WASHINGTON (April 30, 2026) — On Friday, April 24, 2026, the REACH Center, Redstone Global Center, and GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future convened the 2026 Climate and Health Research Day, an energizing afternoon that highlighted the breadth and impact of climate and health research across the three entities and partnering institutions. Centered on the theme REACHing Across Data, Disciplines, and Communities, the event showcased how researchers are leveraging diverse data, forging interdisciplinary collaborations, and partnering with communities to address some of the most pressing climate-related health challenges of our time.
The event brought together over 130 participants and featured 13 research flash talks and 25 poster presentations. A defining feature of the flash talk session was the deep integration of community partners across a wide range of projects, illustrating how collaboration strengthens both the rigor and real-world impact of climate and health research. Presentations highlighted partnerships such as a community-centered study of road pricing in Washington, DC, conducted with Greater Greater Washington; research on wildfire-related air pollution and mortality among dialysis patients in collaboration with the American Association of Kidney Patients; and efforts to improve drinking water resilience following hurricanes alongside Clean Water for North Carolina. Other projects showcased collaborations with organizations including the American Cancer Society, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and the DC Department of Energy and Environment, as well as global partners such as the Bangladesh Ministry of Health, the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization, and Haramaya University in Ethiopia. Across topics, from housing insecurity and heat to infectious disease modeling and climate-related mental health, a clear theme emerged: meaningful progress in climate and health depends on integrating knowledge across disciplines and grounding research in the needs and experiences of communities.
Beyond showcasing research, the event fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration. Mentorship was evident throughout, supporting the next generation of researchers, while dedicated networking time encouraged new partnerships and cross-institutional connections. The afternoon served not only as a reflection of current impact, but also as a launchpad for future interdisciplinary and community-centered initiatives. Read the event program.