As the world grapples with escalating temperatures and the health challenges associated with extreme heat events, free and charitable clinics can stand at the forefront of community readiness. They can act as advocates and bridges connecting patients with essential health-safety information, resources, and services. In this session, our climate experts and clinic representatives will provide an overview of the impacts of extreme heat on patients and clinic operations and give tangible examples of how to address challenges inside and outside of clinic walls.

It will describe a comprehensive Heat-Health Action Plan (HHAP), developed by Americares in collaboration with Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment (Harvard C-CHANGE) and a cohort of safety net clinics. The panel discussion will highlight potential interventions and an illustrative case study presented by Suzanne Roberts, CEO of Virginia B Andes Volunteer Clinic in Port Charlotte, Florida.