Climate change poses a significant threat to human health, particularly impacted marginalized and vulnerable patients and communities. The consequences are broad -- encompassing heightened exposure to carcinogens and disruptions in essential healthcare services (e.g., screening, preventing, treatment) during climate-related emergencies. Historically marginalized communities are especially susceptible to health impacts of climate change due to structural inequalities and discriminatory policies. Despite being at the forefront of this crisis, the healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant share attributed to hospital and outpatient care. In light of this pressing and expanding challenge, there exists a substantial opportunity for healthcare professionals to stay informed, establish best practices for decarbonizing healthcare and collaboratively cultivate climate resistant within both their practices and communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable patients and the link between climate, health care access, and equity.
• Learn strategies to reduce the environmental impact of health care practices and address climate-related challenges.
• Develop actionable plans to decrease the environmental footprint in clinical practice and health care systems.
• Discuss how lessons from adapting to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic can inform climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
   

The Office of Graduate Medical Education sponsors Grand Rounds for residents and clinical fellows. All trainees are encouraged to attend. Program directors are invited to submit ideas for Grand Round topics to the Office of GME at UCSF-GME@ucsf.edu