“Climate Change Crisis: How Physicians Can Protect Public Health”
Climate change has been declared a public health crisis by the American Medical Association (AMA) at their 2022 annual meeting. The impact of climate change on health is already evident, with patients experiencing adverse effects such as heat-related injuries, vector-borne diseases, air pollution from wildfires, worsening seasonal allergies, and storm-related illnesses and injuries. The main drivers of climate change, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are human activities such as burning fossil fuels like gas, coal, and oil.
The direct and indirect effects of climate change on human health are significant. Rising global temperatures lead to an increase in severe weather events like storms, floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, resulting in injuries, starvation, heat stroke, burns, disrupted water quality, food availability, and air pollution. Currently, there are over 800 active wildfires in Canada and more than 200 in the United States, causing serious air pollution with toxic gases and fine particulate matter that can harm the lungs and cardiovascular system.
One example of the impact of climate change on health is the increase in mosquito populations following heavy rainfall and flooding. Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria are on the rise, with the last outbreak in the United States occurring in 2003. However, as of July 2023, there have been 8 confirmed locally acquired cases of malaria, signaling a potential increase in such diseases due to climate change.
In addition to physical health effects, climate change also affects mental health. Climate grief, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among individuals experiencing natural disasters like floods and wildfires. Studies have shown that communities affected by wildfires and heavy smoke exposure have increased rates of anxiety and depressive disorders due to elevated air pollution levels.
Physicians play a crucial role in addressing the health effects of climate change. They need to educate themselves on how climate change impacts health, consider environmental changes in diagnoses, and be prepared to discuss climate change with patients. By incorporating brief educational messages, asking permission to discuss controversial topics, emphasizing consequences to the patient, acknowledging difficulties associated with changes, and being open to different approaches, physicians can effectively communicate health risks to patients.
Physicians can also advocate for change by volunteering in the community, giving talks on weather-related health events, supporting environmental initiatives, and encouraging eco-friendly transportation. Small changes can have a significant impact, and by educating patients and taking action, physicians can help mitigate the effects of climate change on health.
In conclusion, climate change is a widespread, rapid, and intensifying issue that requires immediate attention. Physicians must be prepared to address the health effects of climate change, educate their patients, and advocate for change to ensure positive outcomes for both individual and public health.