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October 14, 2024 – Climate change is poised to have a drastic impact on health emergency services worldwide, international experts in emergency medicine warned during the European Emergency Medicine Congress on Sunday. Despite this looming crisis, few countries have assessed the scope of the impact or developed strategies to address it, according to researchers.
Luis Garcia Castrillo, a professor of emergency medicine at the Hospital Marques de Valdecilla in Santander, Spain, led the research, which involved 42 focus groups from 36 countries. Participants were asked to evaluate their awareness and preparedness regarding climate change’s effects on health systems, particularly emergency care.
“On a scale of zero to nine, the average rating for the severity of climate change’s impact on health systems, specifically emergency services, was seven,” Castrillo reported. “This is a significant figure, though perceptions vary across regions. For instance, northern Europe sees it as less of a problem, while countries like Australia are far more concerned.”
The study found that climate change’s impact on emergency medical services could be equal to or even greater than its overall impact on global health systems. However, preparedness efforts remain alarmingly scarce. Only 21% of focus group members indicated that their countries had assessed the effects of climate change on emergency medical services, and just 38% reported any measures being taken to mitigate the potential damage.
Furthermore, 62% of respondents stated that their governments or policymakers had not made any assessments of the impact of climate change on emergency services, while 9% were unsure. More than half—55%—said that no actions had been taken to prepare for the effects, with 10% reporting uncertainty on this matter.
Castrillo expressed surprise at the widespread lack of awareness. “It is concerning that many countries and even emergency medicine societies are not taking this issue seriously. The reality is that both rich and poor countries will be affected, and we need to start preparing now.”
Dr. Roberta Petrino, director of the Emergency Department at Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale in Lugano, Switzerland, emphasized the urgent need for action. “Our survey revealed a universal recognition of the importance of mitigating climate change, especially in strengthening emergency medicine services and incorporating climate education into medical training programs.”
According to the survey, the three most significant risks to health systems identified by focus groups were pollution, flooding, and heatwaves. Minor risks included cold spells, wildfires, and vector-borne diseases like malaria.
“As we approach the end of a year that has seen the hottest days on record, it’s clear that action cannot come soon enough,” the study’s authors noted. “Climate change is affecting every country, regardless of wealth or geography. The world is facing a climate emergency, and our medical services are on the front lines of this crisis.”
The findings, set to be published in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine, highlight the urgent need for governments, policymakers, and medical professionals to prioritize preparedness for the growing impact of climate change on health emergency services.
