Health Care Without Harm

Climate change, fueled by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is a major threat to human health and demands immediate and decisive action. The effects of climate change directly harm the health of patients cared for by pulmonary, sleep, and critical care health professionals while putting healthcare delivery at risk. Ironically, the healthcare sector itself contributes to GHG emissions. In 2024, an American Thoracic Society workshop convened an international work group of adult and pediatric pulmonologists, intensivists, nurses, researchers, educators, healthcare administrators, and healthcare advocates to identify strategies to decrease pulmonary, sleep, critical care, and research laboratory-related emissions; improve quality; and support sustainability. The workshop prioritized strategies with the highest probability of reducing healthcare sector emissions significantly and urgently while considering the short- and long-term impacts of mitigation strategies on safe healthcare delivery and unintended adverse effects on vulnerable populations. Interventions were identified on micro (individual provider), meso (healthcare organization), and macro (regulatory/government/policy) levels. As trusted voices, health professionals and their professional societies are uniquely positioned to advocate for systemic change, ensuring that healthcare not only adapts to the challenges of climate change but also actively contributes to solutions that promote a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Continued engagement by the health community is needed to ensure climate action is commensurate with the scale of the threat, argue these authors

In the face of climate change, women's preconceived vulnerability and virtuousness often deflect focus from gender inequality in decision-making and leadership. Within environmental, political, and social crises, women are capable and proficient leaders who are pivotal to climate change action and are already inspiring social change in innovative ways. This article presents examples of women-led environment movements in the Asia-Pacific that challenge the patriarchal notions that women must be rescued rather than actively participate in their salvation. Historically, strategies have been centered on eco-conscious activism and organized protests. As climate change effects become more evident, engagement has transformed into emergency response and preparedness, with women's groups shepherding and leveraging through healthcare settings and grassroots and community networks. The way forward is to urge meaningful policy actions to support women as effective planetary stewards and campaigners against environmental challenges. This will be achieved through funding mechanisms, gender-inclusive representation mentorships, and pathways that transcend political boundaries.

The gains from healthcare are often undermined by the sector’s contributions to social inequity and environmental damage, but it doesn’t have to be that way argue Damon Francis and colleagues

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, is a chemical used to soften rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Medical devices made of flexible PVC, such as intravenous (IV) bags and tubing, contain DEHP to make them pliable and soft. Animal studies show that exposure to DEHP can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system, particularly the developing testes of prenatal and neonatal males. Because of this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Public Health Notification on PVC devices containing DEHP, urging health care providers to use DEHP-free devices for certain vulnerable patients. Many hospitals and health systems have successfully transitioned away from use of DEHP, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).