Climate Change and Neurosurgical Patients: Stories of Impact and Resilience
Climate Change and Neurosurgery: How Climate-Related Changes Impact Patient Care
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a public health crisis that is affecting various aspects of our lives, including healthcare. In the field of neurosurgery, we are seeing firsthand how climate-related changes are impacting patient care and outcomes.
Take, for example, the case of a young mother with multiple sclerosis (MS) who found herself facing a new reality of disability due to her worsening symptoms exacerbated by heat waves. Or the construction worker who lost his vision due to atherosclerosis caused by long-term exposure to air pollution from fossil fuel burning processes. These are just a few examples of how climate change is directly impacting the health of individuals and leading to the need for neurosurgical interventions.
The increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, extreme weather events, and air pollution due to fossil fuel combustion are all contributing to the worsening health outcomes of patients with neurological conditions. MS patients, in particular, are more susceptible to heat stress-induced exacerbations of their symptoms, leading to increased disability and the need for interventions like spinal cord pumps to manage spasticity.
Similarly, the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health of individuals is being compromised by the air pollution caused by fossil fuel combustion. The particulate matter released into the air penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to atherosclerosis, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases that require neurosurgical interventions to treat.
As neurosurgeons, we are on the front lines of treating these climate-related health issues, but we cannot do it alone. It is essential for us to engage in climate solutions, communicate with patients, colleagues, and policymakers, and advocate for systemic changes that will protect the health of our patients.
The impact of climate change on neurosurgery is just one example of how this global crisis is affecting healthcare across all specialties. By raising awareness, taking action, and advocating for change, we can work towards a healthier future for all. Let’s start the conversation and make a difference in the fight against climate change.
About the Author:
Rebecca Achey, MD is a neurosurgery resident and a Climate and Health Science Policy Fellow at the University of Colorado. She is passionate about addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on cerebrovascular diseases in vulnerable communities and is actively working to bring awareness to this critical issue.
References:
– Mukherji, A. et al. SYNTHESIS REPORT OF THE IPCC SIXTH ASSESSMENT REPORT (AR6).
– Chacko, G., Patel, S., Galor, A. & Kumar, N. Heat Exposure and Multiple Sclerosis—A Regional and Temporal Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. Health 18, 5962 (2021).
– Louis, S. et al. Impacts of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Neurologic Health, Disease, and Practice: A Scoping Review. Neurology 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201630 (2022) doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000201630.
– Manisalidis, I., Stavropoulou, E., Stavropoulos, A. & Bezirtzoglou, E. Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review. Front. Public Health 8, 14 (2020).
– Park, S., Allen, R. J. & Lim, C. H. A likely increase in fine particulate matter and premature mortality under future climate change. Air Qual. Atmosphere Health 13, 143–151 (2020).
Let’s continue the conversation and work together to address the impact of climate change on neurosurgery and healthcare as a whole. Together, we can make a difference and protect the health of our patients in a changing climate.