Climate change and global health: a conversation with Dr. Peter Hotez
Over half of the world’s infectious diseases are being worsened by climate change. Extreme weather events, changes in temperature and precipitation, altered migration patterns of animals and humans and expansion of the range of vectors (like mosquitos) that carry disease, are all rapidly increasing threats to human health.
Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine (NSTM) and professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, will discuss climate change and its growing impact on human health on Saturday, May 3, as part of Baylor’s Alumni Reunion. Dr. Hotez will discuss how climate change is reshaping the world and how tropical medicine will have a growing significance as certain diseases start spreading into new regions.
He will detail the current issues, from the increased frequency and severity of pandemics to the expanding reach of diseases like Chagas, hookworm, schistosomiasis, dengue, Zika and oropouche fever, as well as speak to the undeniable effects of these illnesses on human health. He also will explain the role of the NSTM, whose training initiatives, research, vaccine development and diagnostic efforts aim to combat the world’s looming health threats.
The NSTM at Baylor College of Medicine is one of the first of its kind in North America devoted to the neglected diseases that disproportionately afflict “the bottom billion,” the world’s poorest people who live below the World Bank poverty level. The NSTM addresses neglected infections in the U.S. by establishing tropical disease clinics and training programs as well as providing specialized travel clinics at Baylor Clinic for those visiting endemic regions. Its research efforts help drive comprehensive research and development for next-generation drugs, diagnostics and vaccines targeting neglected tropical diseases and infections of poverty. Additionally, the NSTM has partnered with the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development to pioneer vaccine development through the NSTM’s Product Development Partnership. The NSTM also has collaborated with Rice University to influence public policy on tropical infections and combat antivaccine and anti-science misinformation.
After his session, Dr. Hotez will be available to answer questions and sign copies of his latest book, “The Deadly Rise of Anti-science: A Scientist’s Warning.”
Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from this leading voice in infectious diseases. Register for the 2025 Alumni Reunion to attend this exclusive session.
