Every 4^th Tuesday of the month, different members of our EPIP St. Louis community will lead monthly discussion on a particular topic or article. Grab a friend, bring your lunch and come prepared to meet new people and discuss ways to move the sector forward. EPIP St. Louis will provide snacks and deserts. 

Environmental Health

Tuesday May 28th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm @ St. Louis MHB

As understanding of the impact of climate change on human health continues to evolve, philanthropy has a significant opportunity to offer support in this space to help lessen the impacts. It is well documented that rising temperatures, more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and increasing CO₂ levels adversely impact human health. The Lancet Commission on Climate and Health recently noted that climate change is this generations’ greatest public health opportunity and it poses a major threat to the public health gains made over the past fifty years. Climate change has disproportionate impacts on communities of color and low-income communities across the world which has propelled many conversations around environmental justice. 

This month we are joined by Doneisha Bohannon, Program Officer at Missouri Foundation for Health, who will offer insights from a recent “The Funders Network” conference and conversations with the “Health & Environmental Funders Network.” We will explore options for improving heath and equity while addressing climate change and talk about how local funders see themselves being part of this work. Climate change is happening and there is a real opportunity for philanthropy to get involved to catalyze efforts in this space.

In preparation for our conversation, please read the following articles:
Improving Health and Equity While Addressing Climate Change
Our Climate Change And Health “Moment”: How Philanthropy Can Help

About the Facilitator: 

Doneisha Bohannon, MPH is a Program Officer with Missouri Foundation for Health where she works to support health and wellness programs in school districts and communities across the state. Doneisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography with a minor in Sociology/Anthropology and a master’s degree in Public Health. Throughout her career, she has worked to understand how people’s interaction with place, impacts their health. She is committed to environmental justice and works to ensure voices from individuals and communities most in need are elevated in conversations around health.