APPENDIX F
SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS BY TOPIC

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND MORTALITY

1. What risk factors are associated with increased vulnerability to extreme heat events?
2. How can public health systems improve heatwave early warning systems?
3. What are the most effective community-based interventions to reduce heat-related morbidity and mortality?
4. How does urban infrastructure contribute to heat risk, and what changes can mitigate these effects?
5. What role does public education play in preventing heat-related health issues?

HEALTH IMPACTS OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS (E.G., HURRICANES, FLOODS, DROUGHTS)

1. How do specific vulnerable groups, such as low-income communities, older adults, children, racial and ethnic minorities, and Indigenous populations, experience the health impacts of extreme weather events?
2. How can surveillance systems be improved to accurately track health outcomes related to extreme weather events across different demographics?
3. How can predictive models improve the forecasting of health outcomes associated with extreme weather events?
4. How can the resilience of infrastructure in vulnerable communities be enhanced to better withstand and recover from extreme weather events?
5. What are the best practices for ensuring health care facilities, transportation networks, and housing remain operational during and after disasters?

WATER SANITATION AND WATER-BORNE DISEASES

1. What are the specific health impacts of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related issues exacerbated by climate change? How can we better quantify the burden of waterborne diseases in the context of changing environmental conditions?
2. What community-based adaptation strategies can be developed to enhance WASH resilience in vulnerable populations?
3. How can we integrate climate change considerations into existing public health and water management policies?
4. How can policies be designed to ensure equitable access to clean water and sanitation in the face of climate change?
5. How does climate change influence the incidence of water-borne diseases? How do specific climate variables (temperature, precipitation, extreme weather) affect the prevalence and distribution of waterborne pathogens?
6. How can real-time systems for monitoring water quality and detecting pathogens be improved?
7. What are the most effective interventions to improve water quality in vulnerable areas?
8. What community-based strategies can improve water quality and reduce disease risks?
9. How can health systems prepare for and respond to outbreaks of water-borne diseases?
10. What are the best practices for public education on water hygiene in the context of climate change?

AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH

1. What are the health impacts of long-term exposure to varying levels of air pollutants?
2. How can air quality monitoring systems be improved to better track pollution levels and health outcomes in real time?
3. How can we quantify the long-term health burdens associated with poor air quality, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic conditions?
4. What are the most effective interventions to reduce air pollution and mitigate its health impacts in the context of a changing climate?
5. How can urban planning and green infrastructure be optimized to improve air quality?

6. How can existing air quality regulations be strengthened to address the challenges posed by climate change?

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES

1. How will climate change impact the geographical distribution of vector-borne diseases?
2. How can we improve the tracking and prediction of vector populations and disease outbreaks in response to climate change?
3. What are the most effective strategies for vector control in changing climates?
4. How can early warning systems be developed to predict outbreaks?
5. What role do community-based interventions play in preventing vector-borne diseases?

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

1. How do specific climate variables (temperature, precipitation) affect crop yields and nutritional quality?
2. What adaptive agricultural practices can mitigate these impacts?
3. How can nutritional interventions be integrated into climate adaptation plans?
4. What policies are needed to support sustainable and resilient food systems?
5. Which populations are most at risk of food insecurity due to climate change, and how can they be protected? What social, economic, and policy measures can enhance food security for these groups?
6. What role can community-based initiatives play in enhancing local food resilience and security?

CLIMATE MIGRATION AND HEALTH CHALLENGES

1. What are the health impacts of climate-induced migration on displaced populations?
2. How can health care systems adapt to meet the needs of climate migrants?
3. What are the best practices for integrating health services into disaster response and recovery efforts?
4. How can policies be designed to address the health needs of climate migrants?
5. What investments are necessary to build resilient health care and public health infrastructure capable of managing increased demand?

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

1. How does climate change–related stress vary across different populations?
2. What mental health interventions are most effective in addressing climate-related stress and anxiety?
3. How can community resilience programs incorporate mental health support?
4. What role does public education play in mitigating the psychological impacts of climate change?

EPIGENETIC EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HEALTH

1. How do specific climate-related environmental stressors induce epigenetic modifications at the molecular level?
2. What are the biological pathways through which these changes influence health outcomes?
3. What specific environmental stressors related to climate change cause epigenetic changes?
4. How do these epigenetic changes manifest in different populations and age groups?
5. What are the potential long-term health consequences of climate-induced epigenetic changes?
6. How can preventive measures be developed to mitigate the epigenetic impacts of climate change?

RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECOSYSTEM

1. How can interdisciplinary research on climate and health be promoted and supported?
2. What are the key challenges and opportunities in conducting longitudinal studies on climate change and health impacts?
3. How can collaborations with social sciences and economics enhance climate-health research?
4. What research infrastructure is needed to support comprehensive studies on climate and health?

RESEARCH AND DATA INFRASTRUCTURE

1. What are the most significant data gaps in climate and health research, and how can they be addressed?

2. How can research capacity be built in vulnerable communities to support local climate-health studies?
3. What strategies are effective for improving data collection and analysis in resource-limited settings?
4. How can vulnerable communities be empowered to participate in and benefit from climate-health research?
5. Identification of Vulnerable Populations
   1. How can advanced data analytics and geospatial technologies be used to accurately identify and map vulnerable populations?
   2. What are the key indicators that define vulnerability to climate change impacts in different contexts?

HARNESSING NEW TECHNOLOGIES

1. How can AI be leveraged to improve predictive models for climate-related health risks?
2. What are the best practices for integrating AI and modeling into climate-health research?
3. How can new technologies be used to enhance data collection and analysis in climate-health studies?
4. What ethical considerations need to be addressed in using AI and modeling for climate-health research?

CLIMATE-SAVVY WORKFORCE

1. What are the most effective training programs for health care professionals on climate-related health issues?
2. How can public health infrastructure be strengthened to better respond to climate-related health challenges?
3. What strategies are effective for building research capacity in low- and middle-income countries?
4. How can international collaboration be enhanced to support capacity building in climate-health research?

GENDER-RESPONSIVE HEALTH INTERVENTIONS

1. What specific health impacts of climate change disproportionately affect women, particularly in low-income and rural areas?

2. How can health interventions be designed to address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of women in the face of climate change?
3. What are the best practices for promoting gender equity in climate-health initiatives?