The system tracks places and times in the United States and neighboring regions when climate factors might enhance transmission of illnesses like Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya spread by species of Aedes mosquitoes.

The projects focus on linkages between climate and infectious diseases, heat and/or food systems and nutrition.

Climatic conditions and extreme events have substantial implications for human health and well-being around the world. CPO's International Research and Applications Project (IRAP), joined with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make research funding available to address key knowledge gaps, and advance the use of climate information and services in the reduction of climate-sensitive health risks through the Belmont Forum’s Collaborative Research Action on Climate, Environment and Health.

The project will help improve National Weather Service (NWS) messaging related to heat health in the U.S.-Mexico transboundary region, and could potentially be extended to other NWS activities beyond the area.

Held amid a dengue fever outbreak, Republic of the Marshall Islands Secretary of Health Jack Niedenthal noted during the event that climate impacts on health are not merely something the country needs to prepare for in the future – they are happening right now.