NOAA is supporting the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Healthoffsite link at George Mason University, and Meharry School of Global Healthoffsite link, as it initiates the inaugural fellowship for Policy Experience in Equity Climate and Health (PEECH) to address climate-driven health disparities.

The PEECH fellowship was officially launched with NOAA on September 1, 2024 through Virginia Sea Grantoffsite link, a seven-university partnership that includes George Mason University.

The fellowship is a full-time program designed to educate and train new doctors to address climate and health inequities through policy. PEECH will also train doctors to become leaders in climate and health equity advocacy and policy solutions. The fellowship enables physicians from underrepresented communities to gain policy experience by connecting them with federal agencies to address climate-driven health disparities.

“We are pleased to partner with the Policy Experience in Equity, Climate and Health Fellowship to further equity solutions for all communities,” said Daniel Dawes, Founding Dean of Meharry School of Global Health, within Meharry Medical Collegeoffsite link, one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. “The program will support our shared mission to improve access to the benefits of federal programs and protections, create healthier communities and give equal opportunities to achieve a healthy mind, body and environment to all U.S. residents.”

“NOAA and the Meharry School of Global Health are natural partners for this 18-month Policy Experience in Equity, Climate and Health fellowship,” said Dr. Shaneeta Johnson, fellowship director for the Climate and Equity Health Fellowshipoffsite link and the PEECH fellowship. “Together, we will have an even greater impact on frontline communities.”

The first PEECH fellow is Dr. Alfred Glover, a podiatric physician based in Los Angeles, who is also a 2023 Climate and Health Equity Fellowoffsite link. His work in climate includes advocating for local and state governments to advance policies to achieve health equity.

Read the full article about climate-driven health disparities at NOAA.