Why NICHe?
NICHe, Neurologists Interested in Climate and Health, was formed in April 2023 with the mission to promote brain health by increasing awareness of the neurological disease associations with climate change and air pollution, and what neurologists can do about it. We also seek to connect across differences and provide tools to neurologists who wish to communicate about climate change to their patients, colleagues, trainees, legislators and other policy leaders, and the public.
Air pollution is associated with neurological damage including stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels is also the main driver of climate change which can affect brain health in multiple ways. Both air pollution and climate change need our urgent attention as they cause serious and growing neurological problems which are modifiable through advocacy, education, and research.
What We Do
We engage neurologists and neurological organizations to:
- Recognize the contribution air pollution and climate change to present and future neurological disease.
- Become aware of the actions that neurologists can take to reduce these harms.
- Include this information in medical education and training, and in our communications and meetings.
- Advocate and conduct research on the epidemiology, mechanisms and potential interventions for neurological problems associated with climate change and air pollution.
- Communicate about climate change to patients, colleagues, legislators and other policy leaders, and the public.
NICHe 