​Welcome to MOCCA

​Missouri Clinicians for Climate Action is a network of health professionals, both individuals and organizations, interested in actively responding to and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. We are open to all types of health professionals including public and environmental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, allied healthcare fields, veterinarians, and alternative health practitioners, retire or actively working. Climate change affects everyone. We believe that it is our collective duty as health care professionals to take immediate action to address the major healthcare concerns through climate action and conversations with our patients and communities to promote environmental health.

Climate Change Is A Public Health Emergency

​As healthcare professionals, it is our duty to use our voices to advocate, educate, and protect the health of people and the planet against the impact of climate change across different sectors that are interrelated.

​Extreme Weather​

Extreme weather including heavy storms, hurricanes, droughts, and tornadoes are expected to rise as our climate continues to warm. These events can damage infrastructure, agriculture, contaminate water sources, and have major economic consequence to our communities.

Heatwaves

Extreme heat leads to exhaustion, heat cramps, heat strokes, and other heat related deaths. People with chronic heart and lung illnesses are the most at risk as higher temperatures decreases air quality. 

Air Quality 

Increase ground level ozone due to air pollution can impact our respiratory health, increase hospitalizations for heart and lung disease, and even premature death. 

Water Quality 

Warmer weather can alter aquatic ecosystems by promoting algae bloom. It can also set the stage for heavy rainfall and floods which can bring in toxic contaminants that can impact our food and water supply. 

Vector- borne Disease

Warmer weather creates a favorable environment for vectors like mosquitoes and ticks to expand geographically and infect humans, pets, livestock, and other species. 

Allergies

Rising temperatures can increase hospital admission for asthma and allergies due to the longer allergy seasons and poor air quality. 

Mental Health

The impacts of extreme weather events that is associated with climate change impair our mental health by increasing anxiety, stress, depression, as well as other chronic and severe mental health disorders.

Equity 

Climate change disproportionately affects specific populations. Families who live in poverty, communities of color, and those who live in the inner city are most impacted by the effects of climate change. 

​Are you a Healthcare Professional working in Missouri and are passionate about Climate and Health?  

​Please take some time till fill out our interest form, sign up to be added on our mailing list, and subscribe to our newsletter.

In affiliation with the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health