The global climate crisis continues to escalate, accompanied by increasing evidence of its threats to human health and by a small, but growing, chorus of calls for action from the healthcare field & medical education community. In honor of Climate Week at Penn, Perelman’s Healthcare Sustainability Group surveyed the med school on the question:
“As a future healthcare provider (or in general!), why is climate change important to you?”
The responses you see below illustrate that medical students at PSOM understand the urgency of addressing climate change within healthcare. We hope that this encourages continued institutional and curricular change at Perelman and at our future medical institutions.
“Climate change is inextricably tied to environmental justice. It is disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable of our patients, making it more and more difficult to be healthy.”
“Environmental homeostasis is essential for the health of the population at large.”
“Environmental racism impacts the health outcomes of my patients, and as a provider I have to account for this fact in my pre- and post-op care.”
“We need a world to live in. If we do not actively fight climate change, we will not have a world.”
“Specifically with regards to health care, our environment predisposes us to certain health issues. If our goal is to improve the health of our patients, we have an obligation to care about their environments as well.”
“A healthy Earth makes healthy patients!”
“Fighting climate change is fighting for health equity.”
“The health of our environment influences the health of our patients!”
“Climate change has a big effect on people’s health directly (heat strokes or hypothermia depending on extreme weather) and also through the effect of natural disasters that may become more common because of climate change. It also affects the health system indirectly by threatening resources or people’s homes. So, it’s important for healthcare providers to combat climate change for the good of their patient population.”
“It’s the biggest-scale human health threat, & we’re seeing the impacts already.”
“It will affect my patients.”
“It will affect everyone but not equally…. lower income communities will face the brunt of climate change both in terms of their health and in other ways.”
“We only have one planet. We need to take care of it for the future.”
“Climate change has major effects on human health. I feel like we need an international concerted effort to make efforts to reduce our impact on damaging the environment. My future patients will suffer the repercussions of climate change; thus, it matters to me to care about it.”
“Green spaces are a public health asset.”
“Health equity depends on climate equity.”
“Climate change will have direct consequences on the lives and health of my patients.”
“Because climate change and its causes detrimentally impact the health of those living in the changed environments; of those living near and around major sources of pollution; and adds a major stressor to those living in areas most directly impacted by climate change (e.g., those in the path of a hurricane/tornado, those without access to heat or air conditioning, etc.).”
“Because I am worried about the impacts of climate change (including population displacement, natural disasters, damage to homes, downstream effects of higher energy consumption for air-conditioning and heating due to erratic jet stream that could lead to higher likelihood of exposure to environmental toxins) on the health and well-being of patients and on society at large (which would in turn have downstream impacts on patients).”
“Climate change / environmental conditions impact patients unequally and contribute to health inequities that are important for providers to recognize.”
“The health of our world directly affects the health of humanity.”
“Climate change is a long-term existential threat which will change the way all people interact with each other. As medicine increases the ability of people to thrive worldwide, we need to balance that with sustainable resource use or find a way to substantially increase our resources.”
“Climate change worsens health disparities and puts many vulnerable populations at greater risk of diseases, food insecurity, housing insecurity, and more. Likewise, it will shape the future of society as global biodiversity and weather patterns and more are drastically damaged, and I am passionate about finding ways to mitigate that damage to people and to ecosystems so that the beauty of our planet is not destroyed.”
“It has spillover impact on population health and wellbeing. For instance, unprecedented heat waves or cold fronts have been seen to increase morbidity and mortality in the US, especially in disadvantaged communities.”
“I believe our obligation in this world is to leave it in a better condition than how we found it. Synonymous with the concept of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the world), which requires one to behave and act constructively and beneficially. This includes limiting our contribution to climate change.”
“Climate change should matter to everyone! Regardless of whether or not I am a healthcare provider.”
“Unique health issues will arise as global air quality worsens, temperatures rise, people are displaced from their homes due to rising sea levels.”
“Climate change has major effects on emerging and endemic infectious diseases that can increase the risk of pandemics. Beyond the effects of climate on health, healthcare itself unfortunately has a huge impact on the environment (e.g. disposable supplies, building air flow etc.).”
“Environmental health! Climate change impacts environment which is a social determinant of health. Less climate change = better environment = better health!”
“People in different parts of the world will get displaced and suffer from natural disasters/climate shifts. And those poor animals too!”
“Because the effects of climate change will impact people’s health.”
“Climate change will exacerbate health disparities and will have real impacts on all patients but particularly those who are already most medically vulnerable.”
“We all live on the planet and will be negatively impacted by the change.”
“It affects health of patients.”
“Climate change is intricately intertwined with the health and wellbeing of individuals and societies.”
“Climate change affects every aspect of our lives, including health. I feel sure that certain pathologies will be more common as climate change affects the world we live in – for instance, lung irritation from poor air quality (like we’re seeing with all the fires on the west coast right now).”
“The healthcare sector is a HUGE contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the US! We are part of the problem; we need to be part of the solution.
It is one of the biggest health risk multipliers & impacts nearly all dimensions of human health –& we are already seeing the effects, which are only projected to increase if we don’t take action!”
“It matters to me because the environment has been shown to affect the health of many patients, especially ones from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Climate change may widen this disparity and cause some patients to have worse outcomes by exacerbating their environmental conditions.”
“Climate change matters to me because I believe the migration of individuals fleeing uninhabitable areas due to drastic weather changes/devastation of land caused by climate change will cast an enormous burden on our existing resources and also lead to regional instability. As we experience greater effects from climate change and pollution in general, our overall health will decrease.”
“Climate change matters because the health of our environment is intimately intertwined with that of our patients.”
“The differential impact of climate change on communities exacerbate existing systemic inequities and must be rectified to address health disparities.”
“Our climate, our world, affects not only our health (and disproportionally impacts low-resource populations), but the health of ALL future generations.”
“Climate change matters to me because our health really depends on the health of the earth, especially when it comes to air quality! Also, the increase in natural disasters we are seeing right now (west coast wildfires) really illustrates how climate change can injure people and place further challenges on healthcare providers.”
“Because climate change magnifies and changes how diseases impact our patients!”
“It is important, more from the perspective of general planet stewardship that I would care about regardless of my profession. However, given the importance of doctors in society, I think that we will have the opportunity to be good role models when it comes to listening to scientific information and acting accordingly.”
“Caring for people and caring for the place they live go hand in hand!”
“Climate affects the health of my patients (especially those who are underserved) in a lot of ways. Poorer patients and Black/Latinx patients are likely to be in areas of increase pollution which affects health in all ways. Climate change affects food and water distribution. Climate change affects the direct health of patients re: breathing conditions, kidney stones, etc. It affects people’s ability to exercise. So, climate change matters to me as a healthcare provider because it affects health.”
“Climate change matters to me as a future healthcare provider because it will negatively impact my future patients’ health in numerous ways. Lack of access to clean water, poor air quality, increased risk of heat stroke – the list could go on and on. Furthermore, climate change will exacerbate the health disparities that are already present in our current healthcare system.
“The effects of climate change will impact the health of our future patients, and also health disparities will be widened by the effects of climate change.”
“Climate change will impact our quality of life.”
“We can think about how to make healthcare more sustainable in terms of the disposable things we use and the waste that is created by hospitals and research institutions.”
“It will negatively impact the physical, mental, and financial health of both me and my patients.”
“Climate change will have a massive impact on the health of the vast majority of humanity, so it is pivotal to future healthcare.”
“I always thought that the most significant positive impact that I could make in the world was impacting the health of individuals. That’s why I came into medicine. Now I’m realizing that the most significant positive impact that I could make in the world is impacting the environment because it is intrinsically integrated into every part of our lives—the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the land we live on—climate change has an overarching impact on our health and the disparities in health.”
“At the rate that our love of consumerism, our waste, our need for ease and comfort, and our lack of consideration for the impact on the environment progresses, there are going to be detrimental effects on the conditions that humans can live in. We’re already seeing the detrimental effects now. Wildfires in California with pollutants in the air that not only exacerbate the conditions of patients with respiratory problems, but also increase the risk of respiratory problems for healthy individuals. Lantern flies that are killing trees that bring us clean air and disturbing the natural species in our area. Increasing prevalence of pandemics, earthquakes, hurricanes.”
“Our understanding of climate change is no longer just about scientists on the news talking about melting ice in Antarctica and polar bears. Rather, it’s about diseases and the effects on human health. While polar bears should ideally be as important as the human population, we’re realizing now the proximity of climate change and how it affects every aspect of our health—from directly increasing the risk of diseases to affecting the social determinants of our health.”
“Climate change will affect the health of our population. Also, it’s an existential threat to humanity.”
“I care about the health of the people and all living beings on this planet!”
“Air quality, food and water availability, and the emergence of new diseases will impact all aspects of public health and medicine.”
“Climate change is very closely linked to human health and the social determinants of health.”
“As future healthcare providers we need to be cognizant of how the environment affects health!”
“Frankly, conserving the world we live in is a duty each one of us has as human beings.”
“Through increased exposure to smoke from forest fires and smog in large and polluted cities, climate change has already begun to cause significant respiratory illness across the world. This will inevitably lead to increased healthcare utilization. Additionally, it is our duty to protect at all costs our home for future generations.”
“The consequences of climate change affect my patients’ health. Changes in allergies, air pollution, rainfall, natural disasters, etc., all contribute to a person’s health and wellbeing.”
“Because environmental factors compound to affect my patients’ health.”
“Climate change does and will continue to affect the health of our loved ones. From poor air quality to the resulting natural disasters, climate change is an imminent and growing threat. Without actively mitigating its effects, we are bounds to see more death and injury to those around us, our animal neighbors, and our Mother Earth.”
“It affects the health of my patients and patients around the world! It impacts the economy and the future of our planet.”
“Because it’s justice!”
“Because it affects patient health!”
“Global health-minded physicians will need to learn how to provide healthcare in resource-limited areas affected by climate change, as well as in the context of increased exposures (i.e. heat stress, humidity) in certain areas.”
“Because it will disproportionately harm the most vulnerable of my patients.”
“Climate change can adversely impact the health of people living in areas affected (i.e. more flood, droughts, natural disasters, pests etc.).”
“Air quality, temperatures, and environmental disasters all can have serious consequences for people’s health.”
“Climate change is arguably the most dangerous threat to our health in the next 50-100 years.”
“Because of the importance for maintaining a livable environment with diverse flora and fauna, promoting good health, and preventing the natural disasters that result from climate change.”
“It will affect my future son/daughter and families.”
“It will affect biological structure in general.”
“Climate change is the single greatest threat to humans. In healthcare specifically, climate change disproportionately harms groups of less privilege. As future physicians, it is important for us to use our position to influence policy making.”
“The world is a better place with snow!”
“Climate change will exacerbate existing racial and health inequalities in multiple facets, including lack of green spaces, air pollution, and the presence of toxins in water supplies/infrastructure.”
“Climate change directly affects the health and well-being of patients, often those who are the most vulnerable!”
“Healthy planet = healthy people.”
“The health of our planet affects our own health!! So many environmental factors have huge impacts on patient health, especially chronic illnesses. For example, air pollution exacerbates asthma, unhealthy food options lead to obesity/hypertension/diabetes, and unclean water can cause poisoning. It’s important to understand such issues to diagnose treat and advocate for patients.”
“The Earth is our home! And the effects of climate change are dramatically impacting health, especially for those who can least afford it. These effects include asthma and other respiratory diseases, as well as exposures that can lead to cancer.”
“Climate change impacts health.”
“Climate change has already begun to impact health, including worsening existing diseases and introducing infectious diseases to previously unaffected locations. We must prepare for its inevitable impact on healthcare, including learning about climate change in medical school and beyond.”
“Climate change matters to me because it will disproportionately harm the medically underserved communities with which I hope to work.”
“Our health and wellbeing are directly related to the climate. We cannot ensure access to care, cures, or solutions unless we have a place to comfortably live in.”
“Our patients spend a very small fraction of their time within medical facilities. The rest of their life is spent out in their world. The health of our patients is therefore heavily influenced by the environment that they live in. Climate change is a major threat to the health of these patients. As physicians, we must advocate for change in the world that benefits the health of our patients. This change cannot exist solely within our medical institutions—it must stretch to the environments that our patients live in. That is why we must advocate for better practices to reduce climate change.”
“Climate change matters to me because it will impact the health and wellness of all people, especially those living in underserved communities. I believe a commitment to doing no harm also means a commitment to preventing the harm that can be caused by climate change.”
“The environment affects the health of all of us!”
“How am I doing my job if I’m not looking out for my patients’ health in all ways I can?”
“It directly affects population health.”
“It is a social determinant of health that impacts my patients’ health as well as the success of our therapies.”
“It is our collective responsibility as people to care for our environment, and reckless damage of the world is inherently wrong. The patients I take care of will, like everyone, have to deal with the consequences of our mistakes; if only for that, we can’t let climate change progress farther than it has.”
“The poor and marginalized will be especially impacted by climate change. It is unjust that they should suffer for our collective mistakes.”
“Because the status of our current climate will ultimately affect the future generations’ ability to live in a sustainable world.”
“It will be the biggest thing to affect the health and survival of future generations and of all life on earth, from plants to animals to humans.”
“Patient health is impacted by climate change.”
“It matters to me and the future patients I will treat. I want to practice tertiary surgery, but that won’t matter if there are incessant natural disasters and instability in the world.”
