Volume 8 Number 1 2024
Climate Change as a Central Health Determinant: Merging Planetary Health in Emergency Medicine and Practice
Abdullah Mohammed Ghaythan Alqarni 1*, Sharif Owaidh T. Almutairi 1, Saad Abdulrazaq Ahmed Hayjan 1, Abdulaziz Mbark A. Al Hamdan 1, Taleb Ghazi Thaar Aldalbahi 1, Ahmed Sarhan Khalaf Alanazi 1, Abdulaziz Awad Dahrim Al Harbi 1, Hamad Saleh Alotaysh 1, Mohammed Saad Alasfour 1, Arwa Khalid Aldossari 1, Ali Owaid B. Alanazi 1, Nawaf Fahad Ali Alqahtani 1, Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Arij 1, Meshal Ibrahim Zaid Al Owias 1, Abdullaziz Fahad Abdullah Alwanais 1
Journal of Angiotherapy 8 (8) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.8810389
Submitted: 31 August 2024 Revised: 13 August 2024 Published: 14 August 2024
Abstract
Background: The Anthropocene and human-driven climate change have increased health problems. These include heat illness, trauma, respiratory disease, vector-borne infections, and mental health crises. Emergency departments (EDs) are at the frontline of response. Aim: This review examines how climate change affects emergency medicine. It focuses on epidemiology, clinical care, and system responses to guide practice and policy. Methods:A systematic review was carried out. It looked at climate-related illnesses, ED burdens, and strategies for mitigation. Findings were summarized in three tables covering heat illness, trauma, and respiratory effects. Results:Rising temperatures have increased heatstroke cases in urban EDs by 15%. Climate disasters like hurricanes and wildfires raised trauma and respiratory visits by 25–40%. Vector-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, rose by 30%. Mental health visits for anxiety and PTSD grew by 10% after disasters. Systems face resource strain, infrastructure gaps, and health inequities. Interventions include more staff training, use of telemedicine, and stronger policy advocacy. Conclusion: Emergency medicine must adopt proactive strategies. Clinical, technological, and policy actions are needed. Preparedness will help EDs stay resilient and equitable in the face of climate-related health burdens.
Keywords: Climate change, emergency care, heat illness, vector-borne illnesses, and health equity.
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