![Kids and families playing in water fountains in city plaza](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2026-03/AdobeStock_367099949.jpeg?itok=LwMbr_48) 

 



 

#  Three Resources for Mayors: The Environment and Public Health 

 





April 16, 2025

 

 

This page is a resource for mayors and city leaders looking to combat extreme heat, poor air quality, and lead in their cities. Published in conjunction with the African-American Mayors Association (AAMA) 11th annual conference, this page provides resources from [the Community Data Health Initiative](/about-community-data-health-initiative) (CDHI).

CDHI helps cities take action on local environmental harms, through a partnership between the Data-Smart City Solutions program at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, AAMA, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Meharry Medical College.

Also - check out the [Top 12 AAMA Cities to Watch on Environmental Health](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7448008381077921792/)!



 

 

 

Mayoral Action Hub

### Combatting Extreme Heat 

 

This Hub provides tailored resources for mayors looking to combat extreme heat, based on three years' worth of insights and research from the Community Data Health Initiative and cohort cities. Modeled after the Starter Guide for mayors, the Hub gathers detailed, actionable strategies while emphasizing the importance of coordinated cross-agency planning and targeted protections for vulnerable populations.



 [ Visit the Heat Action Hub arrow\_circle\_right ](/heat-action-hub) 

 



      ![](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/datasmart/files/kevin-grieve-yruwdzuxs4m-unsplash.jpg?itok=atedt40R) 

 

 

  

 



A Starter Guide for Mayors

### Improving Poor Air Quality 

 

This memo highlights the health, economic, and equity harms of air pollution and outlines how city leaders can take action. It makes a strong case for bold local leadership, with practical steps to cut emissions, protect residents, and close equity gaps. Learn how to pinpoint pollution sources, improve monitoring, and partner with communities to build cleaner, healthier, and more resilient cities.



 [ Read the memo arrow\_circle\_right ](/addressing-air-pollution-your-cities) 

 



      ![](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/datasmart/files/andrew-wolff-hmjhjgbsozo-unsplash.jpg?itok=9OQ_4XNf) 

 

 

  

 



Mayoral Roadmap

### Addressing Lead Pipes 

 

Published by EDF and the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide helps mayors and other city leaders replace lead pipes in their cities. The Roadmap includes helpful resources for each step, including checklists, case studies, and example ordinances. An estimated 9 million homes and businesses across the U.S. still get their water from lead pipes, which is especially dangerous to children as well as older adults; there is no safe level of lead exposure.



 [ Visit the Lead Innovation Hub arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.leadinnovationhub.org/mayors/) 

 



      ![](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/datasmart/files/noah-0bevb_y_jwy-unsplash.jpg?itok=R8jCV9m9) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  Want to learn more? 

The Community Data Health Initiative serves to expand cities' capacity to take on environmental challenges that directly affect people’s health, by partnering with mayors and city staff to turn local data, community insights, and cross-sector partnerships into targeted solutions in neighborhoods facing the greatest environmental health risks.



 

 



 [ Discover CDHI's work arrow\_circle\_right ](https://datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/about-community-data-health-initiative) 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Environment ](/topics/environment)
- [ Equity ](/topics/equity)
- [ Public Health ](/topics/public-health)
 
 

 Share on:- [     Facebook ](#)
- [     Twitter ](#)
- [     Linkedin ](#)