Doctors and researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus published a discussion paper today highlighting key initiatives to help strengthen, train and prepare doctors and health care workers for the impact of climate change on human health. The paper is published in the National Academy of Medicine Perspectives . The authors, who come from a diverse background in health care from pediatrics to emergency medicine , and nursing to pharmacy, outline the importance of educating a climate-savvy health care workforce and highlight educational opportunities to fulfill the critical need.
"As climate change increasingly exacerbates disease and health crises, it's crucial that health professional education evolves to address this pressing issue. Currently, there is a significant gap in understanding how environmental changes impact health, and how health systems can adapt and lead in this area," said Jay Lemery, MD, professor of emergency medicine and director of the Climate and Health Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Lemery and his colleague Bhargavi Chekuri, MD, launched a first-of-its-kind Diploma in Climate Medicine Program to advance health professional leadership and expertise in addressing the health consequences of global warming.
Chekuri, who is also an assistant professor of family medicine at the CU School of Medicine, now directs the program. In today's paper, the co-authors outline best practices from examples of climate-focuse.
