The climate crisis is not just an environmental problem: its effects are increasingly reflected on public health and, consequently, on global health system. In this context, an unprecedented initiative is taking place in Europe. Twenty-five medical universities from across the continent, including the University of Milan and the University of Pavia, have formed a network, the European Network on Climate & Health Education (ENCHE), with the aim of integrating related issues to climate change in the curricula of over 10,000 medical students over the next three years.
Led byUniversity of Glasgowthis network aims to prepare doctors of the future to deal with a range of diseases and clinical conditions exacerbated by global warming. Emerging priorities include heat stroke, infectious diseases such as dengue and malariawhich are expanding their range due to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns.
A curriculum for global challenges
Traditionally, the link between health and climate change has played a marginal role in medical school curricula. Until now, in fact, students were tackling the topic only in a fragmented way, with a single module or a few sporadic lessons. The ENCHE initiative radically changes this approach, inserting climate change as a central theme of the curriculum.
According to Dr. Camille Huser, co-president of the network and professor at the University of Glasgow, “Future doctors will be faced with diseases that already exist, but which climate change will make more frequent or more severe.” A clear example is the diabeteswhose complications can worsen in extreme weather conditions. Likewise, an increase in complications related to antimicrobial resistance is expected, which the climate crisis is contributing to worsening.
The ENCHE network will not limit itself to providing theoretical knowledge: students will be taught to evaluate the environmental impact of certain treatments. Asthma inhalers, for example, release greenhouse gases, which is why it will be crucial to educate patients to better manage their condition to reduce the use of these devices or, when possible, switch to greener solutions such as dry powder inhalers.
Climate change and new disease scenarios
The summer of 2024 was the hottest on record in Europeand with the increase in temperatures, cases of heat stroke and other heat-related pathologies have multiplied. Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, once confined to specific tropical areas, are advancing to new regions, favoring their spread also in Europe.
Extreme weather conditions don’t just impact infectious diseases. Chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health, are all influenced by environmental factors, including air pollution and temperature changes. And with increasing pressure on already struggling healthcare systems, it becomes crucial to equip doctors with the skills needed to meet these rapidly evolving challenges.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air, a condition that contributes to the premature deaths of approximately 7 million people each year. Estimates for the future are not comforting: without concrete interventions, heat-related deaths could triple by 2050.
Health and sustainability: an increasingly close link
ENCHE doesn’t just educate future doctors about climate-related health risks it also promotes the adoption of sustainable lifestyles. Future doctors will be trained on how to encourage patients to practice “active travel“, preferring to walk or cycle instead of using the car. The “green prescription“, which suggests activities such as community gardening or tree planting, which are beneficial to both patients’ mental health and the environment.
It is important to underline that the healthcare system also contributes to global emissions: the sector is in fact responsible for approximately 5% of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing dependence on treatments with a high environmental impact, encouraging self-management of health and promoting prevention are actions which, in addition to improving individual health, can reduce pressure on the healthcare system.
A network for a sustainable medical future
The ENCHE network is supported by global healthcare and pharmaceutical players, including AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi and Novartis, and by international organizations such as the WHO. This public-private collaboration aims to accelerate the decarbonization of the healthcare system and build a more resilient and environmentally friendly healthcare system.
The director of Global Consortium on Climate and Health EducationCecilia Sorensen, said: “Climate change will impact all of us, everywhere, but not in the same way.” This statement underlines the importance of medical training that takes into account regional specificities, preparing future doctors to respond effectively to different climate-related health challenges.
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