Pub Date : 2025-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100368
Judite Pinto , Nelson Cossa , Mara Ferrari , Patricia S. Coffey , Melanie Picolo , Tatiana Marrufo , Ana Paula Cardoso
Introduction
Mozambique is increasingly affected by extreme weather events and associated infectious disease outbreaks, highlighting a significant gap in knowledge on use of data to better inform health system preparedness and response.
Methods
In this qualitative study, we collected data from 29 key informants using customized semi-structured questionnaires. Data were then triangulated and analyzed using content and thematic methods.
Results
The National Institute of Meteorology is primarily responsible for producing and supplying weather data to the national health system (NHS). NHS has access only to weather data, and there is no specific platform or system for integrating weather or climate data and health data. Other notable barriers to sharing and using climate data include poor geographical coverage of the meteorological network and lack of systematic records on the impact of extreme events. Facilitating factors include multiple policies that mention the link between climate change and health, and the existence of health data management platforms and an early warning system piloted by the National Institute of Health.
Conclusion
Ongoing work to develop a health sector climate change adaptation plan and revitalize the Public Health Emergency Operations Center could be key to accelerating efforts to improve climate data use to inform infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response. Results from piloting of the early warning system could be used to advocate for climate data integration into the NHS to help in identifying the impact of climate change on health and designing effective plans to address climate-related infectious disease outbreaks.
{"title":"Integration and use of climate data by the national health system in Mozambique","authors":"Judite Pinto , Nelson Cossa , Mara Ferrari , Patricia S. Coffey , Melanie Picolo , Tatiana Marrufo , Ana Paula Cardoso","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100368","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100368","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Mozambique is increasingly affected by extreme weather events and associated infectious disease outbreaks, highlighting a significant gap in knowledge on use of data to better inform health system preparedness and response.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this qualitative study, we collected data from 29 key informants using customized semi-structured questionnaires. Data were then triangulated and analyzed using content and thematic methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The National Institute of Meteorology is primarily responsible for producing and supplying weather data to the national health system (NHS). NHS has access only to weather data, and there is no specific platform or system for integrating weather or climate data and health data. Other notable barriers to sharing and using climate data include poor geographical coverage of the meteorological network and lack of systematic records on the impact of extreme events. Facilitating factors include multiple policies that mention the link between climate change and health, and the existence of health data management platforms and an early warning system piloted by the National Institute of Health.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Ongoing work to develop a health sector climate change adaptation plan and revitalize the Public Health Emergency Operations Center could be key to accelerating efforts to improve climate data use to inform infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response. Results from piloting of the early warning system could be used to advocate for climate data integration into the NHS to help in identifying the impact of climate change on health and designing effective plans to address climate-related infectious disease outbreaks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100368"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143512653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100362
Maya Newman , Kelli A. Kokame , Carl Froilan D. Leochico , Alexandra E. Fogarty , Jason Burton , Adam S. Tenforde , Marcalee Alexander
Introduction
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians (physiatrists) care for patients with a variety of neurologic, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and sports-related conditions. These conditions can cause physical disabilities, cognitive, sensory, or other functional impairments, which make these patients susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe the existing literature at the intersection of climate change and PM&R practice, and to identify publication trends.
Methods
The search used electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies related to PM&R and climate change search terms published or in press between January 2008 to July 2023. Articles were reviewed for relevance to PM&R and climate change and were categorized into three groups: (1) Health effects of climate change, (2) PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, and (3) Other relevant points of interest.
Results
A total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one articles discussed the health effects of climate change on patients encountered in PM&R practice, with most describing the negative health impacts of air pollution and increased heat. There were 13 articles regarding PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, largely related to disaster preparedness or management, but also including methods for addressing heat illness, telemedicine, and a waste audit. There were four articles about other points of interest, including PM&R providers’ perceptions of climate change. Of all the included articles, there was one randomized controlled trial and the rest were observational in design. The number of studies published in the past 15 years has generally trended upwards, with the majority coming from North America.
Discussion
Climate change threatens to negatively affect the health and wellbeing of patients requiring PM&R service, and most physiatrists are concerned about this. While the number of studies has increased over the past 15 years, substantial research gaps remain in the nexus between PM&R and climate change, and several regions around the world are poorly represented in the literature. Further studies are needed to help patients with disabilities adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis.
{"title":"Climate change and health through the lens of physical medicine and rehabilitation: A scoping review","authors":"Maya Newman , Kelli A. Kokame , Carl Froilan D. Leochico , Alexandra E. Fogarty , Jason Burton , Adam S. Tenforde , Marcalee Alexander","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100362","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians (physiatrists) care for patients with a variety of neurologic, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and sports-related conditions. These conditions can cause physical disabilities, cognitive, sensory, or other functional impairments, which make these patients susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe the existing literature at the intersection of climate change and PM&R practice, and to identify publication trends.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The search used electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies related to PM&R and climate change search terms published or in press between January 2008 to July 2023. Articles were reviewed for relevance to PM&R and climate change and were categorized into three groups: (1) Health effects of climate change, (2) PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, and (3) Other relevant points of interest.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one articles discussed the health effects of climate change on patients encountered in PM&R practice, with most describing the negative health impacts of air pollution and increased heat. There were 13 articles regarding PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, largely related to disaster preparedness or management, but also including methods for addressing heat illness, telemedicine, and a waste audit. There were four articles about other points of interest, including PM&R providers’ perceptions of climate change. Of all the included articles, there was one randomized controlled trial and the rest were observational in design. The number of studies published in the past 15 years has generally trended upwards, with the majority coming from North America.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Climate change threatens to negatively affect the health and wellbeing of patients requiring PM&R service, and most physiatrists are concerned about this. While the number of studies has increased over the past 15 years, substantial research gaps remain in the nexus between PM&R and climate change, and several regions around the world are poorly represented in the literature. Further studies are needed to help patients with disabilities adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100362"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143512654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100417
Iris Martine Blom , Melvine Anyango Otieno , Susannah Mayhew , Neil Spicer , Andy Haines , Sarah Whitmee
Introduction
Kenya's healthcare system committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as part of the UNFCCC COP26 Health Program. To turn these ambitious commitments into outcomes and share learnings with other nations, a comprehensive assessment of the perspectives of key stakeholders likely to be involved in implementing the transition of the healthcare system is needed.
Methods
This study employs qualitative methods, including 21 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and a Delphi consensus process, to explore stakeholder perspectives on Kenya's journey to a net-zero healthcare system.
Results
Stakeholders identified and validated 14 process components crucial for this transformation, ranging from leadership and financing to behavioral change and monitoring. Critical barriers, such as infrastructure limitations, competing health priorities, financial constraints, and gaps in strategy coordination, were highlighted. Stakeholders ranked three interventions as the highest priority: implementing clean energy solutions in healthcare facilities, developing national sustainable healthcare policies that are informed by existing evidence on climate benefits, and generating localized data to guide actionable policies. Ranking interventions based on feasibility, however, produced different results that favored simpler, more immediately actionable measures like hospital vegetable gardens and the creation of guidelines for health facilities.
Conclusion
While the transition to net-zero poses challenges, stakeholders expressed optimism about the potential of current strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and the growing momentum for action on climate change and health. This research provides actionable insights and recommendations to guide Kenya's transition to a sustainable, resilient healthcare system, while offering valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges.
{"title":"Towards a net-zero healthcare system in Kenya: Stakeholder perspectives on opportunities, challenges and priorities","authors":"Iris Martine Blom , Melvine Anyango Otieno , Susannah Mayhew , Neil Spicer , Andy Haines , Sarah Whitmee","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Kenya's healthcare system committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as part of the UNFCCC COP26 Health Program. To turn these ambitious commitments into outcomes and share learnings with other nations, a comprehensive assessment of the perspectives of key stakeholders likely to be involved in implementing the transition of the healthcare system is needed.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employs qualitative methods, including 21 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and a Delphi consensus process, to explore stakeholder perspectives on Kenya's journey to a net-zero healthcare system.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Stakeholders identified and validated 14 process components crucial for this transformation, ranging from leadership and financing to behavioral change and monitoring. Critical barriers, such as infrastructure limitations, competing health priorities, financial constraints, and gaps in strategy coordination, were highlighted. Stakeholders ranked three interventions as the highest priority: implementing clean energy solutions in healthcare facilities, developing national sustainable healthcare policies that are informed by existing evidence on climate benefits, and generating localized data to guide actionable policies. Ranking interventions based on feasibility, however, produced different results that favored simpler, more immediately actionable measures like hospital vegetable gardens and the creation of guidelines for health facilities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>While the transition to net-zero poses challenges, stakeholders expressed optimism about the potential of current strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and the growing momentum for action on climate change and health. This research provides actionable insights and recommendations to guide Kenya's transition to a sustainable, resilient healthcare system, while offering valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100417"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143294565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Recent research has sought to understand the complex experiences of climate change distress, which are highly prevalent among youth and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, most studies have focused on acute climate disasters and clinically diagnosable psychological responses, leaving a gap in understanding about how gradual climate change events impact broader psychosocial health.
Methods
This review examined how slow-onset events relate to psychosocial distress among youth in climate-vulnerable LMICs using the PRISMA Rapid Review methodology. Four databases were searched, namely Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane.
Results
The initial search yielded 853 results, of which 14 articles met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analysis, which employed a framework synthesis approach. Studies identified direct impacts of slow onset events (e.g., changing precipitation patterns), as well as indirect impacts on communities (e.g., housing instability) and resources (e.g., loss of livestock). These disruptions are often compounded by pre-existing vulnerabilities such as public debt and inadequate basic services. Faced by these challenges, youth employed many coping strategies such as religion and meaning-focused coping, to help minimize psychosocial distress. Psychosocial responses varied from feelings of worry and numbness to severe outcomes like suicidal ideation.
Conclusion
This review reveals the diversified experiences of climate change, which are closely tied to social and community contexts. A robust research agenda on the psychosocial effects of slow-onset environmental changes is vital to better understand and mitigate its long-term mental health impact on youth.
{"title":"The psychosocial impacts of slow onset climate change events among youth in LMICs: A rapid evidence review","authors":"Clara Marty , Samy Amghar , Andrés Barrera Patlan , Alayne Adams","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100416","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Recent research has sought to understand the complex experiences of climate change distress, which are highly prevalent among youth and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, most studies have focused on acute climate disasters and clinically diagnosable psychological responses, leaving a gap in understanding about how gradual climate change events impact broader psychosocial health.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This review examined how slow-onset events relate to psychosocial distress among youth in climate-vulnerable LMICs using the PRISMA Rapid Review methodology. Four databases were searched, namely Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The initial search yielded 853 results, of which 14 articles met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analysis, which employed a framework synthesis approach. Studies identified direct impacts of slow onset events (e.g., changing precipitation patterns), as well as indirect impacts on communities (e.g., housing instability) and resources (e.g., loss of livestock). These disruptions are often compounded by pre-existing vulnerabilities such as public debt and inadequate basic services. Faced by these challenges, youth employed many coping strategies such as religion and meaning-focused coping, to help minimize psychosocial distress. Psychosocial responses varied from feelings of worry and numbness to severe outcomes like suicidal ideation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review reveals the diversified experiences of climate change, which are closely tied to social and community contexts. A robust research agenda on the psychosocial effects of slow-onset environmental changes is vital to better understand and mitigate its long-term mental health impact on youth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100416"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143156357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Climate change poses a major threat to public health, necessitating significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to limit its effects. The healthcare sector itself is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, particularly in high-income countries such as Canada and the United States. Providing medical learners with education on this topic has been identified as an important component of efforts to reduce GHG emissions; however, there is a lack of tools available both for providing education on healthcare sustainability, and for integrating this topic into postgraduate medical curricula.
Case Presentation
The Planetary Health Rounds are an educational initiative aimed at integrating climate change concepts and healthcare sustainability into the Internal Medicine residency curriculum, using a case-analysis format in conjunction with the open-source HealthcareLCA Database (https://healthcarelca.com/database), a living repository of data on healthcare-associated GHG emissions.
Methods
Learners conduct a case analysis of an internal medicine patient and estimate the total emissions associated with their admission, which they then present at an end-of-rotation teaching session, with discussions centering on the link between climate change and health as well as reducing emissions.
Discussion
The Planetary Health Rounds, implemented in 2023, have been well-received by trainee physicians despite some challenges having been encountered. These include service demands impacting participation, a lack of emissions data for internal medicine-related care, issues with the generalizability of said data, and consistent access to a planetary health expertise during rounds.
Conclusion
This initiative provides a novel way of incorporating teaching on climate change and health into postgraduate training curriculums.
{"title":"Planetary Health Rounds: A novel educational model for integrating healthcare sustainability education into postgraduate medical curricula","authors":"Tajdeep Brar , Jordana Compagnone , Sanjana Sudershan , Maryam Yunus , Loukman Ghouti , Allen Tran , Joffre Munro , Babar Haroon , Nabha Shetty","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Climate change poses a major threat to public health, necessitating significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to limit its effects. The healthcare sector itself is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, particularly in high-income countries such as Canada and the United States. Providing medical learners with education on this topic has been identified as an important component of efforts to reduce GHG emissions; however, there is a lack of tools available both for providing education on healthcare sustainability, and for integrating this topic into postgraduate medical curricula.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>The Planetary Health Rounds are an educational initiative aimed at integrating climate change concepts and healthcare sustainability into the Internal Medicine residency curriculum, using a case-analysis format in conjunction with the open-source HealthcareLCA Database (<span><span>https://healthcarelca.com/database</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>), a living repository of data on healthcare-associated GHG emissions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Learners conduct a case analysis of an internal medicine patient and estimate the total emissions associated with their admission, which they then present at an end-of-rotation teaching session, with discussions centering on the link between climate change and health as well as reducing emissions.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The Planetary Health Rounds, implemented in 2023, have been well-received by trainee physicians despite some challenges having been encountered. These include service demands impacting participation, a lack of emissions data for internal medicine-related care, issues with the generalizability of said data, and consistent access to a planetary health expertise during rounds.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This initiative provides a novel way of incorporating teaching on climate change and health into postgraduate training curriculums.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100412"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143156358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100413
Andreas Vilhelmsson , Ida Persson Cofina , Maria Wolodarski , Tobias Alfvén
Introduction
Although climate change has been consistently identified as one of the greatest threats to humans, many clinicians do not feel prepared to address climate change with patients and medical school curricula still have very little coverage of its health consequences. At the same time, health care providers have been shown to be trusted voices and are therefore well suited to help build the public and political necessary to enact policies that effectively address climate change and protect human health in equitable ways. Nevertheless, teaching climate, health and sustainable healthcare to medical colleagues, students and healthcare leaders can be challenging for various reasons. It is therefore essential to provide health care providers and leaders with the appropriate tools and communication skills to facilitate a more sustainable and greener healthcare.
Case presentation
In this case report, we describe how we developed a sustainability guide for clinicians with examples of how to reduce unnecessary environmental and climate impact, without compromising patient safety, highlighting potential co-benefits for public health, healthcare efficiency, financial aspects and to the occupational environment.
Discussion
The sustainability guide has been appreciated by medical specialties as a tool to illustrate concrete ways of working with sustainable healthcare in Sweden. It has also been used to introduce the field into the medical curriculum at Swedish universities and teach students in sustainability.
Conclusion
Our sustainability guide highlights the potential value of providing health care personnel and leaders with the appropriate tools and communication skills to facilitate a more sustainable and green healthcare.
{"title":"Developing a guide for sustainable healthcare practice: A case study from the Swedish Society of Medicine","authors":"Andreas Vilhelmsson , Ida Persson Cofina , Maria Wolodarski , Tobias Alfvén","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100413","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Although climate change has been consistently identified as one of the greatest threats to humans, many clinicians do not feel prepared to address climate change with patients and medical school curricula still have very little coverage of its health consequences. At the same time, health care providers have been shown to be trusted voices and are therefore well suited to help build the public and political necessary to enact policies that effectively address climate change and protect human health in equitable ways. Nevertheless, teaching climate, health and sustainable healthcare to medical colleagues, students and healthcare leaders can be challenging for various reasons. It is therefore essential to provide health care providers and leaders with the appropriate tools and communication skills to facilitate a more sustainable and greener healthcare.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>In this case report, we describe how we developed a sustainability guide for clinicians with examples of how to reduce unnecessary environmental and climate impact, without compromising patient safety, highlighting potential co-benefits for public health, healthcare efficiency, financial aspects and to the occupational environment.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The sustainability guide has been appreciated by medical specialties as a tool to illustrate concrete ways of working with sustainable healthcare in Sweden. It has also been used to introduce the field into the medical curriculum at Swedish universities and teach students in sustainability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our sustainability guide highlights the potential value of providing health care personnel and leaders with the appropriate tools and communication skills to facilitate a more sustainable and green healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100413"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143156359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100408
Jaime Butler-Dawson , Diana Jaramillo , Lyndsay Krisher , Karely Villarreal Hernandez , Laura Calvimontes , Miranda Dally , Yaqiang Li , Katherine A. James , Richard J. Johnson , Daniel Pilloni , Alex Cruz , Joshua Schaeffer , John Adgate , Lee S. Newman
Background
An increasing number of women are performing farm labor in agrarian societies due to the out-migration of men impacted by the effects of climate change. Thus, it is important to understand how changing climatic conditions affect women's risk of occupational heat stress and other health issues.
Methods
For this longitudinal pilot study, we characterized repeat individual-level particulate matter (PM5, aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 5 micrometers) and heat exposures and measured kidney function markers during workdays and rest days among female sugarcane workers in Guatemala. We used logistic mixed models with repeated measures to evaluate associations between kidney function and exposures.
Results
We observed that 45 % of the workers had reduced kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) during the study. Levels of dehydration based on a urinary specific gravity >1.020 (28 %), acidic urine (30 %), and low potassium levels (31 %) were common. Environmental exposures (PM5 and heat index) were significantly higher on workdays compared to rest days. Reduced kidney function was associated with increasing median heat index (odds ratio [OR]: 1.63, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–2.08), low urine pH (OR: 4.21, 95 % CI: 1.08–16.40), and municipal drinking water source (OR: 6.52, 95 % CI: 1.23–34.57).
Discussion
The results from this study suggest that repeated occupational exposure to high levels of heat contributes to a reduction in renal function among these workers.
Conclusions
These findings can inform preventive strategies to better address women's health in the workplace, such as reducing heat stress and dehydration.
{"title":"A work and off-work evaluation of female workers’ heat and particulate matter exposures and kidney health in Guatemala","authors":"Jaime Butler-Dawson , Diana Jaramillo , Lyndsay Krisher , Karely Villarreal Hernandez , Laura Calvimontes , Miranda Dally , Yaqiang Li , Katherine A. James , Richard J. Johnson , Daniel Pilloni , Alex Cruz , Joshua Schaeffer , John Adgate , Lee S. Newman","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>An increasing number of women are performing farm labor in agrarian societies due to the out-migration of men impacted by the effects of climate change. Thus, it is important to understand how changing climatic conditions affect women's risk of occupational heat stress and other health issues.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>For this longitudinal pilot study, we characterized repeat individual-level particulate matter (PM<sub>5</sub>, aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 5 micrometers) and heat exposures and measured kidney function markers during workdays and rest days among female sugarcane workers in Guatemala. We used logistic mixed models with repeated measures to evaluate associations between kidney function and exposures.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We observed that 45 % of the workers had reduced kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 90 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) during the study. Levels of dehydration based on a urinary specific gravity >1.020 (28 %), acidic urine (30 %), and low potassium levels (31 %) were common. Environmental exposures (PM<sub>5</sub> and heat index) were significantly higher on workdays compared to rest days. Reduced kidney function was associated with increasing median heat index (odds ratio [OR]: 1.63, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–2.08), low urine pH (OR: 4.21, 95 % CI: 1.08–16.40), and municipal drinking water source (OR: 6.52, 95 % CI: 1.23–34.57).</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The results from this study suggest that repeated occupational exposure to high levels of heat contributes to a reduction in renal function among these workers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings can inform preventive strategies to better address women's health in the workplace, such as reducing heat stress and dehydration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100408"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143155955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100364
Sam SS Lau , Kubi Appiah , Cherry CY Ho , Marco CH Cheng , Bo-Yi Yang
Introduction
In response to growing concerns over negative emotions towards climate change worldwide, it is essential that a validated and reliable scale is available for the generalizability of the constructs being measured, and it is not just applicable to Western context, but also the East.
Method
The present study aims to conduct a psychometric investigation of the 13-item Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) of Clayton and Karazsia in Traditional Chinese using a large sample (N = 1,567) of Chinese individuals in Hong Kong, China. The CCAS was translated, back-translated, cross-culturally adapted and pilot-tested. We performed descriptive, scale reliability, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses.
Results
Unlike the two-factor structure of the original scale, our results revealed a three-factor structure of the 13-item CCAS version that captured three dimensions of climate change anxiety: intrusive symptoms, reflections on climate anxiety, and functional impairment. The scale showed good goodness-of-fit indices, internal consistency and reliability. The Chinese CCAS version demonstrated high levels of reliability estimates and significant, albeit weak, correlations with the relevant constructs of well-being, anxiety and depression, environmental orientation, self-efficacy and belief denial.
Conclusion
Overall, the Chinese CCAS version has good reliability and validity, and it can be used as a valid assessment tool for climate change anxiety screening with Chinese individuals, thus providing a foundation for better understanding various climate change–related emotions through an anxiety lens in the Chinese context.
{"title":"Measuring Chinese negative emotion towards climate change: Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Climate Change Anxiety Scale","authors":"Sam SS Lau , Kubi Appiah , Cherry CY Ho , Marco CH Cheng , Bo-Yi Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100364","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100364","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In response to growing concerns over negative emotions towards climate change worldwide, it is essential that a validated and reliable scale is available for the generalizability of the constructs being measured, and it is not just applicable to Western context, but also the East.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>The present study aims to conduct a psychometric investigation of the 13-item Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) of Clayton and Karazsia in Traditional Chinese using a large sample (N = 1,567) of Chinese individuals in Hong Kong, China. The CCAS was translated, back-translated, cross-culturally adapted and pilot-tested. We performed descriptive, scale reliability, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Unlike the two-factor structure of the original scale, our results revealed a three-factor structure of the 13-item CCAS version that captured three dimensions of climate change anxiety: intrusive symptoms, reflections on climate anxiety, and functional impairment<em>.</em> The scale showed good goodness-of-fit indices, internal consistency and reliability. The Chinese CCAS version demonstrated high levels of reliability estimates and significant, albeit weak, correlations with the relevant constructs of well-being, anxiety and depression, environmental orientation, self-efficacy and belief denial.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Overall, the Chinese CCAS version has good reliability and validity, and it can be used as a valid assessment tool for climate change anxiety screening with Chinese individuals, thus providing a foundation for better understanding various climate change–related emotions through an anxiety lens in the Chinese context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100364"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143171956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100363
Jill Mark , David de Angel Sola , Nicolas Rosario-Matos , Leyao Wang
Background
Food insecurity is traditionally defined as a chronic condition linked to insufficient income, but in post-disaster contexts the condition may differ significantly, often with sudden onset and temporary nature. There is no specific definition for post-disaster food insecurity, making accurate data collection and development of effective interventions difficult.
Methods
To explore this issue, we performed a pilot survey study (n = 22) in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to evaluate food insecurity status, duration, and causes.
Results
Over half of respondents self-reported experiencing food insecurity following Hurricane Maria. In general, food insecure respondents experienced more specific food group shortages that lasted longer than food secure respondents. The duration of food shortages significantly influenced participants' perceptions of food insecurity. The primary causes of food insecurity were identified as grocery store closures, a lack of food in stores, or other reasons not listed in the survey. These findings support what is known about the post-disaster setting with supply chain issues being a prominent mechanism of food insecurity as well as there being multiple mechanisms difficult to describe due to the complexity of the situation.
Conclusions
Results highlight the need for refined definitions and assessments of post-disaster food insecurity that account for the temporal aspects of food shortages and the complexity of post-disaster settings. As climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of natural disasters, addressing the nuances of post-disaster food insecurity is increasingly urgent to mitigate associated health risks.
{"title":"Post-disaster food insecurity: Hurricane Maria as a case study","authors":"Jill Mark , David de Angel Sola , Nicolas Rosario-Matos , Leyao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100363","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100363","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Food insecurity is traditionally defined as a chronic condition linked to insufficient income, but in post-disaster contexts the condition may differ significantly, often with sudden onset and temporary nature. There is no specific definition for post-disaster food insecurity, making accurate data collection and development of effective interventions difficult.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To explore this issue, we performed a pilot survey study (<em>n</em> = 22) in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to evaluate food insecurity status, duration, and causes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over half of respondents self-reported experiencing food insecurity following Hurricane Maria. In general, food insecure respondents experienced more specific food group shortages that lasted longer than food secure respondents. The duration of food shortages significantly influenced participants' perceptions of food insecurity. The primary causes of food insecurity were identified as grocery store closures, a lack of food in stores, or other reasons not listed in the survey. These findings support what is known about the post-disaster setting with supply chain issues being a prominent mechanism of food insecurity as well as there being multiple mechanisms difficult to describe due to the complexity of the situation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Results highlight the need for refined definitions and assessments of post-disaster food insecurity that account for the temporal aspects of food shortages and the complexity of post-disaster settings. As climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of natural disasters, addressing the nuances of post-disaster food insecurity is increasingly urgent to mitigate associated health risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100363"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143171982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100353
Lena Lehrer , Lennart Hellmann , Cornelia Betsch
Introduction
To mitigate the global health threat posed by climate change, multifaceted responses are required. In previous work, older, male, and highly educated individuals were shown to exhibit greater general readiness to act against climate change; the same is true for people living in larger communities. Yet, the sociodemographic effects may vary for the single facets of the readiness to act against climate change—namely individual climate-friendly behavior, acceptance of climate-protection policies, and political participation.
Methods
Data from four waves (2022–2023) of the Planetary Health Action Survey (PACE) were analyzed (N = 3,830, nonprobabilistic representative German sample). Sociodemographic variables (gender, age, community size, education and others) and the three abovementioned facets of the readiness to act against climate change were assessed to examine their relationships.
Results
Patterns varied between the indicators. Women and older individuals exhibited more climate-friendly behavior and policy acceptance. In contrast, levels of political participation were higher for men and younger individuals. Higher education was linked to less sustainable behavior, greater policy acceptance, and higher participation, while municipality size was only linked to the latter two. Additional analyses explore the relations between age and the constructs at item level.
Conclusions
Findings underscore the importance of a nuanced understanding of people's readiness to act against climate change. Depending on communication objectives, different target groups may be relevant, e.g., do campaigners want to increase political participation vs. change individual behaviors. While older individuals exhibit greater readiness to act via individual behavior and policy acceptance, it is important to include young people in climate-communication efforts.
{"title":"Understanding sociodemographic differences in climate behavior, climate policy acceptance, and political participation","authors":"Lena Lehrer , Lennart Hellmann , Cornelia Betsch","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100353","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100353","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>To mitigate the global health threat posed by climate change, multifaceted responses are required. In previous work, older, male, and highly educated individuals were shown to exhibit greater general readiness to act against climate change; the same is true for people living in larger communities. Yet, the sociodemographic effects may vary for the single facets of the readiness to act against climate change—namely individual climate-friendly behavior, acceptance of climate-protection policies, and political participation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data from four waves (2022–2023) of the Planetary Health Action Survey (PACE) were analyzed (<em>N</em> = 3,830, nonprobabilistic representative German sample). Sociodemographic variables (gender, age, community size, education and others) and the three abovementioned facets of the readiness to act against climate change were assessed to examine their relationships.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patterns varied between the indicators. Women and older individuals exhibited more climate-friendly behavior and policy acceptance. In contrast, levels of political participation were higher for men and younger individuals. Higher education was linked to less sustainable behavior, greater policy acceptance, and higher participation, while municipality size was only linked to the latter two. Additional analyses explore the relations between age and the constructs at item level.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Findings underscore the importance of a nuanced understanding of people's readiness to act against climate change. Depending on communication objectives, different target groups may be relevant, e.g., do campaigners want to increase political participation vs. change individual behaviors. While older individuals exhibit greater readiness to act via individual behavior and policy acceptance, it is important to include young people in climate-communication efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100353"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143171981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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