The Urgent Need for Sustainable Practices in Healthcare: Addressing the Health Threats Posed by Climate Change

Climate change has become a significant issue for public health. The healthcare sector in the United States is especially at risk. As extreme weather events occur more often, healthcare organizations must adopt sustainable practices. These practices can lower carbon emissions and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. The Joint Commission’s initiative for Sustainable Healthcare Certification (SHC), starting January 1, 2024, highlights this growing concern. By focusing on sustainability, hospitals can protect public health and their operations in an unstable environment.

Understanding the Health Threats Posed by Climate Change

There is a clear scientific agreement that climate change presents serious health risks. The World Health Organization indicates that climate change is responsible for more heat-related illnesses, deteriorating air quality, and worsened existing health conditions. Vulnerable groups, including low-income communities and individuals with pre-existing conditions, suffer the most. From 2010 to 2020, vulnerable regions had mortality rates from climate disasters that were 15 times higher than in less vulnerable areas.

Extreme weather events in the United States, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, are becoming more common and intense. These events threaten healthcare facilities and strain the entire healthcare system. It is essential to provide health services during and after these events. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that health systems must be prepared for emergencies that could disrupt services, especially those tied to climate-related incidents.

The Role of Sustainable Practices in Healthcare

Healthcare organizations in the U.S. should take part in addressing climate change by implementing sustainable practices. The SHC program from The Joint Commission helps hospitals reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability. The program encourages hospitals to establish governance frameworks for these initiatives, track emissions, and prioritize future actions.

Some benefits of prioritizing sustainability in healthcare include:

• Cost Savings: Sustainable practices can lead to lower operational costs, such as through energy efficiency measures and waste reduction.
• Improved Recruitment and Retention: Hospitals that prioritize sustainability may attract younger generations who value these efforts, enhancing staffing capabilities.
• Access to Federal Incentives: Recent federal legislation offers various incentives, including grants and tax credits for sustainable practices, providing financial motivation for healthcare organizations.

Sustainability in healthcare also connects with health equity. Vulnerable populations affected by climate change often have limited access to healthcare resources. By creating resilient and sustainable systems, organizations can improve access to essential services during emergencies.

The Sustainable Healthcare Certification (SHC)

The SHC program offers a framework for hospitals to pursue sustainability. It includes specific guidelines such as:

• Climate Risks and Community Vulnerability Assessment: Hospitals must evaluate their infrastructure vulnerabilities related to climate risks, which aids in creating emergency plans.
• Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Planning: Investing in durable infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions is vital.
• Environmental Protection and Ecosystem Adaptations: Protecting local ecosystems helps maintain air and water quality.
• Integration of Renewable Energy Sources: Transitioning to renewable energy can significantly reduce a facility’s carbon emissions.
• Waste Management: Effective waste management strategies can improve sustainability while protecting public health.

The SHC program outlines a path for healthcare organizations to operate more sustainably. The formal application process for SHC certification will begin in January 2024, but hospitals can start making preparations now.

AI and Workflow Automation in Sustainable Healthcare Practices

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and workflow automation can aid in achieving sustainability. AI can improve operational efficiency by automating routine tasks and simplifying processes, leading to energy and resource savings.

• Streamlining Administrative Processes: AI-driven automation can reduce the administrative load on healthcare staff, allowing them to focus on patient care.
• Predictive Maintenance: AI can help predict when equipment needs servicing or is likely to fail, aiding in the upkeep of critical resources.
• Energy Management Systems: AI can optimize energy use by adjusting systems based on building occupancy, reducing energy waste.
• Smart Waste Management: Using data analytics can lead to improved waste disposal schedules and recycling efforts.
• Enhanced Communication: AI tools can improve communication among providers, patients, and emergency responders, which is crucial during climate-related incidents.

As healthcare facilities adopt AI and automation, they enhance efficiency and contribute to sustainability. This approach can help address challenges related to climate change while ensuring quality patient care.

Case Studies Highlighting Sustainable Actions

Several healthcare organizations in the U.S. are making progress toward sustainability.

• Dignity Health has implemented a sustainability strategy focused on energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
• Parkland Health emphasizes environmental sustainability as part of health equity initiatives within the community.
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) considers climate change in its facilities planning and has invested in renewable energy systems.

Federal Support for Sustainable Practices

There are chances for growth as healthcare sustainability aligns with federal support. Recent laws provide payments and tax credits for healthcare organizations that adopt sustainable practices, helping reduce operational costs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also introduced the Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Health Care Facilities Toolkit. This toolkit gives a structured way for healthcare organizations to improve resilience against climate change, offering guidelines and practical tools for assessment.

Future Directions for Healthcare Sustainability

Healthcare organizations must adapt to ongoing climate challenges. As climate impacts increase, the focus on sustainability will grow. Some potential directions include:

• Community Collaboration: Working with local groups to create sustainability initiatives can improve success and enhance health equity.
• Training and Education: Educating staff on sustainability practices can help engage everyone in these efforts.
• Enhanced Data Collection and Analysis: Gathering and evaluating data on sustainability initiatives is important for tracking progress and guiding decisions.
• Integrating Sustainability in Strategic Planning: Long-term plans should include sustainability as a key focus.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about climate impacts on health can generate community support for sustainability efforts.

As the U.S. healthcare sector faces challenges from climate change, adopting sustainable practices will be critical for protecting public health. By creating a framework for sustainability, investing in technology, and utilizing federal incentives, healthcare organizations can safeguard their operations and contribute to addressing health threats linked to climate change.