Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action

🌎 Thank you to everyone who came to the 2nd Annual Climate Action Conference this past weekend! A Healthier Fairfax on the Road to Zero Emissions was the theme of this year’s conference. Attendees learned about the effect of emissions on public health, how to reduce our carbon footprints, and local and regional efforts to encourage public transportation or purchasing electric vehicles. Thank you to all of our speakers — Congressman Gerry Connolly, Chairman Jeff McKay, and Dr. Anand Gourishankar from Children's National Hospital, panelists — John Morrill with the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, Gregg Steverson with Fairfax County Department of Transportation, Dr. Samim Atmar, MD with Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, and Ron Kaltenbaugh with the ELECTRIC VEHICLE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON DC INC, our partners, and volunteers for making it a success!

Climate change is recognized by the American Medical Association as a health emergency. Here's a prescription that we can follow ourselves and share with our patients. https://lnkd.in/gEAvZidn

The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is tomorrow, October 25, 2024. Make sure your request is received by your local voter registration office by 5:00 p.m. Don't miss your chance to act early and ensure your vote arrives on time. Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal: https://lnkd.in/eiTckAN

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a new rule aimed at protecting workers from the dangers of extreme heat, which is becoming increasingly prevalent as temperatures rise. Workers face serious health risks, including heat stress, heat stroke, and other complications, yet many still lack essential protections like regular water breaks and access to shade. We encourage everyone to submit your comments to OSHA and share your insights on the health impacts of extreme heat: https://lnkd.in/ebcHHpUT

Congratulations to Vivienne Pierce McDaniel, DNP, MSN, RN, FADLN for being featured in the latest exhibit, "A Prescription for Change," curated by Elvatrice Belsches at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia!   This powerful exhibit takes visitors on a journey through the Black experience in medical professions from the 1700s to the present, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of Black professionals in health fields across Virginia. It emphasizes the critical role that underrepresented practitioners play in the healthcare system and how their stories inspire future generations to pursue health careers. As Dr. McDaniel notes, understanding the full spectrum of healthcare history—encompassing physicians, dentists, midwives, and doulas—is essential for grasping the diverse landscape of the field. Learn more about the exhibit here: https://lnkd.in/eF6t-HE6

Curious about healthcare sustainability and approaches that create systematic change? Join Medical Students for a Sustainable Future this evening for a virtual event with the first health system to achieve the certification in sustainability from The Joint Commission. Director of Sustainability at Hackensack Meridian Health (NJ), Kyle Tafuri, will share how he led this 17-hospital system to environmental excellence. Register at the link below to join us TONIGHT online from 6 pm-7 pm EST, October 15. https://lnkd.in/e3s_qs2z

🗳️ The deadline to register to vote or update your registration is tomorrow, October 15, 2024. Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal: https://lnkd.in/eiTckAN If you register to vote using the Citizen Portal after Oct. 15, 2024, you will not be able to cast your ballot in the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election. Same Day Registration begins Oct. 16, 2024. Same Day registration is only available: In-person at the general registrar’s office for your locality. At your satellite early voting site during the early voting period. At your precinct on Election Day. Take action now to make sure your voice is heard and your vote counts.

🎙️ We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast, Healthy Climate America, coming October 24th! Hosted by our executive director, Lisa Patel, MD, MESc, this podcast dives deep into how health professionals, policymakers, advocates, communicators, and activists are tackling different sides of the greatest health crisis of our time—climate change. We’ll talk with infectious disease experts, mental health clinicians, labor advocates, and many others to explore the diverse voices driving the climate and health equity movement. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate, or just starting your climate journey, this podcast is for you. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, insights, and ways to take action for a healthier, more equitable future. #ClimateChange #Health #Podcast #HealthyClimateAmerica #HealthProfessionals #ClimateAdvocates #Equity #ClimateIsHealth

Today is Children’s Environmental Health Day! All children deserve clean air, clean water, safer food and products, and healthy places in which to live, learn, and play. An estimated 34% of children's chronic illnesses and developmental challenges are caused by environmental factors. These harms disproportionately affect children in lower-income families as well as Black, Latino/a, Indigenous, and other children of color. Improving our children’s health depends on righting these environmental injustices. Together, we can build a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all children. Make your voice heard today: visit cehday.org #CEHday #ClimateChange #Health #ChildrensHealth #Equity #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateAction #ClimateIsHealth

Check out The Race to Zero: Greening Our Meetings, published in the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA) Monitor by VCCA member Dr. Varun Dixit, Dr. Galaxy Li, Dr. Vidya T. Raman, and Dr. Seema Gandhi. The healthcare sector contributes 8.5% of global emissions, with medical conferences playing a significant role. This is an often overlooked aspect of medical conferences. By optimizing travel, selecting sustainable venues, reducing waste, and incorporating virtual or hybrid options, conferences can significantly lower their carbon footprint without sacrificing the benefits of in-person learning and collaboration. To help you green your next event, the article includes a checklist based on the recommendations provided. You can find the article here: https://lnkd.in/eJ3hFwpm