What is Climate Medicine?
Climate Medicine = Climate-Aware Health Professionals
Climate Medicine is a critical new approach to educate and prepare health professionals, hospitals, communities, and governments for the impacts of climate change on human health.
WHY IS CLIMATE MEDICINE SO IMPORTANT?
This is a new climate-centric approach that integrates earth sciences, energy policy and broader climate and socio-economc considerations into health care providers' professional practice.
THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS A HEALTH CRISIS
Healthcare professionals are training worldwide to approach healthcare through a climate-centric lens
For example: When a patient presents with asthma exacerbations, the climate-informed health professional considers the air quality, heat index, wildfires in the region, and the patient’s social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities when determining appropriate treatment.
Four Pillars of Climate Medicine
Patient
Education
Evaluation and education of patients through a broad climate-centric lens to inform treatment and research
Hospital Sustainability
Partnerships with hospitals to promote best sustainability practices and reduce carbon emissions
National Climate
Policy and Education
Participation in national conferences and preceptorship programs with federal agencies and NGOs
Global Climate
Policy and Education
Participation in global conferences, engagement in research, and education of health professionals
Why do we need Climate Medicine?
According to the CDC
'Climate change, together with other natural and human-made health stressors, influences human health and disease in numerous ways. Some existing health threats will intensify and new health threats will emerge. Not everyone is equally at risk. Important considerations include age, economic resources, and location.'
According to the WHO
'Climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity'.
