Introduction: The health effects of climate change
become increasingly apparent with each passing year. Climate change is now
considered “the greatest threat to human health in the 21st century”
by the World Health Organization. To increase awareness of this growing public
health concern, a Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC) was completed for the
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (UCCOM). UCCOM received an overall
grade of D with a curriculum score of F. Considering these findings, a novel
Climate, Health, and Equity curriculum was proposed and developed by medical
students to teach about the health effects of climate change and environmental
degradation during the M1 and M2 years.
Methods: Topics to
be included in the Climate, Health, and Equity curriculum were identified using
the findings of the PHRC. 12 major topics were identified: Extreme Weather, Infectious
Disease, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health, Mental Health and Environmental
Degradation, Reproductive Health, Carbon Footprint of Healthcare, Sustainable
Health Practices, Water Quality, Food and Water Insecurity, Diet and the
Environment, Environmental Justice, and relevant Patient Scenarios. Slide decks
were created to educate students on how climate change impacts heath in the
areas outlined above and exacerbates inequalities in social determinants of
health.
Results: To date,
the Climate, Health, and Equity curriculum has been implemented into the M2 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary
and Renal/GI blocks, as well as the M1 Physician and Society course. Over
subsequent months, the remaining topics will be integrated into other blocks. It
is estimated that inclusion of these 12 major topics in medical student education
will improve UCCOM’s curriculum score on the PHRC from an F to a B, which will
raise our overall score from a D- to a C.
Conclusions: Climate
change poses a growing threat to public health at the local, national, and
global levels. The Climate, Health, and Equity curriculum is part of an
evolving effort by students to better prepare their peers for a future
healthcare landscape that will be drastically influenced by climate change. As
this endeavor continues, any students or faculty members that are interested in
this work are encouraged to reach out to the Medical Student Sustainability
Club for more information or to get involved.