Health Aff (Millwood). 2026 May;45(5):570-579. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01639.
ABSTRACT
Latino communities in California experience disproportionate climate-related health risks, including extreme heat and air pollution. Despite the state’s leadership in climate and environmental justice policy, existing data systems often do not integrate climate exposures, health outcomes, or neighborhood-level vulnerability in ways that meaningfully inform policy action. This Analysis draws on insights from the Latino Climate and Health Dashboard, a publicly available, neighborhood-level data tool that documents disparities between Latino and non-Latino White neighborhoods across California. The dashboard was developed with advisory board guidance, using the EPIS (exploration, preparation, implementation, sustainment) framework to structure data development and engagement. After the dashboard’s release, we convened community policy dialogues (“policy pláticas”) in which community organization leaders, practitioners, advocates, and legislative staff interpreted the findings and identified five policy priorities: coordinated climate and air quality governance, sustained community monitoring and early warning systems, equitable cooling and infrastructure investments, stronger connections between climate policy and health outcomes, and climate-resilient access to health care and worker protections. A participatory data tool can support equity-oriented climate-health policy making and inform efforts to translate data into policy action.
PMID:42081763 | DOI:10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01639
