Mona Sarfaty, MD, MPH, FAAFP, director for the program on Climate and Health Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, is partnering with her family medicine peers to assess what physicians are experiencing with regards to climate change and health.
To date, three surveys have shown that physician respondents around the country perceive that climate change has direct relevance to patient health, and judge that climate change is affecting the health of their own patients. Those who responded thought a variety of measures were needed, including continuing medical education, education of medical students and the public, and advocacy by physicians and their medical societies. They also thought that physicians should take a leadership role in encouraging clinics, medical practices, and institutions to be environmental sustainable.
There are a group of physicians in Ohio that are seeking to find others of like mind to pursue these issues in the state. They include members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Thoracic Society, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, and their societies. These physicians are interested in finding family physicians who are interested in these issues as well to participate in some Ohio-based letters, visits, and/or meetings to advance the issues. One issue of immediate concern is a measure that puts obstacles in the path of the development of clean renewable wind power in the state. This is just one example of the kinds of issues on which physician engagement could make a difference.
If you are interested in getting involved in the Ohio-based initiative, please contact Dr. Sarfaty or call 703.993.2086.