5 Role of the Climate Health Equity Coordinator 3.6 Focus Areas and SMARTIE Framework 3.7 Implementation
3.1 Purpose This plan is intended to serve as a resource for integrating climate-health equity into Ventura County Public Health programs and partnerships while also supporting actions to strengthen near- and long-term climate resilience within public health systems and communities. Specifically, this plan is designed to integrate climate considerations into all aspects of public health practice, through: • • • • •
Supporting coordinated climate-health action; Advancing equity-centered public health strategies; Strengthening climate-health communication and education; Improving use of data and climate-health indicators; and Fostering cross-sector partnerships.
This plan serves as a living document to guide action, track progress, and identify emerging threats and projects to advance climate health equity across the county. It is intended to be iterative and adaptable as new data, partnerships, funding opportunities, and climate-health priorities emerge over time.
3.2 Goal The goal of this plan is to “Build a sustainable foundation for integrating climate and health
equity across VCPH programs by protecting health, advancing equity, and ensuring that climate actions benefit all communities, especially those most at risk—using evidencebased, data-driven, and community informed approaches.”
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3.3 Core Elements of the Plan The graphic below will help the reader navigate through this plan and how the elements connect. The bottom rectangle indicates how the Scope of Work is the foundation for this plan. The Guiding Principles in the row above underpin the Equity Focus, the Mission, Vision, and Key Definitions. They direct the overarching themes and assumptions of the plan, and alignment with the Ten Essential Public Health Services (see Appendix II). All these components feed into the chart of the Objectives, Strategies, and Activities, which flow into the main recommended priorities for the next year. This structure builds the “home” of interconnected aspects of the climate health equity integration strategy for VCPH. While this plan provides a critical foundation, it was developed without direct community participation—an essential component for achieving equitable and effective outcomes. To address this, VCPH will convene a community focus group to gather feedback and strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations.
Figure 2. Illustration of the VCPH Climate Health Equity Plan structure
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Foundational activities are expected to be completed in Year 1, with additional actions advanced in Year 2. These efforts track with the delivery of CDPH’s forthcoming Shared Vision and Action Plan Guide for Local Health Jurisdictions on Climate Change and Health Equity, due to be released in 2027, to which VCPH is contributing feedback.
3.4 Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles Mission To protect and promote the health and well-being of everyone in Ventura County from climate-related health impacts and to integrate public health into climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Vision All Ventura County residents will have access to the information and education needed to prevent the harmful health impacts of climate change. Guiding Values/Principles of the Plan V1. Health equity/ Improve health for all V2. Value lived experiences/ Value technical expertise V3. Promote integrative and intersectional approaches (no siloes) V4. Foster collective impact
3.5 Role of the Climate Health Equity Coordinator The Climate and Health Equity Coordinator collaborates across the department, with other government agencies, and with community partners to implement the Climate Health Equity Plan. The Coordinator focuses on: • • • •
Identifying climate-related health risks using health and environmental data and community testimonials; Convening and coordinating public health efforts to address the root causes of climate vulnerability and promote climate health equity in Ventura County; Advancing equity-driven, cross-sector strategies that strengthen climate resilience and reduce systemic health disparities; and Assessing and strengthening internal (VCPH) knowledge on and capacity to address climate impacts and inequities.
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3.6 Focus Areas and the SMARTIE Framework To advance the plan’s overarching goal, work efforts are organized into Focus Areas with corresponding Objectives, Strategies, and Activities. Guided by the SMARTIE Framework, VCPH’s climate and health equity initiatives are aligned across programs and grounded in evidence-based, data-driven, and community-informed approaches. Table 1 below illustrates this structure.
Table 1. Focus Areas, Objectives, and Strategies of the Climate Health Equity Plan
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3.6 Implementation This plan is both evidence-informed and action-oriented, advancing climate and health equity through prevention, health promotion, and preparedness while fostering a shared understanding of priorities, roles, and strategies among internal and external partners. This plan complements broader climate initiatives but is not an emergency response plan, 2 climate mitigation or adaptation plan, or countywide climate action plan. 3 Rather, it focuses on the public health actions needed to reduce climate-related health risks, address health inequities, and strengthen community resilience in the face of a changing climate. Drawing upon community partnerships, multidisciplinary expertise, and data-driven insights, this Climate Health Equity Plan translates priorities into action to advance climate resilience and health equity. This plan includes implementation Activities aligned with its Objectives, Strategies, and Ten Identified Climate Risks, all of which were reviewed to ensure consistency with its Guiding Values and Principles. Activities will be implemented collaboratively with internal and external partners using evidence-informed and practice-based approaches. SMARTIE objectives and outcome measures will support accountability, continuous improvement, and progress toward reducing climate-related health disparities, protecting disproportionately affected populations, and strengthening community and public health resilience.
Using Data and Tools to Inform Action As a trusted source of population health data and expertise, Public Health is uniquely positioned to support climate planning and risk reduction efforts. VCPH draws on multiple data sources and analytical tools to assess climate vulnerabilities, identify priority populations, and inform evidence-based prevention, promotion and preparedness activities, including: • • • • • • •
California Healthy Places Index (HPI), CalEnviroScreen, and California Vulnerable Communities Platform, to identify disadvantaged communities; CalHeatScore to assess heat vulnerability; California’s Fifth Climate Assessment Peer-reviewed research Epidemiological surveillance systems to track health outcomes; GIS mapping tools to visualize exposure and risk; and Local data on housing, workforce, and environmental conditions
These tools can support targeted, equity-driven interventions and improve the County’s ability to anticipate and respond to climate-related health risks.
Ventura County Public Health’s Contingency Plan for Heat/Cold Weather Events is managed by Emergency Medical Services 3 Ventura County’s Climate Action Plan is managed by the Sustainability Division 2
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Leveraging Community Partnerships & Expertise
Figure 3. Revised CDC BRACE framework with six key elements (UMASS Chan Medical School, 2026)
We work with community partners to help inform, implement and evaluate education and outreach activities, ensuring that resources reach across the county and meet the needs of the most at-risk populations. VCPH embraces the California Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (CalBRACE) framework 59 that helps local health jurisdictions, tribes, and community-based organizations understand and plan to address the health impacts of climate
Roadmap of Activities The Roadmap of Possible Implementation Activities (Appendix V) serves as the operational framework for translating goals, objectives, and strategies into practice. It provides a comprehensive list of 44 potential Activities that may be led, coordinated, or supported by the Climate and Health Equity Coordinator in collaboration with other VCPH staff and external partners. Each Activity is organized under a corresponding Objective and Strategy and mapped to one or more of Ventura County’s Ten Priority Climate–Health Risks and has been reviewed for alignment with this plan’s Guiding Values and Principles. Activities have been further categorized according to potential Spheres of Impact, anticipated Resource Requirements, relevant Partners, and connection to the Ten Essential Public Health Services. Activities are also aligned with Ventura County Public Health’s Strategic Plan and the County of Ventura General Plan, including the Climate Action Plan and Climate Action Elements where applicable.
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The Spheres of Impact and Resource Requirements are intended as conceptual planning tools. Spheres of Impact may include efforts focused on specific population groups (e.g., farmworkers, older adults, children), community settings (e.g., neighborhoods, schools, healthcare facilities), regional initiatives (countywide or Central Coast), or state-level collaborations. Resource Requirements may include staffing, funding, organizational capacity, technical expertise, partnerships, policy development, data infrastructure, or other supports necessary to advance implementation.
Figure 4. Illustration of the Climate Health Equity Plan components (risks, focus areas, activities, and criteriaimplementation filters)
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The Climate Health Equity Workgroup (CHEW) The Climate Health Equity Workgroup (CHEW) is comprised of staff from across divisions in the Ventura County Public Health Department whose programs, personnel, or the populations they serve, are already experiencing—or are likely to experience—climate-related health impacts. As needed, CHEW may also recruit representatives from other county departments, agencies, and partner organizations to provide subject matter expertise and inform implementation efforts. A primary role of the workgroup is to guide the design and implementation of Climate Health Equity Plan activities while strengthening and coordinating climate risk communication strategies across programs and partners.
Figure 5. Graphic illustration of CHEW workflow
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PART 4 — PRIORITIES, INTENDED OUTCOMES & EVALUATION, and LOOKING AHEAD 4.1 Priorities 4.2 Intended Outcomes and Evaluation 4.3 Looking Ahead
4.1 Year 1 & 2 Priorities (2026-2028) The first phase of the Climate Health Equity Plan focuses on building foundational capacity and launching priority initiatives and focuses on these priorities:
1 Climate and Health Education 1.1 Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate materials 1.2 Integrate climate–health topics into existing public health programs
2 Climate Risk Communication 2.1 Establish a cross-departmental Climate Health Equity Workgroup 2.2 Develop a coordinated communication framework 2.3 Identify priority audiences, messages, and delivery channels
3 Workforce Development 3.1 Train VCPH staff on climate and health equity 3.2 Build internal capacity to integrate climate into programs and services
4 Partnerships and Funding 4.1 Engage community-based organizations and cross-sector partners 4.2 Pursue grant funding to expand climate-health initiatives 4.3 Support alignment with regional and state efforts These actions prioritize immediate and near-term work that reduce health risks while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience.
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4.1 Intended Outcomes and Evaluation Clearly defining what this plan aims to achieve—and how progress will be measured—is essential to successful implementation. Outcome measures will be identified, tracked, and regularly reviewed using established public health evaluation practices to demonstrate progress, support accountability, and inform ongoing refinement of strategies. Implementation activities will focus on building a sustainable foundation for integrating climate and health equity across Ventura County Public Health programs. Through evidence-based, data-driven, and community-informed approaches, this plan seeks to protect health, advance equity, and ensure that climate actions benefit all communities, particularly those most vulnerable to climate-related health impacts. Given the breadth of climate risks and populations affected, and in the absence of a dedicated program structure, achieving these outcomes will require collaboration across VCPH divisions and with community-based organizations, healthcare partners, academic institutions, and government agencies. By strengthening partnerships, coordination, and capacity, Ventura County Public Health can advance climate and health equity and build long-term community resilience.
Frameworks & Tools The iterative approach to implementation involving a “partner–listen–investigate–plan–implement– evaluate–revise” approach is consistent with the CalBRACE framework and supports a process of continuous learning and systems strengthening. This process also aligns with the Ten Essential Services of Public Health, emphasizing assurance through continuous improvement, accountability through assessment, and active promotion of policies, systems, and services, that enable good health and remove obstacles and structural barriers to access. In aligning with these evaluation frameworks, VCPH can strengthen its capacity to address climate-related health risks and advance health equity, ultimately achieving the Climate Health Equity Plan’s goal: to build a sustainable foundation for integrating climate and health equity across programs by protecting health, advancing equity, and ensuring that climate actions benefit all communities—especially those most at risk—through evidence-based, data-driven, and community-informed approaches. Measurement Tools that can be used include the following: 1. Use of structured monitoring and evaluation systems Incorporation of formal monitoring and evaluation processes to track whether strategies are achieving intended outcomes and to identify unintended consequences. 2. Tracking both outputs and outcomes This distinction allows the county to measure both implementation activity and real-world impact. •
Outputs (e.g., number of outreach activities, trainings delivered, individuals reached)
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•
Outcomes (e.g., reductions in heat-related illness, changes in emergency department visits over time, increases in cross-sector collaborations, improved community preparedness, or shifts in risk perception)
3. Use of climate and health data systems Progress is supported through local and state data tools and dashboards that track climate-sensitive health indicators (such as respiratory illness, heat-related illness, and other environmental health trends), enabling ongoing surveillance and trend analysis. 4. Equity-centered disaggregation of data Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected. Data are expected to be broken down by geography and population groups to ensure this plan is reducing—not widening—health inequities among priority populations. Qualitative data in the form of stories of lived experiences will augment quantitative data. 5. Community-informed evaluation Monitoring and evaluation are intended to incorporate community feedback, particularly from populations most affected by climate impacts, to ensure findings reflect lived experience and not just administrative data.
Figure 6. Graphic illustrating possible evaluation measurement tools that can be used to assess progress in implementing the Climate Health Equity Plan Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 23 |Page
4.3 Looking Ahead: Building Community-Centered Climate Resilience As climate-related health risks continue to increase in frequency, severity, and complexity, coordinated and equity-centered action will be essential to protect health and prevent existing inequities from widening. This Ventura County Climate Health Equity Plan serves as a living framework for integrating climate and health considerations into public health practice while remaining adaptable to emerging science, evolving community priorities, and new opportunities for collaboration. A key priority for the next phase of implementation is the incorporation of community voice and lived experience. Future phases of the plan will expand to include: • • • • •
Community engagement and co-development of priorities; Strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations; Advance public-facing education and climate risk communication; Develop data visualization and storytelling tools; and Implement additional activities from the broader Climate Health Equity Roadmap of Activities.
Through advancing education, data-informed decision-making, workforce development, partnership development, and resource mobilization, this Climate Health Equity Plan seeks to reduce climate-related health risks, advance health equity, and strengthen community resilience. Ultimately, this plan is intended to build the organizational capacity, collaborative partnerships, and public health systems needed to integrate climate and health equity into routine practice. Success will be measured not only by implementation of activities, but also by meaningful progress toward reducing climate-related health impacts, improving equitable outcomes, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and establishing a durable foundation for long-term climate resilience in Ventura County.
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Appendix I. Glossary of Terms Climate Adaptation: “The process of adjusting to new (climate) conditions in order to reduce risks to valued assets.” 60 Adaption efforts such as increasing Green Infrastructure – the beneficial harvesting of storm water to support tree plantings, vegetation, and especially native plants to cool urban heat islands; adding shade structures to bus stops and walkways, and resilience hubs. Climate adaptation can have multiple co-benefits from improving public health as well as ecosystem services while also reducing GHGs through the reduction of energy and water use.61 Climate Adaptative Capacity: “The ability of a person, asset, or system to adjust to a hazard, take advantage of new opportunities, or cope with change.” 62 Climate Change: “Climate change is the long-term alteration of Earth's average weather patterns and temperatures, primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels, which increase heat-trapping greenhouse gases. This process leads to broader changes, including rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and more extreme weather events.” 63 Climate Mitigation: Reducing the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere by cutting sources like fossil fuel emissions and enhancing natural carbon sinks such as forests and oceans, with the goal of stabilizing climate conditions to prevent the most severe human and ecological impacts. 64 Climate mitigation can have co-benefits for improving public health such as the reduction of air pollution; public health perspectives can also inform decision-making on mitigation efforts to ensure health equity considerations. Climate Resilience: “The capacity of a community, business, or natural environment to prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover from a disruption.” 65 In Ventura County, climate mitigation and adaptation efforts are coordinated by the Sustainability Division and guided by the Climate Action Plan (CAP), which is integrated into the County’s General Plan. Implementation of CAP strategies is a shared responsibility across departments, with specific actions assigned to individual departments for execution and tracking. In addition, several jurisdictions within the county—such as the cities of Oxnard and Ventura, along with other cities—have developed their own climate action plans to address sustainability within their operations and jurisdictional boundaries. Health Equity: all people have equitable access to opportunities that enable them to lead healthy lives. 66
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Appendix II. Ten Essential Public Health Services The Ten Essential Public Health Services provide a framework for public health to protect and promote the health of all people in all communities through the work of health departments and community partners. “To achieve optimal health for all, the Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) actively promote policies, systems and services that enable good health and seek to remove obstacles and systemic and structural barriers — such as poverty, racism, gender discrimination, and other forms of oppression — that have resulted in health inequalities.” 67
Table 1. The Ten Essential Public Health Service (de Beaumont Foundation, 2020)
Assessment 1. Monitor health status: Identify and address community health problems and hazards by assessing and monitoring population health status, community needs, and assets.
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2. Investigate and diagnose: Investigate, diagnose, and address the root causes of health problems and hazards affecting the population.
Policy Development 1. Inform, educate, and empower: Communicate effectively to inform and educate the public about health issues and how to improve health. 2. Mobilize community partnerships: Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve community health. 3. Develop policies and plans: Create, champion, and implement policies, plans, and laws that impact health.
Assurance 1. Enforce laws and regulations: That protect and improve public health and safety. 2. Link to and provide care: Assure equitable access to the individual services and care needed for the community to be healthy. 3. Assure a competent workforce: Build and support a skilled and diverse public health workforce. 4. Evaluate: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of population and personal health services. 5. Research and innovation: Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health, including ongoing research and innovation to solve health problem.
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Appendix III. Ten Climate Risks & At-Risk Populations in Ventura County The Ten Climate-Health Risks Facing Ventura County Residents listed in Table 1 outline the primary impacts affecting Ventura County residents, now or in the near-future, and their public health implications. 68, 69 It identifies interacting influences such as compounding environmental factors and structural vulnerabilities, and the populations who may face elevated risks of exposure to each climate stressor. Drawing on resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Climate Change and Health Equity Branch, this table serves as a reference for organizing climate– health risk communication, education, and outreach efforts. It is intended as a starting point rather than a comprehensive inventory of Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 28 |Page
all potential health impacts and structural interactions. Ventura County continues to lead in applying the OneHealth 4 framework, which is integrated throughout the table. Research and surveillance indicate which populations are more likely to be disproportionately affected. Vulnerability is influenced by factors such as geography (e.g., zip code), demographic characteristics, and the Social Determinants of Health. Accordingly, this table can inform the development of targeted activities that protect high-risk populations and build resilience at the community, regional, and state levels.
OneHealth is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. U.S. Government. (2017). One Health: A collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/index.html 4
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Table 1. Ten Priority Climate-Health Risks & At-Risk Populations in Ventura County
Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
1. EXTREME HEAT Increased risk of heat illness and deaths, cardiovascular and respiratory distress and other chronic conditions, adverse interactions with some medications and Substance Use Disorders (SUD), and occupational exposures.
• • • • • •
Structural Factors
Duration of days of extreme heat Increased nighttime temperatures Urban Heat Islands Wildfire smoke Power shutoffs Air Quality Pollution – Ground level ozone PM2.570
•
Low-income, high heat neighborhoods 71
•
• • • •
•
Substandard housing: some rentals, mobile homes, or single room occupancy (SRO) units Occupational settings 72, 73 Lack of access to AC 74 Energy affordability Transportation, people who rely on public transportation 75 Language accessibility for alerts
Populations at Higher Risk
• • • •
•
• • • • • •
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Experiencing homelessness Specific age groups: Older adults, infants, children Pregnant people Work outdoors: agricultural workers, construction workers, also delivery workers, landscapers Indoor workers in non-cooled/non-AC spaces, warehouse workers and commercial kitchens Physically or socially isolated76 Immigrants or refugees Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes or experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations)
Climate Risk
Compounding Environmental Factors
Structural Factors
Populations at Higher Risk •
1. EXTREME HEAT, CONT. •
• • • •
•
LGBTQ+ populations (greater risk of being displaced during disasters or being marginalized or assaulted at cooling/heating centers/shelters) 77 People who rely on public transportation 78 Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Youth athletics Work in protective service occupations, including emergency responders Are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated Otherwise lack access and/or mobility options to travel to health-protective places (e.g., cooling, clean air, extreme weather, or other community-based respite centers or shelters) Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
Pre-existing Health Conditions •
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Chronic health conditions or illnesses: diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, obesity, underserved and certain
Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
Structural Factors
1. EXTREME HEAT, CONT.
Populations at Higher Risk
•
•
2. WILDFIRE SMOKE & POOR AIR QUALITY Smoke and ozone pollution, and increase in allergens affecting asthma & other respiratory conditi ons and cardiovascular disease.
•
Co-occurring events with such as extreme heat and heat domes, and power outages, increase in allergens
•
Geographic location: inland areas adjacent to major roadways, industrial facilities, ports; foothills, valleys, and canyons (trapped pollutant levels); housing and
• • • • • • •
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mental health conditions may be exacerbated by heat.79 When taking certain medications (e.g., during extreme heat, medications like antidepressants, beta-blockers and other heart medications, or substances like alcohol, can interfere with the body’s internal “thermostat” or impair sweating) Using commonly abused substances (alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other opioids). 80 Experiencing homelessness Specific age groups: Older adults, infants, children Pregnant people Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes or experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations)
Climate Risk
2. WILDFIRE SMOKE & POOR AIR QUALITY, CONT.
Compounding Environmental Factors
Structural Factors
•
• •
•
•
schools in low altitude flight paths 5 Regional weather patterns – inversions, heat domes. Housing quality and type Renting a home and lack of access to infrastructure upgrades Lack of access to indoor air filtration systems Language accessibility for alerts & emergency preparedness training
Populations at Higher Risk •
• •
• •
Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Work in protective service occupations, including emergency responders Otherwise lack access and/or mobility options to travel to health-protective places (e.g., cooling, clean air, extreme weather, or other community-based respite centers or shelters) Otherwise already experience social and health inequities First responders
Pre-existing Health Conditions •
Increased risk of mortality illness or mortality associated with cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases.
Heat affects airplane exhaust and air quality; engines must work harder and less efficiently in heat, thus increasing emissions during takeoff and landing, contributing to local air pollution in the form of smog, particulate matter (PM 2.5), and ground-level ozone pollution (Masiol, M., & Harrison, R. M. 2014). 5
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Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
3. FLOODING & STORM EVENTS
•
Disruption to healthcare access, injuries, exposure to water-borne diseases and mold.
•
Structural Factors
Increases in the frequency of extreme weather events such storms (winds and precipitation) and associated flooding. Can compound with post-fire debris and mud slide conditions, as well as sea level rise. Flooding increases opportunities for water-borne disease exposure - cholera, gastrointestinal parasites, dysentery, hepatitis and vectorborne diseases.
•
• •
•
•
Geographic location (FEMA flood zones, wildfire burn scars, coastal areas) Housing quality and type Renting a home and lack of access to infrastructure upgrade Language accessibility for alerts Language accessibility for emergency preparedness training
Increase in accidental deaths from drowning or injury. Exposure to household and
Populations at Higher Risk
• • • • • • • •
•
•
• •
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Experiencing homelessness Specific age groups: Older adults, infants, children Physically or socially isolated 81 Immigrants or refugees Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes or experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations) LGBTQ+ populations (greater risk of being displaced during disasters or being marginalized or assaulted at cooling/heating centers/shelters)82 Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Work in protective service occupations, including emergency responders Otherwise lack access and/or mobility options to travel to health-protective places
Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
industrial chemicals; sewage, disrupted health systems, facilities and services, and damaged basic infrastructure such as food, water, and shelter.
3. FLOODING & STORM EVENTS, CONT.
4. DROUGHT, WATER
Structural Factors
•
INSECURITY & WATER QUALITY IMPACTS
•
Drought can • create/exacerbate air quality issues, there is evidence supporting links between drought and • extreme precipitation events leading to cocci outbreaks.
Populations at Higher Risk
•
(e.g., cooling, clean air, extreme weather, or other community-based respite centers or shelters) Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
Pre-existing Health Conditions
Water quality – well dependent communities and households
•
Increased risk of mortality due to nonaccidental deaths associated with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and mental disorders.
• •
Experiencing homelessness Work outdoors: agricultural workers, construction workers, also delivery workers, landscapers Workers at risk of exposure to water or seafood contaminated by cyanobacteria Workers at risk of exposure to Legionella during inspections and repairs to water system First responders in aftermath of severe storms and sewage exposure
• Language accessibility for alerts
Water supplies and quality may become
•
•
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Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
4. DROUGHT, WATER INSECURITY & WATER QUALITY IMPACTS, CONT.
Structural Factors
diminished in groundwater aquifers due to drought.
•
Communities in fire zones/burn scar areas
•
Wildfire events and toxic run-off causing soil and water supply contamination
•
Communities exposed to aerosolized toxins from HABs
•
Rising temperatures and fertilizer pollution in marine environments creating HAB’s
•
Low-income communities (aging structures and water supply infrastructure)
•
Rising temperatures and increased A/C use specifically industrial cooling towers and potential for Legionella water contamination
Populations at Higher Risk • • • • •
•
•
Pre-existing Health Conditions: Immunocompromised individuals
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Consumers who eat contaminated seafood Water recreationists (marine or fresh water) exposed to cyanobacteria toxins Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have limited or no access to health services From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations) Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
5. VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES Mosquito transmitted diseases – Dengue, West Nile Virus (WNV), Malaria, Chikungunya, Zika; Rodent transmitted diseases – hantavirus (fecal), Lyme disease and Spotted Fever (ticks), plague (fleas); Bat transmitted viral diseases and expansion of rabies exposure
•
Structural Factors
Intensification of ENSO 6 events and extreme precipitation, rising temperatures, longer duration of heat seasons
•
Low-income communities (less invested storm water and waste management and increased exposure to litter, plastic containers 83
Populations at Higher Risk
• • • •
•
Areas with higher temperatures and standing water
• • • •
•
Rental housing and lack of access to infrastructure upgrades
•
•
Experiencing homelessness Specific age groups: Older adults, infants, children Pregnant people Work outdoors: agricultural workers, construction workers, also delivery workers, landscapers Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes or experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations) Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Youth athletics
El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) “is a naturally occurring large-scale climatic phenomenon involving fluctuating ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, coupled with changes in the overlying atmosphere. ENSO can have severe effects on key health determinants through, among other factors, impacts on food security, air and water quality, ecosystems and health infrastructure safety. ENSO is also associated with altered transmission patterns of vector-borne, rodent-borne and waterborne diseases, as well as fish and shellfish poisoning World Health Organization.” (2025, January 22). El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/el-nino-southern-oscillation-%28enso%29 6
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Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
Structural Factors
Populations at Higher Risk •
5. VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES, CONT.
•
Work in protective service occupations, including emergency responders Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
Pre-existing Health Conditions: • •
6. INFECTIOUS DISEASES (INCLUDING VALLEY FEVER) Climate change can increase exposure to fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens that cause respiratory and other infections.
•
Extreme weather events, shifting climate envelopes and habitat fragmentation and destruction foster changes in disease epidemiology leading to population susceptibility and increased exposure to emerging or reemerging infectious diseases in humans,
•
•
Low-income communities (less invested in storm water, sanitation, and waste management) Regions with reduced public health infrastructure and disease surveillance systems
• • • • • • •
•
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People with chronic health conditions (ex: chronic kidney disease, diabetes) People with weakened immune systems People with weakened immune systems Are experiencing homelessness Are affected by chronic health conditions or other illness Are immigrants or refugees, especially those who lack the rights of citizenship Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes and/or are experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services, including those without health insurance Are from/of historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities, particularly
Climate Risk
6. INFECTIOUS DISEASES, CONT.
Compounding Environmental Factors
Structural Factors
animals, and plants.
•
84
Regions with higher prevalence of international travel
Valley fever specific – • • •
•
Populations at Higher Risk
Construction zones Tilling fields Regional weather patterns – prevailing winds, strength and duration Lack of access to indoor air filtration systems
•
•
Valley fever specific – • • •
•
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Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards (e.g., coastal areas and sea level rise / flooding; urbanized areas that experience greater urban heat island effect; homes in areas at greater risk of wildfires) Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
People of African American or Filipino ethnicity (Valley fever) Pregnant people (Valley fever) Increased risk of mortality illness or mortality associated with cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases. Work in protective service occupations, including emergency responders
Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
Structural Factors
6. INFECTIOUS DISEASES, CONT. 7. MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS Climate-related events and chronic stressors can increase anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges.
•
•
Compounding ecological and socioeconomic crises (ex: heat wave and militarized occupation and armed immigration raids)
•
Limited and decreasing mental and behavioral health services, especially linguistically and culturally grounded
•
Loneliness emerging as a public health “epidemic”
Populations at Higher Risk •
Otherwise lack access and/or mobility options to travel to health-protective places (e.g., cooling, clean air, shelters)
• •
Experiencing homelessness Specific age groups: Older adults, infants, children Low-income families Elderly and isolated individuals Immigrants or refugees Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes or experiencing poverty Have limited or no access to health services From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations) Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
• • • • • • •
•
•
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Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
Structural Factors
Populations at Higher Risk Pre-existing Health Conditions
7. MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS, CONT.
• • • •
8. FOOD SYSTEM & NUTRITION IMPACTS Heat, drought, and pests threaten local food production and access, impacting nutrition and food security.
•
•
Climate amplified weather disruption can lead to major crop yield loses Climate change can drive more intensive pesticide use in industrial agriculture creating a feedback loop driving more
•
Local agricultural labor practices
•
Food insecurity due to food deserts (low income, distance to grocery stores, lack of public transportation)7
•
Funding losses to nutrition and food
• • • • • • • •
People with chronic health conditions (ex: chronic kidney disease, diabetes) People with weakened immune systems People experiencing mental and emotional health issues People who have experienced climate amplified disasters Experiencing homelessness Specific age groups: Older adults, infants, children Pregnant people Physically or socially isolated 85 Immigrants or refugees Have limited English proficiency (LEP) Have lower incomes or experiencing poverty From historically marginalized and/or under-resourced communities (particularly Tribal and Indigenous communities, and
The term food desert “describes neighborhoods and communities that have limited access to affordable and nutritious foods.” National Research Council (US). (2009). The public health effects of food deserts: Workshop summary (Chapter 1, Introduction). National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK208016/ 7
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Compounding Environmental Factors
Climate Risk
8. FOOD SYSTEM & NUTRITION IMPACTS, CONT.
extreme climate events •
Globalization and climate change introduce new, invasive, and costly pests (see #5) that harm native plant life and disrupt food supply
Structural Factors
Populations at Higher Risk
security programming (dissolution of CalFresh Healthy Living)
communities of color including Black, Latinx/e, and other populations) Live, work, or go to school in geographic areas more exposed to climate-related environmental exposures and hazards Otherwise already experience social and health inequities
•
•
Pre-existing Health Conditions • •
People with chronic health conditions (ex: chronic kidney disease, diabetes) People with weakened immune systems
Cascading economic impacts: •
•
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Agricultural workforce (fieldworkers, packing houses, greenhouse workers) and job loss Growers and farm labor contractors
Climate Risk
Compounding Environmental Factors
Structural Factors
More frequent and 9. STRAIN ON severe extreme heat HEALTHCARE & events, air pollution INFRASTRUCTURE including particulate Climate impacts can matter from wildfire overwhelm healthcare smoke, floods and wildfires, less secure systems, disrupt water and food supplies, services, and challenge reduced water quality, changes in climate emergency response sensitive diseases capacity
• Increased strain on emergency operations • Increased demand for certain services • Greater need for information sharing • Reduced availability of workforce and care • Damages to critical medical care facilities Funding specific – • Cuts to state and federal funding that support increasing adaptative capacity and community resilience through disease surveillance, preparedness, and prevention and promotion activities
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Populations at Higher Risk
•
Community wide risks, especially in areas with high susceptibility to climateamplified weather extremes and disasters and neighborhoods and individuals facing severe disadvantages (low scoring Social Determinants of Health)
Climate Risk
Compounding Environmental Factors
Structural Factors
10. SOCIAL & • All the above listed 1-9 Climate Risks can ECONOMIC contribute to social DISRUPTION Job loss, and economic housing instability, and disruption and in other economic particular, extreme heat, wildfires, floods, impacts can increase and drought (plus sea vulnerability and level rise) worsen health inequities.
• Costs of climate change to health and healthcare
Populations at Higher Risk
•
• Costs to workers and earnings • Costs for agriculture and food prices • Increased costs for housing, insurance, and financial risk • Cost of energy for cooling • Costs of disasters
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Community wide risks, especially in areas with high susceptibility to climate-amplified weather extremes and disasters and neighborhoods and individuals facing severe disadvantages (low scoring Social Determinants of Health)
Appendix IV. Climate Risk Communication Framework Background Nearly all Ventura County residents are being affected by climate impacts, which will only intensify in the coming decades.86 To reduce exposure to these risks, public health professionals can leverage climate risk communication (CRC) to engage vulnerable populations, promote equitable access to protective resources, and prevent climate-related health harms while reducing strain on an already overburdened healthcare system.87 To be effective, however, climate risk communication requires several key conditions. First, the climate-related health risk must be clearly identified. Second, there must be a clear understanding of which communities are most vulnerable—potentially multiple populations—and how best to reach them, requiring multiple strategies. Third, risk messaging should be developed using appropriate expertise both scientific and cultural, and delivered in timely, theory-based, clear, consistent, and linguistically appropriate ways through accessible channels by trusted messengers (as described below). Finally, effectiveness must be evaluated in terms of whether the audience of focus was reached, the level of engagement with the message, and the actionability of the information. Put simply, effective climate risk communication is both an art and a science—moving audiences along a continuum from risk awareness → understanding → concern → action → sustained engagement. In designing and delivering effective health messages, the field of health promotion offers a robust body of theory-based research to guide practice. Understanding how people process and respond to risk information is central to effective risk communication. One wellestablished communication model, developed by Kim Witte (1992) using the Health Belief Model of the 1950s, is illustrated in Figure 1. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), often referred to as the Fear Appeal Model, which explains how individuals’ cognitive and emotional appraisals of risk determine whether a message prompts adaptive behavior change or results in defensive avoidance when action cues are present. 88 Additional health promotion frameworks may also be applied depending on the context of the campaign, including Framing, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, Storytelling,95 the Stages of Change Transtheoretical Model,96, 97, Social Marketing, 98, 99 Social Cognitive Theory, 100, 101, and the Theory of Planned Behavior.102 Integrating research-tested models such as Witte’s EPPM into message design can increase the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes and, through evaluation, support clearer measurement of communication effectiveness. Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 45 |Page
Figure 1. Illustration of Witte’s Fear Appeal Model (1992) for climate risk communication Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 46 |Page
As important as designing effective climate risk communication (CRC) messages is, the internal process for developing, coordinating, and disseminating them is equally critical. Engaging appropriate expertise and ensuring coordination across divisions and departments are essential for coherence and impact. Weekly meetings of VCPH’s OneHealth Group8—convened by the County Health Officer and including representatives from Communicable Disease, Epidemiology, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Health, Healthy Communities, the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, and Veterinary Medicine—have revealed gaps in alignment and missed opportunities for collaboration on risk messaging. These discussions underscore the need for a more structured, cross-divisional communication framework to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and harmonize messaging. Establishing clear internal pathways for message development, review, and dissemination will help ensure CRC efforts are timely, accurate, and grounded in multidisciplinary expertise. This approach strengthens message consistency and builds organizational capacity to respond effectively to emerging climate and health risks.
Proposed Solution To harness the power of risk messaging we propose establishing a VCPH Climate Health Equity Workgroup to implement communication strategies, (Witte’s model as one example) through an internally structured process we call the CRC Framework, described below. Membership in the Workgroup might include participation from OneHealth Group members, the VCPH Public Information Officer (PIO), and other aligned County partners, and would be led by the Climate and Health Equity Coordinator. The CRC Framework draws on the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Four Pillars of Emergency Health (EH) to support internal coordination of roles and responsibilities. APHA defines Emergency Health as “prioritizing a complete and equitable state of health and wellness among individuals, families, communities, and society over time—before, during, and after disasters occur.” 103 The four key pillars are: Prevention, Health Protection, Health Promotion, and Provision of Care. Organized around stages of risk progression, these pillars are also uniquely suited for considering climate-related health impacts which are in fact, already closely coupled with modern disasters. APHA’s Four Pillars provide a strong foundation, but the approach can be further strengthened by adding two additional pillars: Addressing Root Causes and Assessment. Because most climate-related health risks are driven by upstream conditions—such as housing insecurity, OneHealth is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. U.S. Government. (2017). One Health: A VenturaU.S. County Public Health Climate Health Equityhttps://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/index.html Plan collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach. Department of Health and Human Services. 8
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inequitable access to cooling, or land-use decisions that place vulnerable populations at greater risk—addressing Root Causes can provide a more direct route to risk reduction. While the root causes of climate risks are not a traditional public health lane, external departments and agencies are increasingly seeking out public health’s input on root cause work. In these settings, VCPH can contribute data and expertise to highlight climate health inequities, co-benefits of mitigation and adaptation actions, and pathways to reduce disproportionate burdens on vulnerable populations. By including Root Causes in the CRC Framework, we ensure that climate communications consider root causes in framing long-term solutions that build resilience. Like the inclusion of Root Causes, Assessment is also a vital part of communication. In Table 2, Assessment is positioned as the last stage among the pillars, owing in part to its historical association with After-Action Evaluations in the emergency management world. We maintain this position in our framework but recognize that depending on the context, Assessment can and should occur at multiple points in addition to after-action reporting (AAR). Assessments can be formative (prior to the beginning of message development), process (during implementation) and summative (outcomes). They may also take many forms including quantitative, qualitative, or involve mixed methods, the results of which are improving future CRC methods and materials. Lastly, we seek to incorporate one more well-established and vetted organizing system into the CRC Framework, the Hierarchy of Controls, for workplace safety. 104This is included to align solutions that are messaged with existing regulations as guided by federal and state level Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Including the Hierarchy of Controls ensures alignment with compliance statutes for employers and workers who are often on the frontlines of climate impacts.
Integrating and Operationalizing Models for Climate Risk Communication To leverage the success of the Climate Health Equity Workgroup (CHEW), we propose combining and integrating multiple complementary risk communication models and operationalizing efforts through the CRC Framework. To summarize, the Framework considers the following elements in its structure: 1. Theory- and Evidence-Based Communication Model 2. APHA’s Four Pillar/s of Emergency Health – 1. Prevention, 2. Health Protection, 3. Health Promotion, and 4. Provision of Care, plus Two Additional Pillars -- 0. Root Causes and 5. Assessment
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3. Hierarchy of Controls – a workplace safety framework prioritizing upstream, systemic protections over individual-level actions: Elimination/Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and lastly Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Using Extreme Heat as an example, Table 1 demonstrates how these models can be layered to guide climate risk communications. This integrated view helps clarify which interventions are most effective at different stages, who should lead, when, and how messages should be crafted. Table 1. Example of Climate Risk Communication for Extreme Heat
Pillars
Goal
Extreme Heat Example
Relevant Hierarchy of Controls for Messaging
Public Health Resources
Agents & Roles
0. Root Cause Address (Precursor) preconditions that shape vulnerability to heat impacts
Invest in cooling infrastructure (tree canopy, reflective roofing, shaded bus stops); ensure equitable housing and workplace protections; advance climate-resilient land use planning and policies
Elimination/ Substitution (reduce urban heat islands, increase tree canopy and green spaces, replace heat-trapping materials)
Data and community voices along with subject matter expertise to address structural determinants before exposure occurs
VCPH as a collaborative partner with:
1. Health Risk Prevention
Public campaigns on heat risk PPE (e.g. hats, cooling and illness prevention and towels, special clothing, misting fans, etc.)
Data and community voices along with subject matter expertise to identify at risk
VCPH Health Education: Training,
Prevent hazardous exposures
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Policy, Housing, Economic Development, Public Works, City Jurisdictions, Community Partners
Pillars
Goal
Extreme Heat Example
Relevant Hierarchy of Controls for Messaging
distribute cooling resources to at-risk groups
2. Health Promotion
3. Health Protection
Promote protective behaviors
Given exposure, prevent illness and injury
Workplace heat safety standards; expand access to cooling centers
Heat warning systems with targeted alerts; OSHA compliance and workplace monitoring of symptoms; first aid/onsite cooling stations; community check-ins for vulnerable groups
Public Health Resources
Agents & Roles
populations and provide targeted risk prevention strategies through education and outreach and distribution of resources
Education, and Outreach
Engineering & Administrative Controls (cooling stations, shift scheduling, work-rest cycles)
Data and community voices along with subject matter expertise to increase awareness of risk, empower individuals & communities to action
VCPH Health Education: Training, Education, and Outreach
Administrative Controls & PPE (mandated breaks, buddy systems, hats, cooling vests, cooling centers, transportation)
Data and community voices along with subject matter expertise to promote early detection and response to minimize harm
VCPH EMS Alerts
Partner collaboration
Partner collaboration
NWS Alerts OES Alerts VCPH Hot Tips Ventura County Health Care Coalition (VCHCC)
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 50 |Page
Pillars
Goal
Extreme Heat Example
Relevant Hierarchy of Controls for Messaging
Public Health Resources
Agents & Roles
Partner collaboration 4. Health Provision of Care
Given illness, prevent disability or death
Rapid clinical care for heat stroke; EMS protocols; hospital surge preparedness during extreme heat events
Administrative Controls & PPE (specialized medical protocols, cooled IV fluids)
Treatment, accurate medical coding, rehabilitation, survival support
VCPH EMS Alerts & Response Coordination Ventura County Health Care Coalition (VCHCC) Partner collaboration
5. Health Prevent overAssessment medicalization, reduce inequities from intervention, improve provision of care.
Avoid unnecessary hospitalization; emphasize social supports (housing, income, access to safe environments); protect against inequitable resource allocation
Administrative Controls (fair allocation policies, equity safeguards)
Assessment to address systemic inequities and prevent unintended harms, improve response and services while support interventions that address root causes
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 51 |Page
VCPH as a collaborative partner with: Policy, Housing, Economic Development, Public Works, City Jurisdictions, Community Partners and Coalitions and
Pillars
Goal
Extreme Heat Example
Relevant Hierarchy of Controls for Messaging
Public Health Resources
Agents & Roles
staff of Elected Officials Ventura County Health Care Coalition (VCHCC)
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 52 |Page
How to Use the CRC Framework Each cell in Table 2 represents the role or stage of involvement by a Ventura County Agency or Division (listed in the left column) in addressing the ten climate risks to health (listed across the top row) according to a stage of risk progression (Pillars of Emergency Health - right column). This framework helps visualize opportunities to convene and coordinate work across divisions and agencies and highlight gaps to ensure an equitable and comprehensive approach to climate-health communication and action in Ventura County. To use this table, start by: 1. Reviewing the Climate Risks (top row in Table 2) in relation to the left column – Agency & Division (note - this table is prepopulated using the Healthy Communities Division just as an example); 2. Then, consider the Pillars of Emergency Health (right column) to identify potential engagement points in time between an agency, a climate risk, and a response role and activity; and 3. Use “X’s” to mark where and how an agency is involved in any of the five stages of climate-health risk communication and response: 0. Root Cause – Addressing underlying social and environmental determinants of health. 1. Prevention – Reducing hazardous exposures before they occur. 2. Promotion – Encouraging protective behaviors and awareness. 3. Protection – Preventing illness and injury once exposure occurs. 4. Provision – Providing care and resources for affected populations. 5. Assessment – Monitoring, evaluating, and improving programs or outcomes. 4. Identify points for coordination across agencies or divisions by examining columns with “X” marked cells.
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 53 |Page
Table 2. Example of a Climate Risk Communication Framework for VCPH Healthy Communities Division
Ten Priority Climate-Health Risks in Ventura County Social & Economic Disruption
10.
Strain on Healthcare & Infrastructure
9.
Food System & Nutrition Impacts
8.
Mental Health Impacts
7.
Infectious Diseases
6.
Vector-Borne Diseases
5.
Drought & Water Insecurity
4.
Flooding & Storm Events
VCPH Healthy Communities
3.
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
0. Root Causes: SDoH
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
1. Prevention: Prevent hazardous exposures
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
2. Promotion: Promote protective behaviors
Extreme Heat
Agency & Division Role or Responsibility
2. Wildfire Smoke & Poor Air Quality
1.
Pillars of Emergency Health
3. Protection: Given exposure, prevent illness and injury
(as an example)
4. Provision: Care for Disease & Displacement
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 54 |Page
√
5. Assessment: Reduce inequities, improve response
Steps to Advance Climate Risk Communication in VCPH Integrating this model into Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) operations and aligning efforts across related divisions and departments (e.g. Environmental Health, Sustainability, Office of Emergency Services, etc.) can benefit from a systematic process that considers the following steps: 1. Engage Leadership and Align Vision Meet with VCPH Administration and Public Information Officer (PIO) to confirm the process for implementing Climate Risk Communication (CRC) work and ensure alignment of goals and vision. 2. Gather Input from Partners o
Meet with individual division managers to collect input on how they perceive their roles and responsibilities related to the ten identified climate risks, mapped across the stages of progression: 0. Root Cause → 1. Risk Prevention → 2. Promotion → 3. Protection → 4. Provision of Care → 5. Assessment.
o
Catalog which community and agency partners the division managers might themselves coordinate with on climate risk communication messaging.
3. Synthesize and Visualize Input Compile input and finalize the CRC Framework chart to reflect partners’ roles and responsibilities, clarifying areas of overlap and opportunity. 4. Facilitate Collaborative Planning Convene a cross-divisional meeting to: o
Confirm internal partners.
o
Develop a calendar of seasonal messaging campaigns.
o
Co-design and pilot Climate Risk Communication Campaigns
5. Establish Ongoing Coordination Convene the CRC Working Group quarterly to coordinate and operationalize efforts, including pre-produced seasonal campaigns to be refreshed annually. 6. Evaluate and Report Progress
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 55 |Page
Table 3. VCPH and Ventura County Divisions and Departments with Potential Risk Communication Roles for the Ten Climate-Health Risks and Priority Populations This table identifies Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) divisions and other County departments that may have roles related to one or more of the ten climate-health risks. These divisions and departments represent potential partners for coordinating and strengthening climate-health risk communication, particularly for populations disproportionately affected by climate-related health impacts.
Agency or Department
Divisions and Programs
Ventura County Public Health
Emergency Medical Services: Specialty Projects, Emergency Preparedness Office, Ventura County Health Care Coalition, Medical Reserve Corp Healthy Families Team: CD & Infectious Diseases, Home Visiting & Field Nursing, Opioid Overdose Prevention Healthy Communities: Health Education & CHE Coordinator, Chronic Disease Programs Administration: Director, Assistant Director, Health Officer, Public Information Officer
Ventura County Agricultural Commission, Weights and Measures
Agriculture & Consumer Protection Environmental Resources
Ventura County Behavioral Health
Substance Use Services Mental Health/Trauma Issues
Ventura County Health Care Agency
Emergency Care Services Cardiology
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 56 |Page
Agency or Department
Divisions and Programs Respiratory Illnesses Diabetes Care Obstetrics Pediatrics Pharmacy Pulmonology Psychiatry Safety Emergency Management Medical Education
Ventura County Air Pollution Control District
Farmworker Wildfire Alert System Air Quality Alert Network and Agricultural Burn Notification
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
Office of Emergency Services Ventura County Todd Road Jail Health and Programming Unit Inmate Services Search and Rescue
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 57 |Page
Agency or Department
Divisions and Programs
Ventura County Environmental Health
Food Protection Recreational Health Ocean Water Insect & Vector Control
Ventura County Human Services Agency
Farmworker Resource Program Inclusive Disaster Response (Access and Functional Needs) Homeless & Housing Assistance In-home Supportive Services Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Veteran Collaborative of Ventura County
Ventura County Libraries
Some branches serve as Cooling Centers during heat events, branches also provide a variety education and outreach services for Adults, Families, and Teens
Ventura County Office of Medical Examiner
Investigation of deaths, mortality records, death certificates
Ventura County Animal Care Services
Disaster preparedness, pet emergencies
Ventura County Sustainability Division in the CEO’s Office
Climate Action Plan, Extreme Heat Action Plan
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 58 |Page
Table 4. Example Calendar of Cultural, Environmental, and Public Health Awareness Activities for Aligning Climate-Health Messaging This table identifies some cultural, environmental, and public health observances throughout the year that provide strategic opportunities to align climate-health messaging, raise awareness of climate-related risks, and engage priority populations. The observances were selected because they offer opportunities to reach specific audiences when attention is already focused on issues relevant to their health, culture, or lived experiences, allowing climate-health messages to be more timely, relevant, and effective. While not exhaustive, this calendar serves as a starting point for developing an annual outreach and risk communication plan.
Awareness & Celebration Events American Heart Month
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
X
Arab Heritage Month
X
Arbor Day – Last Friday of April
X
Ashma Awareness Month
X
Asian and Pacific Islander Month
X
Black History Month CA Clean Air Day
1
COPD Awareness Month
X
Diabetes Health Month
X
Earth Day
22
Environmental Awareness Month
X
Extreme Heat Awareness Month
X
Filipino Heritage Month
X
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 59 |Page
Dec
Awareness & Celebration Events
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Food Day: Food Security & Access to Healthy Foods X
High Fire Season in Ventura County
Historic end of fire season
Begin 22, ends Oct/ Nov
(Ventura County, a prudent planning window for elevated wildfire risk would be May through November, with particular focus from June to October as the core high season. But with the changing climate, off-season fires demand that preparedness and monitoring continue year-round.) Hispanic Heritage Month
15 ̶
International Climate Action Day
15 24
21
International Workers Day Irish American Heritage Month
Nov
16
Great Outdoors Month
International Day of Forests
Oct
15 X
Jewish American Heritage Month
X
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
X
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
X
Mental Health Awareness Month
X
Mental Health Month
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 60 |Page
Dec
Awareness & Celebration Events
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
National Air Quality Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month
X
National Emergency Preparedness Month
X
National Farm Safety and Health Week
3rd week
National Farmworker Awareness Week
23-31
National Food Day National Health Education Week
2-24
National Minority Health Month
X
National Oceans Month
X
National Senior Citizen’s Day
21
Native American Heritage Month
X
OneHealth Month
X
San Ysidro Festival honoring farmers and laborers
15
Transgender Awareness Week
13 ̶ 19
Valley fever Awareness Month
X
Women’s Health Month Women’s History Month
X X
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 61 |Page
Dec
Awareness & Celebration Events World Car-free Day
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
X
Aug
Sept 22
World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought
17
World Environment Day
5
World Mental Health Day
10 3rd Sat
World Rivers Day World Water Day
Oct
22
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 62 |Page
Nov
Dec
Appendix V. Implementation Roadmap of Possible Activities The Roadmap (Table 1) provides a master list of 44 Activities that could be supported and/or led by the CHE Coordinator. Each Activity is grouped under an Objective and Strategy and is mapped to the Ten Climate Risks. Each activity has also been reviewed against the plan’s Guiding Values and Principles to ensure alignment with equity and further categorized by conceptual Spheres of Impact and Required Resources; by potential Partners, and the Ten Essential Services of Public Health. Each activity is also aligned with the VCPH’s Strategic Plan and the County of Ventura’s General Plan including the Climate Action Elements. Note: The Spheres of Impact and Resources Required are conceptual categories. Spheres of Impact may include specific Groups (e.g., farmworkers, older adults), Communities (e.g., neighborhoods, schools, clinics), Regional (countywide or Central Coast) efforts, or State-level initiatives. Resources Required may encompass personnel, funding, organizational capacity, or other planning and policy structures necessary to support implementation.
Table I. Climate and Health Equity Roadmap Focus Area One: Climate-Health Equity Impacts - Technical Support and Data Sharing Objective 1. Advance Climate-Health Equity Through Data Monitoring and Uplifting Community Voices Strategy 1. Improve Data Quality Activities Technical Support, Data
Climate Risks
Impact
1.1.1 Data Quality: Work with Chief 1. Heat Health Officer (CHO) and clinical community to improve ICD-10 coding and clinical notes for heat illnesses and other climate-related health impacts.
Group Region State
Resources
$
Partners (will vary) CHO EMS/EPI Med Providers VCHA
10 Essential Services 1
VCPH 2023-2025 CoV General Plan + CAP Strategic Plan Multi-sector partnerships & collaboration; Utilize tech advances to further address SDoH; Expand chronic and communicable disease prevention and control efforts among diverse populations experiencing health disparities
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 63 |Page
1.1.2 Data Quality: Work with Medical Examiner & EMS to include heat death information (ex: heat caused, heat contributed, heat related; indoor/outdoor deaths, with/wo AC, unhoused, mobile homes, drug overdoses) in certificates.
1. Heat
1.1.3 Data Completeness: Work with community partners to collect and share input from at risk communities (community voices).
1-10
Group
$
ME VCMC EMS/EPI Health Ed
1
$$$
Health Ed CBO’s
1, 4
Region State
Group Community Region
Multi-sector partnerships & collaboration; Utilize tech advances to further address SDoH; Expand chronic and communicable disease prevention and control efforts among diverse populations experiencing health disparities Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.2 Climate & collaboration; Utilize Change-Related tech advances to further Partnerships The County address SDoH; Expand shall partner with Southern chronic and California Association of communicable disease Governments (SCAG), prevention and control utilities, nonprofit efforts among diverse organizations and other populations experiencing entities to implement health disparities future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 64 |Page
education and promotion, and by using and integrating them in County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP) 1.1.4
1.1.5 3.
4.
5.
6.
Data Fidelity: Work with 1-10 community partners to ensure that data (from reporting sources) accurately represents real-world conditions and groups. Data Informatics: 1-10 Expand Climate & Health Dashboard for Ten Climate Risks: Work with EMS to support additional dashboards and informatics to expand surveillance of other CHE risks: Valley fever, Vector-ecology, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), Air Quality, etc. Build ArcGIS Platform for dashboards, include Story Maps (community stories) Integrate other layers, heat risk, SDoH, PSPS events, non PSPS power outages, cooling centers, etc. Improve data informatics for extracting meaningful, timely, publicly accessible information for
Group
$$$
Health Ed CBO’s
1, 4
$$$
Health Ed EMS
1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10
Community Region Group Community Region State
Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of populations experiencing climate change on health disparities; designated disadvantaged Strengthen the communities by focusing departmental capacity to planning efforts and communicate emerging interventions on public health issues to communities with the the public; Expand and highest need and ensuring implement continuous representatives of these quality improvement communities have a role in practices throughout the the decision-making department process for directing
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 65 |Page
1.1.6
1.
2. 3.
4.
decision making and enhance query features e.g. NYC’s Environmental Health Dashboard Data Transparency/Sharing: Convene and collaborate with community partners to: Interrogate assumptions in data collection and presentation, identify gaps, collaborate on solutions to fill gaps. Create a bilingual version of the dashboard Integrate infographic features (charts, graphs) and map layers for displaying queried data. Train partners on the use of Climate and Health Equity Dashboard tools and features.
Activities Address Data Gaps 1.2.1 Research Collaborations to Identify at risk populations for climate related health impacts: Understand who, what, where,
climate change response. (MPSP, SO) 1-10
Group
$$$
Health Ed EMS
1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10
Community Region State
Climate Risks
Impact
Resources
Partners
10 Essential Services
1-10
Group
$$
Health Ed EMS Academic Institutions
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
Community Region
Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.4 Education and & collaboration; Utilize Outreach on Effects of tech advances to further Climate Change The address SDoH; Expand County shall support chronic and efforts of agencies and communicable disease organizations that provide prevention and control effective education and efforts among diverse outreach to designated populations experiencing disadvantaged health disparities communities on the effects of climate change, including increasing temperatures, wildfires, flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects. (PI) VCPH 2023-2025 CoV General Plan + CAP Strategic Plan Multi-sector partnerships & collaboration; Utilize tech advances to further address SDoH; Expand
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 66 |Page
HAZ-11.2 Climate Change-Related Partnerships: The County shall partner with Southern
why, and how to inform grounded education and messaging efforts.
chronic and California Association of communicable disease Governments (SCAG), prevention and control utilities, nonprofit efforts among diverse organizations and other populations experiencing entities to implement health disparities future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP); HAZ-1.6 Wildfire Risk Education The County shall continue to develop and distribute educational materials and conduct educational outreach activities informing the public about wildfire risk and protection strategies
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 67 |Page
1.2.2 Research Collaboration Maximum Safe Indoor Air Temperatures: Seek research partners to measure and evaluate max safe standards for rental housing and workplaces in Ventura County e.g. LA County PH initiated ordinance passed in 2025.
1 Heat
Group Community Region
$$$
Health Ed EMS Academic Institutions
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
(PSR, IGC, PI); HAZ-3.3 Sea Level Rise Educational Outreach To the extent feasible, the County shall incorporate education elements into coastal adaptation projects to inform the public about the risks of sea level rise and options for adaptation. Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.2 Climate & collaboration; Utilize Change-Related tech advances to further Partnerships The County address SDoH; Expand shall partner with Southern chronic and California Association of communicable disease Governments (SCAG), prevention and control utilities, nonprofit efforts among diverse organizations and other populations experiencing entities to implement health disparities future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 68 |Page
1.2.3
Research Collaboration Air Quality in/near schools: Seek research partners to measure and evaluate indoor and outdoor air quality at schools to develop solutions targeted for most at risk sites.
2 Wildfire Group Smoke & Community Poor Air Region Quality
$$$
Health Ed EMS Academic Institutions APCD
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP) Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of populations experiencing climate change on health disparities designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO)
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 69 |Page
1.2.4
1.2.5
Research Collaboration Cooling 1 Heat Centers: Who is accessing them, when, what are their needs, who is staffing, is there training for operations?
Group
Research Collaboration Energy Poverty: Barriers and thresholds for heating and cooling costs among populations.
Group
1 Heat
$$$
Health Ed EMS CBOs
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
$$$
Health Ed EMS Academic Institutions CBOs
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
Community Region
Community Region
Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of populations experiencing climate change on health disparities designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO) Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 70 |Page
Research Collaboration Energy Poverty, cont.
1.2.6
populations experiencing climate change on health disparities designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO)
Research Collaboration Mobile 1 Heat Homes and Health: Map mobile home parks with SDoH and temperature data, and other types of environmental degradation such as mold, air quality, etc.
Group Community Region
$$$
Health Ed EMS Academic Institutions CBOs
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of populations experiencing climate change on health disparities designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 71 |Page
representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO) 1.2.7
Research Collaboration Climate 5 Vector- Group Amplified Vector Disease Borne Community Outbreaks: Understand how Diseases Region shifting climate and weather patterns are altering disease vectors to improve responses and targeted solutions.
$$$
Health Ed EMS Env. Health Academic Institutions
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of populations experiencing climate change on health disparities designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO)
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 72 |Page
1.2.8
Research Collaboration Climate 7 Mental Amplified Mental Health Health Impacts: Addressing the Impacts polycrisis of climate change in community health, understanding scale and scope of issue among groups, especially marginalized populations and youth; disaster aftermath (disaster health) and long-term compounded impacts (climate disaster + job + housing security, immigration, community resilience). Work with partners to integrate therapeutic techniques and strategies into programs and shape climate education to incorporate affective emotional strategies and techniques especially for youth and young adults.
Group
$$$
Health Ed EMS Academic Institutions CBOs
Community Region State
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
Multi-sector partnerships HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of & collaboration; Utilize Climate Change on tech advances to further Designated address SDoH; Expand Disadvantaged chronic and Communities: The County communicable disease shall work with public, prevention and control private, and nonprofit efforts among diverse partners to limit impacts of populations experiencing climate change on health disparities; designated disadvantaged Promote access to communities by focusing mental health services planning efforts and for children and families interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO)
Focus Area Two: Climate and Health Equity Education and Communication Objective 2. Increase awareness, knowledge, skills, and efficacy of climate health risk prevention Strategy 1. Integrate climate-health evidence into outreach and education
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 73 |Page
Activities
Impact
Resources
Partners
10 Essential Services
VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
Education Curricula & 1-10 Outreach: Collaborate with Health Education team to produce and deliver tailored, culturally aligned curricula and presentations for target audiences associated with each of the 10 climate risks, Ex: School nurses, farmworkers, older adults, AFN community, LGBTQ+, medical providers, etc.
Group
$
Health Ed CBOs Schools
3, 4, 9
Encourage healthy lifestyles by implementing innovative prevention strategies and elevating public awareness of key health messages; Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public.
Education Train the Trainer 1-10 Programs: Create a model for training and providing CHE teaching kits to CBO community leaders, Promotores/CHWs, MRC, and others to present on
Group
$$
Health Ed CBOs Schools
3, 4, 9
Education & Outreach 2.1.1
2.1.2
Climate Risks
Community Region
Community Region
HAZ-11.4 Education and Outreach on Effects of Climate Change The County shall support efforts of agencies and organizations that provide effective education and outreach to designated disadvantaged communities on the effects of climate change, including increasing temperatures, wildfires, flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects. (PI) Strengthen multi-sector HAZ-11.4 Education and partnerships with Outreach on Effects of community stakeholders Climate Change The and agencies to improve County shall support health outcomes: efforts of agencies and Expand chronic and organizations that provide communicable disease effective education and
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 74 |Page
CoV General Plan + CAP
prevention and promotion for the 10 climate risks.
2.1.3
Education Workshops: Heat, 1 Heat Medications, and Chronic Diseases: With CHO and clinical community, increase awareness of heat-related complications with certain medications and chronic conditions.
Group Community Region
$$
Health Ed CD VCPH
3, 4, 9
prevention and control outreach to designated efforts among diverse disadvantaged populations experiencing communities on the effects health disparities of climate change, including increasing temperatures, wildfires, flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects. (PI); PFS-11.7 Social Support Networks: The County shall support efforts to cultivate social support networks to improve community preparedness, response, and recovery from hazards and disasters to minimize injury and loss of life. (SO, PI) Expand chronic and HAZ-11.4 Education and communicable disease Outreach on Effects of prevention and control Climate Change The efforts among diverse County shall support populations experiencing efforts of agencies and health disparities; organizations that provide Enhance departmental effective education and
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 75 |Page
capacity and practice towards the advancement of health equity; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public
2.1.4
Education Materials: Technical Briefs on the 10 Climate Risks to Health for use by PIO, Medical Director, Health Director and others as identified.
1-10
Group Community
$
Health Ed PIO
Region
3, 9,10
outreach to designated disadvantaged communities on the effects of climate change, including increasing temperatures, wildfires, flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects. (PI) Strengthen the HAZ-11.4 Education and departmental capacity to Outreach on Effects of communicate emerging Climate Change The public health issues to County shall support the public; Increase efforts of agencies and internal departmental organizations that provide communication; effective education and Implement targeted outreach to designated messaging campaigns to disadvantaged underserved populations communities on the effects to increase awareness of climate change, and utilization of including increasing available health and temperatures, wildfires, social services flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects. (PI);
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 76 |Page
PFS-5.4 Food Waste Reduction: the County shall continue to provide educational and informational materials to restaurants, grocery stores, and other food providers, as part of food facility inspections, to support donation of safe, unused food to non-profit service agencies. (SO); PFS-11.5 Individual Readiness Educational Programs: the County shall support educational programs that empower individuals to prepare for self-sufficiency in emergencies through an understanding of risk reduction, and emergency response protocols and procedures. (PI 2.1.5
Trainings on Climate Amplified Risks for Emergency Preparedness: Work with EMS and partners to increase the
1-10
Region State
$$
EMS OES
3, 7, 8, 9,10
Support disaster PFS-11.7 Social Support preparedness among Networks…support efforts healthcare system to cultivate social support stakeholders, community networks to improve
Ventura County Public Health Climate Health Equity Plan 77 |Page
number of tabletop exercises that intentionally implement a climate health equity risk component to strengthen preparedness.
members and emergency response organizations; Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes
community preparedness, response, and recovery from hazards and disasters (SO, IGC); PFS11.2 Mutual Training and Aid Agreements The County shall work with other public agencies and organizations to develop, maintain, and enhance mutual training and aid agreements to efficiently prevent and respond to regional emergencies. (SO, IGC)
Strategy 2. Strengthen communications (audiences, messages, timing, and evaluations) Activities Communications & Messaging
2.2.1
Climate Risks
Climate and Health Equity 1-10 Webpage: Work with Team and PIO to create a public facing webpage for publishing resources, and timely guidance and updates.
Impact
Group Community Region
Resources
Partners
10 Essential Services
VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
CoV General Plan + CAP
$$
Health Ed PIO CBOs Schools
1,2,3,4,9
Increase internal departmental communication; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to
HAZ-11.4 Education and Outreach on Effects of Climate Change The County shall support efforts of agencies and organizations that provide effective education and
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the public; Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes
2.2.2 1.
2.
2.
3.
Climate Health Equity 1-10 Workgroup (CHEW): Finalize Climate Risk Communication Framework by meeting with divisions and departments for input. Convene a working group to cocreate tailored climate risk campaigns based on the CRC framework and the expanded Climate and Health Equity Dashboard. Map at-risk groups, strategize messages, messengers, channels for targeted communications. Build a portfolio of media assets; and share with partners.
Group Community Region
$$
Health Ed EMS One Health
3,4,8,10
outreach to designated disadvantaged communities on the effects of climate change, including increasing temperatures, wildfires, flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects. (PI) Increase internal HAZ-11.4 Education and departmental Outreach on Effects of communication; Climate Change The Strengthen the County shall support departmental capacity to efforts of agencies and communicate emerging organizations that provide public health issues to effective education and the public; Increase outreach to designated internal departmental disadvantaged communication; communities on the effects Implement targeted of climate change, messaging campaigns to including increasing underserved populations temperatures, wildfires, to increase awareness flooding, sea level rise, and utilization of poor air quality, extreme available health and weather events, disease social services prevention, and other public health effects. (PI);
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Create a calendar for timing the distribution of campaigns and a list of partners. Develop and conduct evaluation plan for each of the campaigns.
HAZ-11.2 Climate Change-Related Partnerships: the County shall partner with Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), utilities, nonprofit organizations and other entities to implement future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP)
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Focus Area Three: Workforce & Health Systems Capacity Objective 1. Build VCPH workforce literacy and integrate climate-health equity in service delivery Strategy 1. Educate staff on climate-health equity intersections Activities Workforce Education & Capacity-Building
3.1.1
Climate Risks
VCPH Workforce Development 1-10 & Training: Build climate and health equity competency through trainings of VCPH staff, tailored to their program population and needs.
Impact
Region
Resources
Partners
10 Essential Services
$$
Health Ed HR
8,9,10
VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
CoV General Plan + CAP
Enhance departmental capacity and practice towards the advancement of health equity; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public.
PFS-11.2 Mutual Training and Aid Agreements: the County shall work with other public agencies and organizations to develop, maintain, and enhance mutual training and aid agreements to efficiently prevent and respond to regional emergencies. (SO, IGC); HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of Climate Change on Designated Disadvantaged Communities: The County shall work with public, private, and nonprofit partners to limit impacts of climate change on
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3.1.2
VCPH Programs CHE Integration: Work with internal programs to integrate climate risk considerations across programmatic areas and decision making: E.g. Overdose. Prevention, WIC, Clinics, Visiting Nurses, EMS, CD, etc.
1-10
Group Community Region
$
Health Ed Risk Management
8,9,10
designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO) Enhance departmental PFS-11.2 Mutual Training capacity and practice and Aid Agreements: the towards the County shall work with advancement of health other public agencies and equity; Strengthen the organizations to develop, departmental capacity to maintain, and enhance communicate emerging mutual training and aid public health issues to agreements to efficiently the public. prevent and respond to regional emergencies. (SO, IGC); HAZ-11.3 Limit Impacts of Climate Change on Designated Disadvantaged Communities: The County shall work with public, private, and nonprofit
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partners to limit impacts of climate change on designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO) Strategy 2. Support the adoption of climate-health equity in healthcare provision Actions Workforce Climate-Health Equity Learning & Adoption 3.2.1
Climate Risks
VCPH CHIS Strategies: Work in 1-10 collaboration/adjacent to community partners on top three CHNA 2026-2028 priorities: Behavioral Health, Women’s Health, Older Adults’ Health, to align and integrate CHE goals and strategies.
Impact
Group Community Region
Resources
Partners
10 Essential Services
VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
$$
VCHA Behavioral Health EMS VCPH
2,3,6,7,9, 10
Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes; Enhance collaboration with entities providing mental health and social
Communities Lifting Communities
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CoV General Plan + CAP
3.2.2
Regional Medical & Healthcare 1-10 Services: Work with clinical partners at VCMC and ambulatory clinics to increase knowledge on how climate health equity intersects with their delivery of services and care.
Community Region
$
VCHCA (VCMC) Behavioral Health EMS VCPH
services; Expand chronic and communicable disease prevention and control efforts among diverse populations experiencing health disparities Strengthen multi-sector PFS-11.2 Mutual Training partnerships with and Aid Agreements: The community stakeholders County shall work with and agencies to improve other public agencies and health outcomes; organizations to develop, Support disaster maintain, and enhance preparedness among mutual training and aid healthcare system agreements to efficiently stakeholders, community prevent and respond to members and regional emergencies. emergency response (SO, IGC); HAZ-11.3 Limit organizations; Impacts of Climate Strengthen the Change on Designated departmental capacity to Disadvantaged communicate emerging Communities: The County public health issues to shall work with public, the public private, and nonprofit partners to limit impacts of climate change on designated disadvantaged communities by focusing planning efforts and
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3.2.3
Convene a Community Workgroup/Advisory Group for CHE Plan: As part of the data tools/dashboard development, convene a partner workgroup to collect community input on assumptions, data, and equity integration to inform Year Two priorities.
1-10
Community Region
$
Health Ed CBOs
interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response. (MPSP, SO) Strengthen multi-sector HAZ-11.2 Climate partnerships with Change-Related community stakeholders Partnerships: The County and agencies to improve shall partner with Southern health outcomes; California Association of Enhance departmental Governments (SCAG), capacity and practice utilities, nonprofit towards the organizations and other advancement of health entities to implement equity future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through education and promotion,
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3.2.4
Clean Air, Cooling, and Heating Shelters: Work with Jurisdictions, Medical Centers & American Red Cross to establish clean air, heating and cooling center network.
2 Wildfire Community Smoke & Region Poor Air Quality
$$$
Administration
Health Ed CBOs
and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP) Support disaster HAZ-11.2 Climate preparedness among Change-Related healthcare system Partnerships: The County stakeholders, community shall partner with Southern members and California Association of emergency response Governments (SCAG), organizations; utilities, nonprofit Strengthen multi-sector organizations and other partnerships with entities to implement community stakeholders future and ongoing heatand agencies to improve related climate change health outcomes; initiatives. The County’s Expand chronic and partnership in ongoing communicable disease programs and future prevention and control initiatives could include efforts among diverse helping other populations experiencing organizations increase health disparities participation in existing programs through education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible.
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(JP)PFS-9.1 Library Programs, Services, and Resources: the County shall continue to provide access to library facilities and services throughout the county. Library programs, services, and resources shall be periodically evaluated to identify opportunities to expand vocational training, literacy, life skills, lifelong learning, health, and wellness programs. (SO) Focus Area Four: Regional Climate Resiliency Objective 1. Strengthen partnerships and community capacity for climate-health equity Strategy 1. Build relationships with community and agency partners Activities
4.1.1
Partnerships for Two-Way Knowledge Exchange & Learning Participate in Communities of Practice: PHA Climate Equity Accelerator
Climate Risks
1-10
Impact
Region
Resources
Partners
10 Essential Services
$
CBOs
8
CDPH
VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
CoV General Plan + CAP
Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve
HAZ-11.2 Climate Change-Related Partnerships: The County shall partner with Southern
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CDPH Climate and Health, TBD – NACCHO, APHA.
4.1.2
Convene Regional 1-10 Jurisdictional Partners & CBOs: Share CHE quarterly updates for CoV e.g. heat illnesses, Valley fever, etc.
NGOs
Community
$
Multiple
Region
Build alignment on CRC messaging, share resources with
4, 5,6,10
health outcomes; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public
California Association of Governments (SCAG), utilities, nonprofit organizations and other entities to implement future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP)
Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes; Strengthen the departmental capacity to
HAZ-11.2 Climate Change-Related Partnerships: The County shall partner with Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), utilities, nonprofit
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Tri county (SLO, SB, VC) health departments and Sustainability programs.
communicate emerging public health issues to the public; Support disaster preparedness among healthcare system stakeholders, community members and emergency response organizations
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organizations and other entities to implement future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP); PFS-9.1 Library Programs, Services, and Resources: The County shall continue to provide access to library facilities and services throughout the county. Library programs, services, and resources shall be periodically evaluated to identify opportunities to expand vocational training,
literacy, life skills, lifelong learning, health, and wellness programs. (SO); HAZ-12.5 Alert and Warning Systems: The County shall continue to maintain a comprehensive, coordinated and robust alert and warning program to communicate threats and hazards to residents before, during and after an emergency. (SO) 4.1.4
Collaborate with Other Divisions 1-10 & Departments to Deepen Health Equity: Extend CHE in other planning, policy, training opportunities e.g. land use planning, housing, transportation, resilience hubs, etc.
Region
$
Sustainability Transportation
VC Fire Department
OES EMS
4, 7
Increase internal departmental communication; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public; Enhance departmental capacity and practice towards the advancement of health equity
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HAZ-11.2 Climate Change-Related Partnerships: The County shall partner with Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), utilities, nonprofit organizations and other entities to implement future and ongoing heatrelated climate change initiatives. The County’s partnership in ongoing programs and future initiatives could include
helping other organizations increase participation in existing programs through education and promotion, and by using and integrating them into County programs and activities, where feasible. (JP); PFS-9.1 Library Programs, Services, and Resources: The County shall continue to provide access to library facilities and services throughout the county. Library programs, services, and resources shall be periodically evaluated to identify opportunities to expand vocational training, literacy, life skills, lifelong learning, health, and wellness programs. (SO); HAZ-12.2 Countywide Hazard Mitigation Planning: The County shall continue to maintain and periodically update the
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Ventura County Emergency Operations Plan and the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan covering hazards in the county. (MPSP, IGC, PI) 4.1.5
Collaborate on Grant Writing: 1-10 Track RFPs and convene partners for joint grant submissions to advance work.
$
4,9,10
Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes
PFS-3.3 Grant Funding Cooperation: The County shall coordinate with special districts and other agencies, as appropriate, when applying for state and federal funding for public infrastructure, water and wastewater treatment and distribution needs. (FB, IGC)
Strategy 2. Support community-based resilience and worker protection initiatives Activities Policies to Improve Climate Health Equity 4.2.1
Climate Risks
Policy: Illness Prevention for 1 Heat County Workforce Collaborate on an internal policy to ensure heat worker safety for employees
Impact
Resources
Community $$
Partners
10 Essential Services
VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
CoV General Plan + CAP
CoV Risk
3,5,6,8
Protect the population of Ventura County from chronic disease, the spread of infectious
HAZ-11.5 Outdoor Worker Protection: The County shall work with State and County health agencies
Management
HR
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(combine with internal trainings and plans).
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
$$
Administration
6 Community Infectiou s Diseases
$$
CoV Risk
2 Wildfire Community Smoke & Poor Air Quality
$$
Policy: Heat Illness Prevention for County Contractors Collaborate on a procurement policy that requires heat worker safety provisions for awarded contracts (combine with internal trainings and plans).
1 Heat
Policy: Valley fever Illness Prevention for County’s Outdoor Workforce Collaborate on an internal policy to reduce Valley fever exposure risks for outdoor employees (combine with internal trainings and plans). Policy: Wildfire Smoke Prevention for County Workforce Collaborate on an internal policy to ensure CoV workers have adequate protection
Community Region
Procurement
disease, environmental hazards, and disasters.
and local organizations to provide educational programs and resources targeted at reducing the impacts of exposure to sun and heat. (IGC, JP, PI)
3,5,6,8
Protect the population of Ventura County from chronic disease, the spread of infectious disease, environmental hazards, and disasters.
HAZ-11.5 Outdoor Worker Protection: The County shall work with State and County health agencies and local organizations to provide educational programs and resources targeted at reducing the impacts of exposure to sun and heat. (IGC, JP, PI)
3, 5,6,8
Protect the population of Ventura County from chronic disease, the spread of infectious disease, environmental hazards, and disasters.
3, 5,6,8
Protect the population of Ventura County from chronic disease, the spread of infectious
Management
HR
CoV Risk
Management
HR
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PFS-12.1 Collaboration Among Partners: The County shall encourage the Fire Protection District to continue to develop
from wildfire smoke (combine with internal trainings and plans).
4.2.5
ICARP Heat Action Plan (HAP) 1 Heat to Regional Policy: Work with Sustainability Division and jurisdictional partners to codify the HAP into cross-jurisdictional policies.
Community
$
Sustainability
1,2,3,4,5, 9,10
disease, environmental hazards, and disasters.
relationships with local, state, and federal agencies and non-profit organizations to collaboratively inform and prepare citizens for wildland fires.
Protect the population of Ventura County from chronic disease, the spread of infectious disease, environmental hazards, and disasters.
PFS-11.7 Social Support Networks: The County shall support efforts to cultivate social support networks to improve community preparedness, response, and recovery from hazards and disasters to minimize injury and loss of life. (SO, PI); PFS-11.3 Emergency Services Accessibility: The County shall work with cities, local and regional agencies, and organizations to identify and remove impediments to emergency services accessibility, particularly for residents facing systemic barriers, such as
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a disability, limited mobility, language barrier, or limited telecommunications. (IGC, SO); HAZ-11.5 Outdoor Worker Protection: The County shall work with State and County health agencies and local organizations to provide educational programs and resources targeted at reducing the impacts of exposure to sun and heat. (IGC, JP, PI); HAZ-11.6 Accessible Cooling Centers: The County shall expand partnerships with local governments, nongovernment organizations, churches, and businesses to provide additional cooling centers, particularly in designated disadvantaged communities. (SO, IGC, JP, PI) Special Projects
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Objective 1. Innovate solutions to emerging climate-health challenges Activities Policies to Improve Climate Health Equity 5.1
New Approaches to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Farmworkers & Outdoor Workers: Work with industry and labor to co-develop unique PPE solutions to mitigate heat exposure (see example of Patagonia and VCAPCD), e.g. developing and producing ultra lightweight, low-cost cooling backpack and hydration system.
Climate Risks
Impact
Resources
Partners
1 Heat
Populations
$$$
TBD
Community
10 Essential Services
1,2,4,7,8 Protect the population of Ventura County from chronic disease, the spread of infectious disease, environmental hazards, and disasters; Encourage healthy lifestyles by implementing innovative prevention strategies and elevating public awareness of key health messages
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VCPH 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
CoV General Plan + CAP
HAZ-11.5 Outdoor Worker Protection: The County shall work with State and County health agencies and local organizations to provide educational programs and resources targeted at reducing the impacts of exposure to sun and heat. (IGC, JP, PI)
Populations Dependent 1 Heat on CA 8 Food Community state Systems/ funding Nutrition Impacts
5.2
ICARP Round Two Funding with CoV Division of Sustainability for Cool Schools: Continuation of CALFresh school garden program + shade trees + youth leadership for improving shade and air quality at schools (see example SB Bucket Brigade) and CA Schoolyard Forest Program.
5.4
Education Workshop “Bringing 1-10 Farmworkers into the Healthy Farms Model” for Growers: Cocreate a workshop for VC Growers with growers, the Farm Bureau and others, on the climate health risks faced by farmworkers, best practices to reduce risks, and include economic benefit analysis of risk reduction.
Populations Community
$$$
TBD
1,2,4,5
Encourage healthy lifestyles by implementing innovative prevention strategies and elevating public awareness of key health messages; Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes
HAZ-11.9 Urban Greening: The County shall promote the use of urban greening techniques, such as cool pavement technology, parking lot shading, landscaping, and other methods to offset climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for discretionary development and County initiated projects. (RDR, FB, SO)
Health Ed 1,2,3,4,5, Encourage healthy Farmworker 7 lifestyles by Resource implementing innovative Center prevention strategies Farm Bureau and elevating public awareness of key health messages; Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes
HAZ-11.5 Outdoor Worker Protection: The County shall work with State and County health agencies and local organizations to provide educational programs and resources targeted at reducing the impacts of exposure to sun and heat. (IGC, JP, PI)
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5.5 5
Climate Resilient Health Systems: Through a systems approach, work with VCHP Leadership, EMS, VCHCA, Sustainability Division, and partners ”to build a climateresilient health system that includes strong governance and leadership, strategic resource allocation, climate change mitigation and emergency preparedness infrastructure (renewables, energy efficiency, battery systems) to respond to climate disruptions such as widespread grid failure and the delivery of services to address climate sensitive diseases and their risk sources (example UCLA Health Climate Resilience).
1-10
Community Region
$$$$
VCHA & VCPH Administration
State
7,8,9,10
Support disaster PFS-1.2 Resilient Facilities preparedness among and Services: The County healthcare system shall monitor the projected stakeholders, community impacts of climate change members and and natural disasters to emergency response make adaptive organizations; Expand improvements and and implement upgrades to public continuous quality facilities and services (SO) improvement practices PFS-7.7 Community throughout the Microgrids: The County department; Strengthen shall collaborate with multi-sector partnerships renewable energy with community developers, community stakeholders and choice aggregation agencies to improve programs, and local health outcomes serving entities to develop solar generation plus energy storage at critical facilities and community microgrids for resilience during power outages with a priority in designated disadvantaged communities. (JP) PFS-2.1 Sustainable Plans and Operations: The County shall encourage energy efficiency,
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greenhouse gas reduction features, and resiliency planning into County facility and service plans and operations. (MPSP, SO) 5.6
Predictive Dust Modeling and Messaging for Valley fever Prevention: Work with UCSDScripps or other researchers and NWS to co-develop and pilot a predictive model to inform the timing and geographic distribution of cocci exposure prevention messaging.
2 Wildfire Region Smoke & Poor Air Quality 4 Drought
$$ grant
5.7
Creative and Cultural Climate Action: With County Arts Ambassador and CBOs codevelop initiatives to catalyze and foster citizen engagement in prevention and promotion of behaviors to reduce climate risks, evaluate using tested methods.
1-10
$$$$
Region
Health Ed OneHealth NWS CBOs Academics
1,2,3,4,7, Utilize technological 9 advances to further address social determinants of health; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public; Strengthen multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes Health Ed 3,4,7,9 Strengthen multi-sector Ventura Co partnerships with Arts Council community stakeholders and agencies to improve health outcomes; Encourage healthy lifestyles by implementing innovative prevention strategies
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and elevating public awareness of key health messages; Strengthen the departmental capacity to communicate emerging public health issues to the public.
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Appendix VI. References Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. (2026, June 3). Weather, extremes & atmosphere. https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/topics/weather-extremesatmosphere 2 Newman, R. & Noy, I. (2023).The global costs of extreme weather that are attributable to climate change. Nature Communication 14, 6103. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41888-1 3 Crowfoot, W. (2026, May 26). Preparing for impact convening: Unveiling California’s new climate change projections to guide action [Conference presentation]. California Natural Resources Agency, Sacramento, CA. 4 Ibid 5 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). AR6 synthesis report: Summary for policymakers headline statements. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/resources/spm-headline-statements 6 Oakley, N. S., Hatchett, B. J., McEvoy, D., & Rodriguez, L. (2019). Projected changes in Ventura County climate. Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute. https://wrcc.dri.edu/Climate/reports.php 7 Rockström, J., Norström, A. V., Matthews, N., Biggs, R., Folke, C., Harikishun, A., Huq, S., Krishnan, N., Warszawski, L., & Nel, D. (2023). Shaping a resilient future in response to COVID-19. Nature Sustainability, 6(8), 897–907. https://rdcu.be/fmbnC 8 American Public Health Association. (2023). Climate change and health equity strategic plan. American Public Health Association. 9 California Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Health impacts (Climate, Health & Equity). Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OHE/Pages/Climate-Health-Equity/Health-Impacts.aspx 10 Walinski A, Sander J, Gerlinger G, Clemens V, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Heinz A. The Effects of Climate Change on Mental Health. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2023 Feb 24;120(8):117-124. 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0403 11 Ma, T., Moore, J., & Cleary, A. (2022). Climate change impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of young people: A scoping review of risk and protective factors. Social Science & Medicine, 301, 114888. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114888 12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, June 18). Heat and medications – Guidance for clinicians. https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/hcp/clinicalguidance/heat-and-medications-guidance-for-clinicians.html 13 U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Heat – Standards. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/standards 14 Venkata Sarath Chandra, S. & Zhiwei, X. (2024). Heat and health of occupational workers: a short summary of literature. J Occup Health, 66(1):uiae018. 10.1093/joccuh/uiae018 15 Amoadu, M., Ansah, E.W., Sarfo, J. & Hormenu, T. (2023). Impact of climate change and heat stress on workers' health and productivity: A scoping review. Journal of Climate Change and Health, 1, 100007. 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100249 1
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Hyland, C., Flores, D., Augusto, G., Ruiz, I., Vega, M., & Wood, R. (2024). “No matter how hot it is, you just have to do the work”: Examining farmworkers’ experiences with heat and climate change in Idaho. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 16, 100300. : 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100300 17 Zhang, Y., Xu, R., Huang, W. et al. (2025). Respiratory risks from wildfire-specific PM2.5 across multiple countries and territories. Nat Sustain., 8, 474–484 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01533-9 18 Ibid 19 Noah, T.L., Worden, C.P., Rebuli, M.E., & Jaspers, I. (2023). The Effects of Wildfire Smoke on Asthma and Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep., 23(7):375-387. doi: 10.1007/s11882-023-01090-1. PMID: 37171670; PMCID: PMC10176314 20 Lynch, V. D., & Shaman, J. (2023). Waterborne infectious diseases associated with exposure to tropical cyclonic storms, United States, 1996–2018. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 29(8), 1548-1558. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2908.221906 21 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, March 2). Precipitation extremes. CDC. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from Precipitation Extremes | Climate and Health | CDC 22 Acosta-España, J.D., Romero-Alvarez, D., Luna, C., Rodriguez-Morales, A.J. (2024). Infectious disease outbreaks in the wake of natural flood disasters: global patterns and local implications. Infez Med., 32(4):451-462. doi: 10.53854/liim-3204-4. PMID: 39660153; PMCID: PMC11627491 23 Butsch, C., Beckers, L.M., Nilson, E., Frassl, M., Brennholt, N., Kwiatkowski, R., & Söder, M. (2023). Health impacts of extreme weather events - Cascading risks in a changing climate. J Health Monit., 8(Suppl 4):33-56. doi: 10.25646/11652 24 Bedsworth, L., Cayan, D., Franco, G., Fisher, L., & Ziaja, S. (2018). Statewide summary report: California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment (Publication No. SUM-CCCA4-2018-013). California Governor’s Office of Planning & Research, California Energy Commission, & California Natural Resources Agency. Retrieved June 3, 2026, from California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report 25 California Department of Water Resources. (n.d.). Climate change and water. State of California. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from Climate Change and Water 26 Gobler, C. J. (2020). Climate change and harmful algal blooms: Insights and perspective. Harmful Algae, 91, 101731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2019.101731 27 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 18). Harmful algal blooms: Contributing factors and impacts. https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algalblooms/about/harmful-algal-blooms-contributing-factors-and-impacts.html 28 Griffith, A. W., & Gobler, C. J. (2020). Harmful algal blooms: A climate change co-stressor in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Harmful Algae, 91, 101590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2019.03.008 29 Young, N., Sharpe, R. A., Barciela, R., Nichols, G., Davidson, K., Berdalet, E., & Fleming, L. E. (2020). Marine harmful algal blooms and human health: A systematic scoping review. Harmful Algae, 98, 101901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2020.101901 30 Dave, S., Dave, P., & Pal, M. (2015). The impact of climate change on emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne human diseases. International Journal of Livestock Research, 5(7), 1–10. (PDF) The Impact of Climate Change on Emergence and Re-emergence of Vector-borne Human Diseases 31 Nel, J., & Richards, L. (2022). Climate change and impact on infectious diseases. Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine, 4(3), 129–134. http://dx.doi.org/10.18772/26180197.2022.v4n3a1 16
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