Your health in a changing climate

Redlands area residents are invited to attend “Your Health in a Changing Climate” on Wednesday, May 20, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Flores Community Center, where experts will discuss how climate change has become a growing public health risk and is already affecting health and wellbeing in San Bernardino County. The free public program is presented by ANCA’s Resilient Living program.

The event will feature public health experts from the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health who will discuss the growing health risks associated with rising temperatures, worsening air quality, extreme weather, and other climate-related challenges facing local communities.

The program will address important questions including:

• How is climate change already affecting health in our region?
• Who is most vulnerable and why?
• What are disease vectors and emerging climate-related health risks?
• How can medications be affected by extreme heat?
• What practical steps can individuals, families, and neighborhoods take to protect themselves?

“Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a health issue,” organizers said. “People are already experiencing the impacts in their daily lives, especially older adults, children, outdoor workers, and residents with chronic health conditions. This program is designed to help our community better understand the risks and build resilience together.”

Speakers include Bernadette Beltran, MPH, Healthy Communities Project Coordinator with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. Beltran has more than 25 years of experience advancing public health, health equity, climate resilience, and community wellbeing through cross-sector collaboration and systems change initiatives.

Also presenting will be Kimberly Smith, MPH, CHES, Health Education Specialist II with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. Smith specializes in health equity, community engagement, and integrating climate-informed strategies into public health practice.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact info@ancainlandempire.org.

ANCA is a Redlands-based nonprofit organization working to mobilize local communities to address climate change through education, practical action, and community resilience programs that help neighborhoods prepare for a changing future.