VIDEO: Climate change gives nephrologists a chance to ‘reimagine health care’
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Key takeaways:
- Underserved populations may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
- More knowledge may help patients and providers stay equipped for climate change.
BALTIMORE — It has become increasingly important for nephrologists to understand the intersection between climate change, health and poverty, according to a presenter at the Renal Physicians Association Annual Meeting.
“Climate change is impacting all of us, but some people more than others. ... Why are some people more impacted? We know based on so many histories of where people live, where they work and their access to money and power, [that it] makes them unable to really avoid pollution, makes them unable to get their medications, makes them unable to eat the proper diet and makes them sicker,” Cheryl Holder, MD, an internist and executive director of the Florida Clinicians For Climate Action, told Healio. “Those same populations are the group that cannot handle the warming planet and all the stressors and challenges that come with it.”
Holder said while climate change presents challenges, it also comes with an opportunity to “reimagine health care” in ways that provide accesses to vulnerable communities. With more knowledge of how climate change impacts underserved communities in kidney care, patients and providers may be more equipped to handle ongoing threats, Holder said.
“I want every doctor to understand how important this climate change is,” Holder said. “It is threatening our existence, not just in the U.S., but globally, and the people who are most impacted have a lot of information to share ... and with that information, we will make the world better for all of us.”
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