This year we commemorate World Family Doctor Day under the keynote “Healthy Planet, Healthy People,” deepening the link between the health of our planet and the health of our patients. It is a proven fact that climate change is the biggest health threat of the 21st century. As family doctors, we see the impact that climate change is having on the health of our patients, across the world.
Family physicians play a decisive role in addressing climate change and its impact on health. The degradation of natural resources, pollution, loss of biodiversity and climate change are not isolated environmental issues; they have profound consequences on the health and wellbeing of people worldwide.
Family doctors witness the health impacts of climate change firsthand, from increased respiratory illnesses due to pollution to the spread of vector-borne diseases with changing climates. Their observations are crucial for understanding and combating the health effects of environmental changes. By documenting these impacts and leading by example in sustainable practices, family doctors can make significant contributions to mitigating climate change’s health risks.
Family physicians play a vital role in improving climate change by educating, advocating, and promoting sustainable practices that protect the health of their patients and communities. By taking action on climate change, family physicians can help build a healthier and more sustainable future for all. Family physicians can educate their patients about the health risks associated with climate change, such as increased air pollution, extreme weather events, and spread of infectious diseases. By raising awareness about these issues, family physicians can empower their patients to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and protect their health.
Family physicians can encourage their patients to adopt more sustainable lifestyle practices, such as reducing energy consumption, using public transportation, eating a plant-based diet, and reducing waste. By promoting these behaviors, family physicians can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change on health. More over Family physicians can advocate for policies that promote environmental sustainability and protect public health. This can include supporting renewable energy initiatives, advocating for stricter environmental regulations, and promoting sustainable healthcare practices within their own institutions.
In addition to this Family physicians can work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, such as public health officials, environmental scientists, and policy makers, to address the health impacts of climate change. By building partnerships with other stakeholders, family physicians can develop more effective strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change on health. By taking action on climate change, family physicians can help build a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
Finally, on World Family Doctor Day, 19 May 2024, it is needed to raise our voices to demand urgent action on climate change to safeguard the health of populations around the world because Climate change is a Health issue, when we harm environment, we harm ourselves. Dr. Ashraf Jafrani Sujawal, Sindh Cell: 03323117633
