Housing has a fundamental role in protecting people’s health, yet climate-related hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, and poor air quality are increasing health risks for many communities around the world. ComDisp (Community-Centered Modeling of Housing-Related Health Disparities) seeks to better understand these connections by evaluating how different climate scenarios may affect respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, with particular attention to vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, and low-income communities.
ComDisp is one of the projects funded under the Climate, Environment, and Health (CEH2) Collaborative Research Action (CRA) of the Belmont Forum. The project brings together researchers, communities, policymakers, and health organizations to better understand and address housing-related health disparities in the context of a changing climate.
Co-Developing Local Solutions
The consortium conducts community-centered research across case study locations in the United States, Vietnam, Turkey, and Ecuador, with additional collaboration from partners in the United Kingdom and Norway.
At the heart of ComDisp is a collaborative, grassroots approach that recognizes local communities as essential partners in climate-health research. Local governments, health organizations, and climate advocates work alongside researchers to design place-based strategies that respond to the specific challenges faced by each community.
By combining scientific evidence with local knowledge, the project aims to co-develop practical, locally relevant solutions that reduce health disparities and strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards.
Building Knowledge for Future Action
Beyond its research activities, ComDisp is investing in capacity-building and knowledge exchange. The project supports the training and mentoring of early career researchers and students while fostering collaboration among practitioners, scientists, and policymakers.
Through shared resources, knowledge co-production, and international collaboration, ComDisp helps strengthen decision-making and contributes to healthier, more resilient communities prepared to face future environmental and public health challenges.