We spend countless, valuable hours discussing with our patients the health-influencing issues of stress, sleep, tobacco use, drugs, alcohol, diet, and physical activity. We know that certain recommendations and guidelines can reduce our patients’ risk of disease and improve their quality of life. Ideally, we do our best to take our own advice.
There is another aspect of health that we as healers and role models of a healthy lifestyle can and should consider — our environment, the places where we live, learn, work, and play.
We know that any threat to (or disruption of) access to clean air, clean water, and safe food, or the introduction of toxic substances into our environment, can adversely affect health.
As my colleague Amy Collins, MD, points out in
“Green Your Practice While Cutting Costs: Why and How to Get Started,” the health care industry is a major source of environmental pollution. This pollution — which includes greenhouse gas emissions and hospital waste — takes a serious toll on human health. Health care professionals have a part to play in minimizing the harmful effects of health care delivery.
When physicians and our colleagues become cognizant of the impact of health care on our environment and health outcomes, we can reduce that impact. Engaged, committed leadership is essential in driving “climate-smart health care.” At the same time, physicians as individuals are vital messengers and advocates for reducing and mitigating the environmental risks to human health.
This issue of Vital Signs provides proven, actionable steps to improve our practices and our lives, so that we may contribute more broadly to the improved health of the world we share and everyone in it.
— Alain A. Chaoui, MD
