Integrating climate and health: A national survey of medical societies’ actions and barriers

A growing number of clinicians and clinical leaders are acknowledging the impacts of rising carbon emissions and committing their organizations to decreasing their carbon footprint. In 2016, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health (MSCCH) leveraged its national power and rallied major medical societies to take a stance on climate-related issues. This study assesses the extent to which medical societies within MSCCH are addressing climate change through emissions reduction efforts, research, education and policy and other programming required to reduce their carbon footprint. The effects of climate change on human health are diverse and affect every medical specialty and stage of life from birth to geriatric or end of life care [1]. From respiratory disease exacerbations from wildfires to heat-related illnesses, climate change has been associated with increasing numbers of premature death [2]. Between 2004 and 2018, an average of 703 heat-related deaths occurred annually in the United States [3].