Climate change and its influence on health
The Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (SPMI) have published a consensus document in which they warn that climate, weather and water change has a significant impact on people’s health (https: //www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). According to this document, this phenomenon is responsible for 45% of all reported deaths since 1970. This worrying figure highlights the importance of taking measures to address this problem.
The consensus of 32 medical entities
The consensus document has been drawn up with the participation of 32 societies, colleges and associations of Internal Medicine from 29 Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala /). These entities have agreed that climate, weather and water change accounts for 50% of all disasters and has a strong and lasting impact on people’s mental health and psychosocial well-being.
The consequences of climate change on health
The document highlights several threats related to climate change. One of these threats is the increase in zoonoses, infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. In addition, these diseases are reported to be responsible for 100% of pandemics, as well as water-borne and food-borne diseases. These diseases cause millions of deaths every year worldwide.
The document also highlights that the consequences of climate change particularly affect the most vulnerable populations. This is why we are calling for the responsibility of healthcare professionals in this issue.
The importance of sustainability
The consensus document also highlights the importance of working to increase climate resilience and environmental sustainability (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). This is a task that requires the involvement of all health professionals. In this sense, Internal Medicine plays a fundamental role in responding to the challenges posed by climate change.
To achieve this sustainability, it is necessary to take measures to reduce atmospheric pollution, since this has a significant impact on people’s health. According to internists, nine out of ten people breathe air with pollutant levels that exceed the limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO). This air pollution can contribute to the development of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and allergies.
The responsibility of health professionals
The consensus document calls for the involvement of all health professionals in the fight against climate change and in promoting sustainability (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en- Catalan/). The importance of working together to address this global problem and protect people’s health is highlighted.
In conclusion, climate, weather and water change has a significant impact on people’s health. It is necessary to take measures to address this problem and work to increase climate resilience and environmental sustainability. This requires the involvement of all health professionals and the collaboration of different sectors of society (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
If you are interested in contributing to the sustainability of our planet, we encourage you to join our GreeN community, where you can calculate your carbon footprint and reduce it by planting trees.
