United States

Each year, a U.S. brief is released alongside the global report of the Lancet Countdown. The brief aims to draw out the most nationally relevant findings to highlight the key threats and opportunities climate change poses for health in the United States.

One intended audience for the brief is U.S. policymakers, so it includes a list of policy recommendations that aim to protect human health from the climate crisis.

The brief is developed in partnership with the American Public Health Association and a Working Group of experts in the climate and health field.

The 2024 Lancet Countdown Brief for the United States (U.S.) highlights national data on the health impacts of climate change and progress on climate action from the 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown. It highlights three priority opportunities for an incoming administration of any party to centre health in its approach to climate action.

Want to find out more? Read the 2024 U.S. Brief here.

Download the brief [EN]
Download the brief [ES]

Recommendations for action

Climate change has created a health crisis that will continue to worsen unless the U.S. takes decisive action to end its fossil fuel dependence, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and invest in strong health systems and climate resilience.

The 2024 Policy Brief for the U.S. highlights key opportunities to prioritize health and health equity as key measures of successful climate action.

Rapidly reduce fossil fuel production and use while accelerating the transition to clean, non-combustion renewable energy to improve health and health equity

1.1: End new commitments to fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure and rapidly phase out existing production and use
1.2: Accelerate electrification by rapidly scaling up the production, storage, and transmission of non-polluting, non-combustion renewable energy
1.3: Reduce methane emissions
1.4: Invest in equitable active transport and zero-emission public transportation
1.5: Phase out fossil fuel investments and subsidies, reinvesting in healthy climate action

Build resilient, adaptable communities and support public health to protect people from climate impacts

2.1: Recognize health system vulnerabilities and invest in readiness and resilience
2.2: Invest in strong public health systems and support public health readiness for climate change
2.3: Leverage infrastructure and built environment investments to maximize community health and resilience

Build U.S. global leadership through scaling up global investments and support for climate and health action

3.1: Expand U.S. contributions to global climate finance in line with need and scale of investments in other global challenges
3.2: Retool global climate, health, and development investments to achieve interconnected climate and health goals
3.3: Support changes to the global financial architecture, including debt structures, to enable greater investment in health and social systems

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