New Climate Resiliency Toolkit Supports Healthcare Facilities in Climate-Related Emergencies
A new Climate Resiliency Toolkit has been developed by Harvard University’s Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with Americares and Chan’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment. This comprehensive toolkit aims to assist emergency rooms and clinics in effectively managing medical care during climate-related emergencies.
With climate crises impacting people across the globe, the toolkit offers specific resources and guidance for administrators, physicians, and patients in frontline medical facilities. These resources are designed to help them proactively address medical emergencies caused by climate change.
To ensure the toolkit’s effectiveness, a pilot program is currently being conducted in 19 clinics located along the coastlines of the United States. These areas are particularly vulnerable to wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. Feedback on the toolkit’s effectiveness will be collected in the coming months.
Considering the exceptionally hot summer, the toolkit’s heat resources have been released in both Spanish and English. Additionally, a heat alert system is being piloted to notify clinics two days in advance of extreme heat conditions that may affect vulnerable populations.
Dr. Aaron Bernstein, former director of C-CHANGE, emphasizes the importance of equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge to address climate-related challenges. He states, You can pick any person alive today and find a way that climate change matters to their health.
Dr. Caleb Dresser, director of healthcare solutions at C-CHANGE, highlights the toolkit’s evidence-based approach. It provides actionable information based on the best available epidemiology and emergency management literature.
The Climate Resiliency Toolkit aims to bridge the gap between awareness of climate change impacts and the ability to respond effectively. It consists of a series of digital fact sheets intended for healthcare providers, patients, and administrators. Dr. Dresser envisions a future where the significant impact of climate change on public health is acknowledged, leading to targeted interventions to ensure safety.
One of the primary goals of the toolkit is to offer specific, actionable solutions to mitigate health risks associated with climate change. For example, the patient-directed fact sheet on heat-related emergencies advises individuals to avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine, and provides guidance on monitoring urine color. It also outlines steps to take in cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
The feedback received from clinics currently using the toolkit has been overwhelmingly positive. Many administrators and patients alike find the resources highly beneficial. Clinics such as San Jose in Houston, which serve uninsured populations, have found the toolkit invaluable for preparing for climate disasters.
Recognizing the global nature of climate change, the toolkit is also being prepared for international implementation. The Philippines will be the first country to adopt the toolkit in partnership with Americares, thanks to funding from Johnson & Johnson.
In the long term, Dr. Dresser hopes that the Climate Resiliency Toolkit will encourage healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public to view climate change as an integral part of public health. This shifted perspective will be crucial in developing comprehensive strategies to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the health impacts of climate-related emergencies.
