Extreme heat increases the risk of cardiovascular events, kidney injury and heat-related illnesses. Air pollution contributes to asthma exacerbations and chronic respiratory disease. Severe weather events create barriers to routine medical care while increasing anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns. Research has also linked environmental exposures associated with climate change to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The health effects extend across nearly every medical specialty. Recognizing these connections enables physicians to better anticipate risks and provide more comprehensive patient care.
The speakers also highlighted the important role physicians play as trusted public health communicators. Surveys consistently show that healthcare professionals remain among the most credible sources of health information, making physicians well positioned to educate patients about environmental health risks and practical ways to reduce exposure.
That role extends beyond advocacy. Physicians can help patients prepare for extreme heat, recognize symptoms related to poor air quality, identify individuals at greater risk during severe weather events and connect environmental conditions to chronic disease management. These conversations can become a routine part of patient care, particularly for those with respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy-related concerns or other conditions that may worsen as climate-related events become more frequent.
Perhaps most importantly, discussions about climate and health do not have to begin with politics or policy. They can begin with patients’ lived experiences: a child whose asthma worsens during poor air quality days, an older adult struggling through prolonged heat waves or a patient recovering from flooding that interrupted access to medications.
By listening to those experiences and recognizing the environmental factors that influence health, physicians can provide more informed, patient-centered care while strengthening the resilience of their communities.
Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern. It is increasingly a clinical issue that affects the health of patients every day. As trusted healthcare professionals, physicians have an opportunity to recognize these evolving challenges, educate their patients and help build healthier communities prepared for a changing environment.
References:
1. www. lancetcountdownus. org / 2023-lancet-countdown-u-s-brief /
2. Abir M, Vardavas R, Tariq ZH, et al.; RAND. Impact of Climate Change on Health and Drug Demand: Research Report. Washington( DC): Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation( ASPE); 2024 Oct 4. Chapter 2, Environmental Scan. Available from: www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / books / NBK611206 /
3. Uthman OA, Court R, Enderby J, et al. Identifying optimal primary prevention interventions for major cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and hierarchical network meta-analysis of RCTs [ Internet ]. Southampton( UK): National Institute for Health and Care Research; 2025 Jul 2. Available from: www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / books / NBK617276 / doi: 10.3310 / RLDH7432
4. Comba P, Iavarone I, Kogevinas M, et al. Contamination of air, water, soil, and food: The challenge is to characterize specific risks. In: Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW, editors. World Cancer Report: Cancer research for cancer prevention. Lyon( FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2020. 2.9. Available from: www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / books / NBK606470 /
GLMS Foundation Senior Physicians Speaker Series
Make sure to add these dates to your calendar so you don’ t miss out! October 6 and December 1
All meetings will take place at noon via Zoom. The program is free and open to GLMS members and their guest. Please contact us for more information on the programs and how to access the meetings. Senior Physicians Committee Chair, Dr. Sam Yared, has several speakers already lined up, but is always looking for new ideas. If you have suggestions on potential speakers or topics, please reach out, we would love to hear your ideas! Missed a recent program and want to catch up? Contact us for a link to the recordings. foundation @ glms. org | 502-736-6366
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