Views of health professionals on climate change and health: a multinational survey study

BACKGROUND The impact of climate change on health, adaptation measures and health co-benefits of mitigation have not been taught as topics in conventional face-to-face courses, such as in stand-alone, accredited short courses or as modules in Masters or PhD-level courses. Educational technologies such as massive open online courses (MOOCs) have high potential to substantially accelerate the dissemination of knowledge on the nexus of climate change and health. We developed three MOOCs teaching on the link between climate change and health. OBJECTIVE We conducted an online survey study to evaluate instructor-to-learner interaction (ITI), instructor support (IS), instructor feedback (IF), learner-to-learner interaction (LLI), course content (CC), course structure (CS), information delivery technology (IDT), perceived effectiveness (PE), learner retention (LR), as well as self-reported learner retention (SRLR). What did participants learn? Who and how many registered from the global North and South? What was the completion rate and how does it compare to average completion rates of MOOCs? What is the impact of knowledge acquired? METHODS Participants of all three MOOCs were invited to a post online survey study or the three climate change and health MOOCs. The survey consisted mainly out of no/yes/other and free text questions, as well as five five-point Likert items. We collected demographic information about education, age, gender, country of origin and current place of living. RESULTS In total, the MOOCs had a reach of almost 7000 students worldwide. 188 students took part in the online survey, with the highest percentage of MOOC-survey participants from low-income countries. The MOOCs were seen as useful, especially with regards to their professional impact, their coverage of content and their up-to-dateness in the topic area of climate change and health. The francophone MOOC was found to have an extraordinarily high number of participants from lower-income- and low-and-middle-income countries. The primary motivation to join the MOOC was to gain knowledge and skills on the topic of climate change and health. CONCLUSIONS Health is a top priority for citizens worldwide, and our results show that (i) globally there is great interest in the topic of climate change and health and (ii) that the three MOOCs were adequate to teach a global and diverse audience in this topic, reaching even participants from resource-low countries. Therefore, MOOCs should be included in the discussion on how to disseminate knowledge and methodological expertise globally, as they are an effective mean to explain and teach about the complex links and dynamics between climate change and health.

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Australian health professionals' statement on climate change and health

The Lancet ◽

10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32610-2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 392 (10160) ◽

pp. 2169-2170 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kerry Arabena ◽

Fiona Armstrong ◽

Helen Berry ◽

Peter Brooks ◽

Tony Capon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Australian Health ◽

Climate Change And Health

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Health professionals in a changing climate: protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024451 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. e024451 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lianping Yang ◽

Chaojie Liu ◽

Jeremy Hess ◽

Dung Phung ◽

Cunrui Huang

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Research Policy ◽

Critical Role ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Significant Health ◽

Climate Change And Health

IntroductionClimate change will impose significant health impacts. Although we know health professionals should play a critical role in protecting human health from climate change, their preparedness to engage with these issues worldwide is unclear. This study aims to map the range and nature of existing evidence regarding health professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices regarding climate change and health impacts and the challenges they face, and identify knowledge gaps to guide future development of research, policy and practices.Methods and analysisWe will perform a scoping review based on the six-stage framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. Our study includes peer-reviewed literature focusing on any aspect of health professionals’ work regarding climate change and health since 2002 and indexed in MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus or Embase. Identified papers will be described and assessed. Thematic analysis will be applied to evaluate and categorise the study findings.Implications and disseminationThis is the first scoping review of health professionals’ activities to anticipate and prepare for health impacts attributable to climate change. It will provide evidence regarding the current situations worldwide and gaps in preparedness. The findings can be used to highlight accomplishments to date, identify gaps and further develop good practices for health professionals’ engagement. The results will be published in the peer-reviewed literature and shared at health professional society meetings.

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Climate Change and Health – Concrete Steps for Physicians and Health Professionals

Canadian Journal of General Internal Medicine ◽

10.22374/cjgim.v11i4.187 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Yidan Lu MDCM, FRCPC

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Global Warming ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Role Models ◽

Meat Consumption ◽

Active Role ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Patient Level ◽

Climate Change And Health

Climate change poses a great threat to global health in the 21st century. Physicians and health care professionals can take an active role to limit the health impacts of global warming. We must educate ourselves on the health repercussions of climate change, act as role models in our community, and actively promote health at the patient level by encouraging active transport such as walking and biking, and reduced red meat consumption, both of which are health co-benefits in the fight against global warming.

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Climate change and health: time for action!

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

L Marrauld ◽

M Cucchi ◽

E Lainey ◽

A Depoux

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Large Scale ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Human Populations ◽

Health Issues ◽

Tackle Climate Change ◽

Climate Change And Health

Abstract Issue For several weeks, prophylactic messages against the extension of Covid-19 have saturated the public space. To protect populations, efficient measures have been rapidly put to limit the movement of people and manufactured goods. These policies have reduced global greenhouse gas emissions as well as air pollution, especially in China. Problem If climate change were an epidemic, we would probably have already restored it. But it results directly from the thermo-industrial activities linked to the consumption society. For Friel (Lancet, 2020), the dramatic consequences of this disturbances have to be considered as an essential health issue. She advocates for 'climate change and health alliances'. Results Within such alliances, health professionals have the responsibility (1) to describe the morbidity inherent in our thermo-industrial societies (2) to alert populations, and (3) to work with allies to tackle climate change and protect human populations, starting with the most vulnerable. This type of alliance is underway in the battle against air pollution, as it has been for years for fighting smoking. Alliances are intended to extend to all population health issues, with a complete decompartmentalization of minds and practices at large scale. Lessons Health professionals have to be mindful not to cause any harm while practicing. The health system alone produces up to 8% of global greenhouse gas in developed countries (Pichler, 2019; HCWH, 2019). There is room for action. Since 2009, the British health care system (NHS) has adopted an efficient decarbonation policy, reducing global emission from 8 to 4%, but this outstanding initiative remains an exception worldwide. Key messages A review of public health strategies is necessary to meet the energy, environmental and health issues, both in terms of health risks due to climate change and of decarbonation of care activities. Health professionals have the responsibility to alert populations and to work with allies to tackle climate change and protect human populations.

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A Demonstration: Making a Presentation About Climate Change and Health

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e521612014-059 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Ed Maibach

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change And Health

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Development and usability testing of an educational mobile learning app for climate change and health impacts

Turkish Journal of Biochemistry ◽

10.1515/tjb-2020-0350 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Elif Aydoğan ◽

Ali Derya Atik ◽

Ergin Şafak Dikmen ◽

Figen Erkoç

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

User Behavior ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Mobile App ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Health Providers ◽

Learning Context ◽

Smart Learning Environment ◽

Post Test ◽

Climate Change And Health

Abstract Objective Mobile applications, social media platforms are changing Internet user behavior; creating a new era of education in a connected world. We have previously reported training needs of health providers in the climate change. Aim is to develop and test an Android® Mobile app as an effective smart learning environment for climate change health impacts. Materials and methods The quasi-experimental design method was used in five phases: easy-to-reach, rich content Mobile app design and development for Android® operating system, scale development, finalizing scales to be used, implementation, data collection, analysis. Dependent t-test of pre-test and post-test awareness scores was analyzed. Usability and satisfaction were assessed with two scales; quantitative data with descriptive statistics. Results The developed Mobile app was effective in enhancing students’ learning experience, and well-received in terms of adopting and using such technology for educational purposes. Pre-test and post-test scores different statistically (p<0.05); increasing participants’ awareness level and were satisfied. Conclusion We conclude that our Mobile app, m-learning project, is successfully incorporated into the learning context; when tested, raised awareness about climate change and health effects for the public. To our knowledge, no currently existing tool to provide new mobile application for climate change education and promote awareness exists.

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Climate Change and Health Preparedness in Africa: Analysing Trends in Six African Countries

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094672 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4672

Author(s):

Samuel Kwasi Opoku ◽

Walter Leal Filho ◽

Fudjumdjum Hubert ◽

Oluwabunmi Adejumo

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

South Africa ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Systems ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Problems ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Basic Knowledge ◽

African Countries

Climate change is a global problem, which affects the various geographical regions at different levels. It is also associated with a wide range of human health problems, which pose a burden to health systems, especially in regions such as Africa. Indeed, across the African continent public health systems are under severe pressure, partly due to their fragile socioeconomic conditions. This paper reports on a cross-sectional study in six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Kenya) aimed at assessing their vulnerabilities to climate change, focusing on its impacts on human health. The study evaluated the levels of information, knowledge, and perceptions of public health professionals. It also examined the health systems’ preparedness to cope with these health hazards, the available resources, and those needed to build resilience to the country’s vulnerable population, as perceived by health professionals. The results revealed that 63.1% of the total respondents reported that climate change had been extensively experienced in the past years, while 32% claimed that the sampled countries had experienced them to some extent. Nigerian respondents recorded the highest levels (67.7%), followed by Kenya with 66.6%. South Africa had the lowest level of impact as perceived by the respondents (50.0%) when compared with the other sampled countries. All respondents from Ghana and Namibia reported that health problems caused by climate change are common in the two countries. As perceived by the health professionals, the inadequate resources reiterate the need for infrastructural resources, medical equipment, emergency response resources, and technical support. The study’s recommendations include the need to improve current policies at all levels (i.e., national, regional, and local) on climate change and public health and to strengthen health professionals’ skills. Improving the basic knowledge of health institutions to better respond to a changing climate is also recommended. The study provides valuable insights which may be helpful to other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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13.D. Workshop: SDGs in the focus of environmental and health issues

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.648 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

◽

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Community Engagement ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Issues ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

The World ◽

Environmental And Health Issues ◽

The Impact

Abstract This workshop is dedicated on SDGs in the focus of environmental and health issues, as very important and actual topic. One of the characteristics of today's societies is the significant availability of modern technologies. Over 5 billion (about 67%) people have a cellphone today. More than 4.5 billion people worldwide use the Internet, close to 60% of the total population. At the same time, one third of the people in the world does not have access to safe drinking water and half of the population does not have access to safe sanitation. The WHO at UN warns of severe inequalities in access to water and hygiene. Air, essential to life, is a leading risk due to ubiquitous pollution and contributes to the global disease burden (7 million deaths per year). Air pollution is a consequence of traffic and industry, but also of demographic trends and other human activities. Food availability reflects global inequality, famine eradication being one of the SDGs. The WHO warns of the urgency. As technology progresses, social inequality grows, the gap widens, and the environment continues to suffer. Furthermore, the social environment in societies is “ruffled” and does not appear to be beneficial toward well-being. New inequalities are emerging in the availability of technology, climate change, education. The achievement reports on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also point out to the need of reviewing individual indicators. According to the Sustainable Development Agenda, one of the goals is to reduce inequalities, and environmental health is faced by several specific goals. The Global Burden of Disease is the most comprehensive effort to date to measure epidemiological levels and trends worldwide. It is the product of a global research collaborative and quantifies the impact of hundreds of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in countries around the world. This workshop will also discuss Urban Health as a Complex System in the light of SDGs. Climate Change, Public Health impacts and the role of the new digital technologies is also important topic which is contributing to SDG3, improving health, to SDG4, allowing to provide distance health education at relatively low cost and to SDG 13, by reducing the CO2 footprint. Community Engagement can both empower vulnerable populations (so reducing inequalities) and identify the prior environmental issues to be addressed. The aim was to search for public health programs using Community Engagement tools in healthy environment building towards achievement of SDGs. Key messages Health professionals are involved in the overall process of transformation necessary to achieve the SDGs. Health professionals should be proactive and contribute to the transformation leading to better health for the environment, and thus for the human population.

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Sustainable healthcare – Time for ‘Green Podiatry’

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research ◽

10.1186/s13047-021-00483-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Angela Margaret Evans

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Allied Health ◽

World Health ◽

Main Body ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Foot Health

Abstract Background Healthcare aims to promote good health and yet demonstrably contributes to climate change, which is purported to be ‘the biggest global health threat of the 21st century’. This is happening now, with healthcare as an industry representing 4.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Main body Climate change promotes health deficits from many angles; however, primarily it is the use of fossil fuels which increases atmospheric carbon dioxide (also nitrous oxide, and methane). These greenhouse gases prevent the earth from cooling, resulting in the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, which then cause ‘wild weather’ patterns, including floods, storms, and droughts. Particular vulnerability is afforded to those already health compromised (older people, pregnant women, children, wider health co-morbidities) as well as populations closer to equatorial zones, which encompasses many low-and-middle-income-countries. The paradox here, is that poorer nations by spending less on healthcare, have lower carbon emissions from health-related activity, and yet will suffer most from global warming effects, with scant resources to off-set the increasing health care needs. Global recognition has forged the Paris agreement, the United Nations sustainable developments goals, and the World Health Organisation climate change action plan. It is agreed that most healthcare impact comes from consumption of energy and resources, and the production of greenhouse gases into the environment. Many professional associations of medicine and allied health professionals are advocating for their members to lead on environmental sustainability; the Australian Podiatry Association is incorporating climate change into its strategic direction. Conclusion Podiatrists, as allied health professionals, have wide community engagement, and hence, can model positive environmental practices, which may be effective in changing wider community behaviours, as occurred last century when doctors stopped smoking. As foot health consumers, our patients are increasingly likely to expect more sustainable practices and products, including ‘green footwear’ options. Green Podiatry, as a part of sustainable healthcare, directs us to be responsible energy and product consumers, and reduce our workplace emissions.

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