Climate change and health in rural mountain environments: summary of a workshop on knowledge gaps, barriers, and opportunities for action

Climate change and its associated impacts on human health are serious and growing challenges. Yet, despite elevated health disparities, unique underlying vulnerabilities, and distinctive ecosystems, little research has been conducted in rural mountain environments to understand climate-health interactions. The climate change and health workshop in rural mountain environments was held at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, United States, to address these research gaps. Experts, community members, and students from diverse disciplines engaged in World Cafe brainstorms and open-ended discussions to highlight needs across seven research priority themes, which focused on rural southern Appalachia but are applicable to other rural mountain environments: (1) anticipating climate change-driven environmental changes specific to rural mountain environments; (2) identifying and reaching vulnerable populations; (3) building health care access security during weather disasters; (4) building mental health support security in the context of climate change; (5) vector-borne disease resilience; (6) building food security in the context of climate change; and (7) public education and conversations of climate change. This report summarizes the workshop findings and provides a template for future research at the intersection of climate and health, including but not limited to establishing multi-sector and interdisciplinary working groups with clear objectives, enhancing knowledge and understanding of key issues, as well as acting collaboratively and engaging with stakeholders to build resilience in rural mountain environments to address the effects of climate change on human health.