Carbon emissions and air pollution savings among telehealth visits for cardiology appointments

Background

Climate change has been associated with adverse cardiovascular health, prompting interest in climate mitigation strategies while improving access for cardiovascular patients. We estimated greenhouse gas and air pollution savings from telehealth use in cardiology.

Methods

Using cardiology telehealth visits at a large academic medical center from July 2020 to March 2024, carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM_2.5) emissions saved were calculated using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency modeling software. Savings were converted into real-world comparators and differences were assessed by cardiology subspecialty and patient insurance status.

Results

Over 45 months, 14,828 telehealth visits among 9942 patients resulted in savings of 484,152 kg of CO₂, 5225 kg of CO, 243,491 g of NO_x, and 9091 g of PM_2.5 with the total carbon saved equivalent to planting 9070 tree saplings over ten years. CO₂ emissions saved per visit (kg) differed significantly by payor (Self-pay 24.99, Medicare 19.67, Medicaid 19.54, Private 17.85, Other 17.37, p = 0.004) and by subspecialty (Interventional 23.79, General 19.08, Heart Failure 18.86, Electrophysiology 17.81, Adult Congenital 16.59, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Carbon emission and air pollution savings from telehealth in cardiology were substantial, with an estimated 19.06 kg of CO₂ saved per visit and total savings over 45 months equivalent to planting over nine thousand trees.