Engaging Medical Health Professionals �in the Fight for Climate Solutions�
Mona Sarfaty, MD MPH FAAFP
Founder Emeritus
Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
Center for Climate Change Communication
George Mason University, Virginia
� www.medsocietiesforclimatehealth; @docsforclimate
My Disclosures
Outline
2007 UN IPCC Report
Jefferson MC – Chronic disease/Pub Hlth
Philly an EPA clean air non attainment zone !
What was health impact on U.S. population with chronic conditions ?
Joined Center for Climate Change Communication at GMU, VA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
My story: a Philadelphia decade (2003-2013)
Q: Were physicians seeing evidence?
Climate and Health is the Focus
Americans, especially conservative Americans, trust their primary care doctors
as a source of information about global warming
Growth was the initial goal
Communication Strategy, Continued
Other Essentials
Physicians have Influence
Waiting Rooms
Reach Patients While They Wait: Posters/Brochures/Websites
Reach Patients While They Wait #2
*https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/advocacy-resources/patients/
Patient Care
Speak to Patients Directly: Just a few words can make a difference.
Why is this important?
% Who Discuss Global Warming at Least Occasionally (35%)
Even fewer (32%) say they hear about it in the media once per week. We have a major communications gap! Even though…….
Most Adults Think Global Warming is a Reality
Americans, especially conservative Americans, trust their primary care doctors
as a source of information about global warming
What Can We Do?
Simple Clear Messages Repeated Often by a Variety of Trusted Voices
Focus on Advocacy: sharing what we all need to know using crafted messages
https://www.climaterx.org/
Members represent health and hospital systems, clinicians, private payers, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, health care services, health professional education, academia, nonprofits, and federal government.
The work focuses on health care supply chain and infrastructure; health care delivery; health professional education and communication; and policy, financing, and metrics.
Evidence-based guidance for �effective communication campaigns:����Simple clear messages, �repeated often, �by a variety of trusted and caring voices.����
Source: Maibach et al (2023) Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
What Exactly Should We Say? Here is our Guidance.
Simple Clear Messages: 12 Words
Effective climate/health messages:
1. “It’s real, it’s us, experts agree, it’s bad.” Show health impacts
Top three: air pollution; food-borne diseases; extreme weather
2. “There is hope.” Identify policy solutions
Top two: clean energy; and improved community design
3. “Others care.” Affirm helpful social norms
"Most Americans agree that we want healthy communities and a healthy climate, [and many of us/but not enough of us] are taking action”
Solutions information has the most impact. This is true for conservatives and for liberals.
Source: Kotcher et al (2021) Journal of Climate Change and Health
It’s Real, It’s Us, Experts Agree, It’s Bad�It’s harming us through Heat, Rain/Storm, Pollen, Insects
Also through Wildfire Smoke and Ozone Smog
and Damaged Health Infrastructure
Health Promise Report
Five policy pathways to improve our climate�and our health*:��#1: Use clean, renewable energy + reduce energy waste�#2: Favor climate-smart foods, farms, and food systems �#3: Support clean and active transportation options�#4: Improve our buildings and homes�#5: Improve our community environments������The climate benefits of these policies take years �to accrue in small measures worldwide.
But the health benefits accrue very quickly and primarily
locally in the communities that take the actions. ���
*https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/latest-news/new-report-medical-promise-climate-solutions/
The Health Promise of 5 Accessible �Climate Solutions*
1.Clean Electricity Sources/Less waste cleaner air & water; stop exposing people to polluted air, and damaging atmosphere
2. Climate Smart Food/Food Systems plant-forward diets + climate-smart agriculture practices, plus reducing food loss/waste reduces emissions and increases access to healthier/safer foods
3. Clean/Active Transportation: public/shared transit, low-/no-emissions vehicles, + active approaches (walk, bike)-ALL reduce air pollution or healthier
4. Healthier Homes/Buildings insulate/retrofit buildings, efficient appliances, reduce emissions improve air in/out-doors +
5. Greener Communities with trees & parks increase activity, sociability, + bring cooler temps, reduce flooding, insulate, save $
Climate Solutions Can Help Prevent �Chronic Disease
Other Physician Roles: Hospitals and Med Ed�
Members represent health and hospital systems, clinicians, private payers, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, health care services, health professional education, academia, nonprofits, and federal government.
Health sector produces 8.5% of greenhouse gas emissions!
Reading brief statements about the eight health-harming
pathways of climate change…
…and who is most likely to be harmed…
Report source: Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health (2017)
Message test source: Kotcher et al (2018) GeoHealth
…increases people’s engagement with the issue, especially moderates and moderate conservatives.
� IRA Under Threat ?
IRA Features are Popular*
* EnergyInnovation.org
Questions?
www.medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org
Facebook/LinkedIn: Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
Twitter: @docsforclimate
#climateandhealth
Add on for those who are interested:�Calling out opponents to climate action �further strengthens the climate/health narrative
Which opponents?
Fossil fuel CEOs and their lobbyists
Some politicians
Fossil fuel CEOs and their lobbyists, and the politicians who are in their pockets*
What it accomplishes, and with whom?
It significantly strengthens policy support and the intention to advocate
It is most effective with Republicans and Independents, thus providing further evidence of the depolarizing effect of the climate/health narrative
Source: Kotcher et al (2023) Manuscript under development