We Have a Common Enemy

And it will kill us if we let it

How we got here

Climate change is often perceived by the majority of the public as simply an environmental threat, a social issue, or a political problem.

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Largely overlooked is that climate change impacts health, including cancer incidence, care delivery and outcomes.

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Why Involve Oncologists?

• Cancer is a scary word
• Cancer touches everyone
• We, as oncology professionals, are trusted messengers

Why OUCH-I?

• By and large, oncologists are not aware of the problem
• Oncologists are not addressing the problem
• Oncologists are part of the problem

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OUCH-I

There are many professional cancer societies with different agendas and responsibilities to their membership, but OUCH-I is the only cancer-orientated professional organization dedicated exclusively to addressing the intersection of climate change and cancer

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Our history

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• Started in 2020 by three oncologists

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• Decided to not join other health and climate organizations, since oncology was such a special need

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• Expanded to a membership of about 150 members representing 27 states and 23 different countries, including six oncology professional societies.

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OUCH-I

Mission statement

Advance awareness, actions and policies that mitigate the effects of climate change on human health, cancer incidence and outcomes

Goals

Educate our peers, policy makers and public about the effects of climate change on cancer care and outcomes

Advocate for policies for sustainable health care

Advocate and promote actionable steps in climate mitigation, advocacy, and research

What we do

• Educate our peers, policy makers, and the public by speaking at professional meetings, medical events, civic engagements
•  Testify before local, state, and federal US organizations and legislatures
• Speak out and advocate: letters to the editor and policymakers, signing of petitions and letters, speaking at civic engagements, presenting data at educational events
• Publish articles, editorials, reviews and letter-to-the editor in peer-reviewed journals and society newsletters
• Advocate for greening of the healthcare system
• Interact and advocate with other health or oncology professional societies and organizations
• Serve as trusted experts to policy makers, legislatures, health care and community organizations, the media, the public, and other stakeholders

Since our founding in 2020, we have...

• Worked with
• ASCO to join the Medical Society Consortium for Climate and Health
• ASCO to develop a position paper
• IASLC to develop a white paper
• Presented at an educational session at World Conference on Lung Cancer in 2022
• Will be presenting World Conference on Lung Cancer in 2024

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Since our founding in 2020, we have...

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• Authored more than 37 manuscripts, op-eds, abstracts, etc.(as of 2022)

• Testified or supported more than 14 initiatives in the US

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• Presented at 24 local, national, or international meetings

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• Developed a Website: @Climate for cancer.org

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• In the US, have become an official non-profit 501c3 organization

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Current initiatives

• Monthly meetings with guest speakers
• Monthly newsletters (please join: OUCH's climate & cancer sign-on.  )
• Open letter for policy makers (please sign! Open Letter to policymakers)
• Working with professional cancer organizations to
• Provide educational sessions
• OUCH-I booths at their annual meetings
• Develop a coordinated global presence (there is strength in numbers)
• Website: @ouchforclimate.org

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OUCH-International: Goals? Mission? Activities?��Joan’s thoughts (which may or may not be relevant)�

• Strength in numbers: Develop a common message that all oncologists and oncology health organizations can embrace

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OUCH-International: Goals? Mission? Activities?��Joan’s thoughts (which may or may not be relevant)�

• Strength in numbers: Develop a common message that all oncologists and oncology health organizations can embrace

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OUCH-International: Goals? Mission? Activities?��Joan’s thoughts (which may or may not be relevant)�

• Strength in numbers: Develop a common message that all oncologists and oncology health organizations can embrace
• Use the power of our international membership when communicating with our peers, policy-makers, and the public
• Support educational efforts: provide material for talks
• Participate in international events: COPP29, etc

Every word has consequences. �Every silence, too

Jean Paul Sarte

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”

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Margaret Mead

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Link : OUCH's climate & cancer sign-on 

joanhschiller@gmail.com

@Joan_Schiller

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