Program Overview
The CHANGES Center is an interdisciplinary research initiative based in New Mexico, dedicated to understanding and addressing the health impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters. Our work brings together experts in geographic information science, health data science, epidemiology, and biomedical research to uncover how events like wildfires, extreme heat, and severe storms affect community health – particularly in rural and Indigenous populations. Through two research cores, a community engagement core, and a robust data infrastructure, we develop tools and strategies that help clinicians, educators, and policymakers forecast health risks and strengthen community resilience. Our ultimate goal is to advance health outcomes by ensuring that the communities most vulnerable to environmental hazards have the data, resources, and support they need to protect their health and well-being.
Our Vision
Synergize expertise in geographic information science, health data science, epidemiology, and biomedical research to identify – and ultimately predict – gaps in health care, inform policies, and create actionable strategies to optimally protect communities in New Mexico from weather-related events and disasters.
Research Focus Areas
Extreme Weather, Natural Disasters and Impacts on Health Systems
Leveraging GIS technology and health data to assess climate-related disaster risks, forecast health outcomes, and build resilience in rural and underserved New Mexico communities.
Linking Wildfire Smoke to Cancer
Examining how long-term exposure to wildfire smoke affects cancer risk and survival, using advanced air quality data linked to population-level health records..
Community Engagement & Health Outcomes
Partnering with local communities, clinicians, and stakeholders to translate research findings into culturally responsive, actionable strategies for extreme weather preparedness and health protection.
Program Goals
- Synthesize and integrate datasets and leverage cutting-edge tools for geospatial analysis to geographically connect exposure and health outcomes data to discover previously unseen patterns.
- Develop culturally responsive practices for community engagement in health and extreme weather responses that benefit local communities, effected populations, and key stakeholders.
- Establish a robust transdisciplinary Health and Extreme Weather Center that serves as a model for cross-campus team science and environmental interventions that maximize human health outcomes.
Program Structure
Our P20 program is organized into complementary research cores and supporting units designed to facilitate collaboration and maximize research impact.
Research Core 1
Extreme Weather, Natural Disasters and Impacts on Health Systems. Developing a GIS-based risk assessment system to identify climate-sensitive health indicators and project health outcomes, with a focus on rural and underserved New Mexico communities.
Research Core 2
Linking Wildfire Smoke to Cancer. Connecting advanced air quality data with cancer incidence and survival records to evaluate how repeated wildfire smoke exposure contributes to long-term cancer risk and outcomes.
Community Engagement Core (CEC)
Fosters communication and collaboration among diverse stakeholders on extreme weather and health. Using community-based participatory research principles, the CEC builds local capacity, cultivates partnerships, and ensures research findings are shared through culturally responsive, science-based messaging that supports individual and community decision-making.
Data Core (DC)
Provides the data infrastructure and IT services that power all research cores, including geospatial data processing, health data integration, analytics, and technical support to enable cutting-edge environmental health research
Funding & Support
This program is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through grant funding that enables our research initiatives and supports our team members. We are committed to responsible stewardship of these resources and transparency in our research activities.