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National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health
PRESENTED BY
Mercer Logo
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
CDC Logo
WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM
Elevance Health Logo

Extreme climate conditions are bringing new hazards to the nation’s workplaces.

From severe heat to unprecedented storms to poor air quality caused by wildfires and pollution, these increasingly frequent weather events threaten both worker health and business resilience.

Almost half of the U.S. workforce — 65 million people — face climate-related health risks on the job. Yet only 17% of CEOs have implemented strategies to protect employees.

Amid these escalating challenges, a group of leaders from business, public health and sustainability convened to create the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health.

The Commission will empower employers to protect workers from the health risks posed by our changing climate.
Stay Informed

In our people-powered economy, health risks are business risks.

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Increased Costs

Climate-related health costs in the U.S. now total over $800 billion per year.
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Lost Productivity

Extreme heat causes productivity loss of 295 billion work hours worldwide each year.
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43% of workers are experiencing persistent eco-anxiety, resulting in work demotivation and lost focus.

Growing Anxiety

In our people-powered economy, health risks are business risks.

$800 Billion Icon
Climate-related health costs in the U.S. now total over $800 billion per year.
295 Billion Icon
Extreme heat causes productivity loss of 295 billion work hours worldwide each year.
43% Icon
43% of workers are experiencing persistent eco-anxiety, resulting in work demotivation and lost focus.

The Increasing Risks to Our People-Powered Economy

Download “The Increasing Risks to Our People-Powered Economy,” the Commission’s analysis of the significant implications our changing climate poses to worker health and business performance.

Climate Report Resource
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A Business Case for Protecting Workers From Extreme Heat

Rising temperatures have led to preventable heat-related illnesses and deaths, underscoring the need for stronger worker protections. In this op-ed, Commissioners Vanessa Kerry and Sen. Bill Frist explain how proactive safeguards can boost both employee well-being and business performance.

Featured Resources

Informed by the top minds in business, communications and public health, we offer best-in-class tools, training and events to support employers in building a healthy workforce.

Protecting Mental Health Amid Climate Challenges

Practical advice to help employees manage climate-related anxiety.

Protecting Against Unhealthy Air Quality

Easy-to-follow strategies to help employers create a workplace air quality plan, plus tips for employees on protecting themselves when air quality is unhealthy.

Protecting Against Extreme Heat

How to create a heat stress management program in your workplace, plus practical advice for employees on staying safe and vigilant in extreme heat.

Meet the Commission

The National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health comprises business leaders with broad functional expertise as well as thought leaders across science, medicine and health policy, including:

Senator Bill Frist, MD, Co-Chair

Former Majority Leader, U.S. Senate; Partner,

Frist Cressey Ventures

Susan Potter, Co-Chair

President,

Mercer U.S. and Canada

Dr. Georges Benjamin

Executive Director,

American Public Health Association

Mollyann Brodie

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director Public Opinion and Survey Research,

KFF

Dr. Brian Castrucci

President and CEO,

de Beaumont Foundation

Gary Cohen

President and Co-Founder,

Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth

Dr. Howard Frumkin

Professor Emeritus,

University of Washington

Jane Gilbert

Chief Heat Officer,

Miami-Dade County

Dr. J. Nadine Gracia

President and CEO,

Trust for America’s Health

Dr. Pam Hymel

Chief Medical Officer,

Disney Parks & Experiences

Dr. Vanessa Kerry

Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization; Co-Founder and CEO,

Seed Global Health

Abner Mason

Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer,

GroundGame.Health

Hakon Mattson

Chief Sustainability Officer,

Elevance Health

Linda McHugh

Executive Vice President, Chief Experience & People Officer,

Hackensack Meridian Health

Dr. David Michaels

Former Assistant Secretary of Labor and OSHA Director; Professor,

George Washington University School of Public Health

Dr. Ranit Mishori

Chief Health and Safety Officer,

The World Bank Group

Dr. Judy Monroe

President & CEO,

CDC Foundation

Dr. Lisa Patel

Executive Director,

Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health

Dr. Adam Seidner

Chief Medical Officer,

The Hartford

Lawrence Sloan

Chief Executive Officer,

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

Dr. Sohini Stone

Chief Medical Officer for Global Employee Health,

Google

Dr. Tanisha Taylor

ACOEM President

Senior Medical Director, RWJBH Employee Health Services

Upcoming Events

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Stay Informed

Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on the Commission’s latest initiatives, insights and recommendations.

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The National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health will innovate solutions to mitigate climate-related health risks.

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Raise awareness of extreme weather threats to employee health
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Quantify financial risk and forecast climate-related health costs
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Develop recommended actions for mitigating health risks
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Foster peer-learning communities to share strategies and experiences
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Promote innovative solutions to climate-related health impacts
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Our Partners

The National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health was created by the Health Action Alliance in partnership with Mercer and with strategic input from the CDC Foundation. Additional support for the initiative is being provided by Elevance Health and The Hartford.
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Connect With the Commission

Interested in getting involved with the Commission or learning about sponsorship opportunities?
Please reach out to climate@healthaction.org.

Contact us