A Fulbright Scholar grant will take Dr. Jonathan Patz, director of the Global Health Institute (GHI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to Ethiopia to work on issues involving livable cities, climate change and health during the spring semester of his 2014-2015 sabbatical. He will spend the fall and winter in Geneva, Switzerland, where he will holds joint appointments with the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies and the University of Geneva. He will also work with the World Health Organization (WHO) on climate and health issues. Dr. Christopher Olsen, a professor of public health in the School of Veterinary Medicine and GHI associate director for One Health, will serve as acting director, beginning immediately. He most recently finished his tenure as vice provost for teaching and learning.
Health/climate work tops agenda
“The timing is incredible,” says Patz, who also holds joint appointments in the Nelson Institute and the School of Medicine and Public Health.
“This is a key year for climate change issues. My 20 years in studying health effects of climate change will be immediately put to use.”—Jonathan Patz
In Geneva, Patz’ work will focus on the cross-sector benefits of a low-carbon economy, as he teaches and works with WHO in advance of the 2015 United Nations meetings in Paris to negotiate new climate treaties among the world’s nations. The Paris treaties will replace the expiring Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Patz begins his sabbatical with a WHO summit on climate change and health in Geneva, and then returns to New York, where he is co-lead for the Sept. 22 “Action in Climate Change and Health,” a recognized side event to the United Nations Climate Summit in New York. UW-Madison’s GHI, Nelson Institute, Office of Sustainability and Wisconsin Energy Institute are co-hosting organizations for the event that will bring international leaders together to address the impacts of climate change on health. “Public health is central to the climate change issues, not only because of the risks but for the opportunities a low-carbon economy presents,” Patz says. Those opportunities include designing livable cities, promoting active transport and reducing air pollution, all of which benefit the environment and health.
“Addressing climate change is a golden opportunity for global health.”—Jonathan Patz
Ethiopia committed to sustainability
In Ethiopia, Patz will work with Bahir Dar University’s master’s in public health program, teaching courses on climate change and health. He and Jason Vargo, an assistant scientist with GHI and the Nelson Institute, will continue their work on healthy urban design, especially addressing issues of active transport and physical fitness.
Ethiopia in unique in its commitment to a climate resilient, green economy, Patz says. He will meet with government officials to help advance the initiative. “The Fulbright allows me to fully engage in working with a low-income country,” Patz says. “It connects me to the U.S. Embassy and, therefore, my work can be amplified through the parallel activities of the U.S. government. The grant also provides salary support to spend an extended period in that country.” Patz also will visit several other Ethiopian projects that involve partners from across the UW-Madison campus. Those projects are varied and include developing microgrids for rural electricity, reducing air pollution and improving health care and medical education. “UW-Madison recognizes the importance of working and collaborating at the global level,” Patz says. “My sabbatical is an opportunity to engage in global environmental health policy at the international level and in the developing world where some of our greatest opportunities may lie as cities develop and infrastructure is built. Effort there can have huge payoffs down the road as far as sustainable public health.” The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The program is primarily funded through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Global Health Institute is committed to a new global health ethic that addresses the interlinked root causes of health and disease and advances health for today while ensuring resources are available to provide health for all tomorrow. To learn more or to make a gift, visit ghi.wisc.edu. By Ann Grauvogl/ August 19, 2014