Role of Health Professionals Regarding the Impact of Climate Change on Health—An Exploratory Review

Abstract

Health professionals are increasingly urged to act to protect individuals and populations against the negative effects of climate and environment change on health. However, the amount of evidence supporting initiatives to that end is unknown. We explored the literature examining the awareness, preparedness, and role of healthcare professionals to inform about the impact of climate change on health on the one hand, and literature about the effectiveness of interventions mediated by health professionals aiming at reducing the environmental impact of human activities on the other hand. We included 137 articles published between 2000 and 2020, mostly in general medical and nursing journals. The typical article was a perspective, commentary, or other special article aimed at alerting readers about the impact of climate and environment change on health. We identified 22 studies, of which only two reported interventions. Despite increasing efforts of health professionals to address climate and environment change and related health risks, health literature supporting such efforts remains scarce, and studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions are lacking. We need appropriate evidence to indicate which interventions should be prioritized, considering that the association of health issues with climate and environment change could constitute an effective lever for change.

Climate Change and Environmental Pollution Induced Risks on Children's Health: Are Pediatricians Prepared to Meet the Challenge?

“…Management of the health effects of climate change and environmental pollution will require a collective coordinated effort involving stakeholders at all levels, including sectors of government and civil society and a close collaboration between many academic disciplines. 45,46 Approximately two-thirds of all preventable ill health due to the environment occurs in children, as they are an especially vulnerable subpopulation due to their developing physiology and anticipated long-term exposure. 47 Therefore, pediatricians well trained in environmental health 48 should have a central role in the collective effort of tackling one of the biggest global health threats of the 21st century, taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty, exploring a wide range of alternatives to possibly harmful actions and increasing public participation in decision-making.…”

“…44 A review on the impact of climate change on health reports that only two previous studies have focused on how to change behaviors and habits of patients toward climate change. 44,45…”

Climate advocacy among Italian pediatric pulmonologists: A national survey on the effects of climate change on respiratory allergies

“…However, the evidence available on health professionals' knowledge and perception of the potential health effects of CC is limited and does not focus on pediatricians, whose role should be pivotal in correctly advising and educating their patients and families on CC issues as well as in training them on monitoring air quality in terms of pollen and pollution, to minimize exposure 10 . The health literature supporting the increasing efforts of health professionals to address CC and related health risks is also limited 12 …”

Food Composition Databases: Does It Matter to Human Health?

“…Today, food system sustainability is questioned to better address the SDGs, as are consumers' dietary shifts driven by environmental concerns [7]. The interconnection between public health and environmental issues is more and more acknowledged and translated into action [8], while FDBs' gaps have been noticed at the level of the environment-public health nexus [9]. Moreover, the strategic trend of using food by-products as ingredients in other foods (secondary raw materials) seems to be insufficiently addressed by existing FDB.…”