The Center for Disaster Resilient Communities is offering ENVH 408, “Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience and Population Health,” during spring quarter 2026. This one-credit course will be graded credit/no credit and will meet on Wednesdays from 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. in Health Sciences Education Building Room 145 on the University of Washington Seattle campus. This seminar series will examine current research, policy and practice issues related to disaster risk reduction and resilience. Through a series of guest lectures by leading experts,…
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Outstanding PhD student studies how to keep low-income renters safe during and after disasters
Amber Khan, the University of Washington 2025 Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences’ Outstanding PhD Student, focuses her studies on protecting low-income renters during and after disasters. Her research specifically addresses the intersection of the housing and climate crises, particularly how public housing residents are often overlooked in emergency planning. Khan partnered with the National Low Income Housing Coalition to assess state emergency plans and found they largely neglect the needs of low-income renters. Her dissertation offers a roadmap…
Understanding extreme heat preparedness and response across the United States
Extreme heat events (EHEs) are the deadliest weather hazards in the U.S., and local health jurisdictions (LHJs) play a critical role in responding to them. A new study from the University of Washington used focus groups with LHJ representatives to identify key factors influencing EHE preparedness and response. The research team identified four major influences: local conditions, community engagement and tailored strategies, partnerships and available resources. Participants emphasized the need for scalable resources, improved data access and stronger collaboration across…