Children's Health’s Post

🌍 Our planet's health is crucial for humanity's well-being. This #WFDD2024, let's advocate for environmental sustainability in healthcare! 1️⃣ Promote sustainable practices 2️⃣ Advocate for policy change 3️⃣ Educate & empower 4️⃣ Research & innovate 5️⃣ Collaborate across sectors

Be Responsible! I have always wondered what will happen to the underserved in each community if we don't have some people advocating for them. It is the same way I see our environment and each policymaker doing their best to make sure it is safe for everyone. I've witnessed firsthand the profound connection between the well-being of our environment and the health of our communities. Sustainability is a lifeline and this goes down to everything that has to do with it. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food that nourishes us are all gifts from an environment that asks for nothing but respect in return. Yet, we find ourselves at a crossroads, where the very practices meant to heal us are inadvertently contributing to the planet's distress. Collaboration is key to getting every action taker on board, I mean we need innovative minds from both healthcare and environmental sciences to forge a path forward. Imagine hospitals or rural health centers powered by renewable energy, medical supplies that get to the patients on time, and a circular economy where nothing goes to waste. Being a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply a concerned citizen, your choices have power. Do not underestimate the ripple effect of each action. Let’s innovate health together. Connect with me for content that inspires and strategies that make a difference. #HealthcareSustainability #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth #contentstrategist #ServiceProviders

My mom is a really good doctor. Growing up she would always talk to me and my siblings about social determinants of health, the non-medical factors that can affect a person's health and well-being, the upstream problems that caused her patients to be sick in the first place. And while she was a great primary care doctor, she understood that there needed to be opportunities to engage in healthier behaviors that took place out side of the hospital. To achieve a healthy lifestyle, her patients would first have to shift the way they acted around food, exercise, time, etc. I think the same is true in the world of environmental conservation. Climate change and biodiversity loss are not the true problems in our environment today. They are simply the symptoms of upstream issues. Plastic pollution, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, habitat loss, overfishing, the list of destructive behavior goes on and on. But just as my mom recognized the importance of addressing the underlying issues affecting her patients' health, we must identify and address the systemic problems driving environmental degradation. Taking a quote from the book, Making Shift Happen, “no one wakes up in the morning hoping for bad news about the planet. Yet despite this, we consistently act in ways that are detrimental to the environment and ourselves.” That is because we are dealing with a behavioral problem. If we want a healthier world, we have to change the way we act first. 📷 : Ann Barnes, MD, MPH :) #behaviorchange #environmentalconservation #learning #nature

My health, my right

🏠🌍 How do your surroundings impact your health? Read our latest blog to learn the link between environment and health outcomes. Discover how the built environment and local community shape the well-being of our partner communities in Latin America and Africa, and how MEDLIFE is working to make a difference. #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #CommunityHealth #GlobalHealth #BuiltEnvironment #HealthOutcomes #LatinAmerica

"Planetary health is a relatively new term and new field, but it provides a powerful framework for transforming our relationship to our physical world. While it is concerned with #climatechange, #planetaryhealth is more broadly focused on the #globalhealth implications of the Earth crisis—all the ways that human activity is transforming our planet’s natural systems. This includes disruptions to #biodiversity; the #pollution of air, water, and soil; and changes in land use, such as #deforestation and dams."

Between the works of agriculture and climate study, the public health sector can make great stride.

On #WorldEnvironmentDay, let's remember our #Health depends on a healthy environment. Health professionals wear many hats in society—one of which is as a trusted community voice. This means that a health professional is well-positioned to communicate in ways that help protect human health from climate change. The health effects of climate change are rapidly becoming more obvious in communities. It's important to be informed with the latest evidence on critical health issues, like climate change, to deliver effective #healthcare. Empower people to make good decisions about their health. Let people know how they can protect themselves from the impacts of climate change. This empowers them to protect themselves and their families and may reduce feelings of anxiety about climate change. The effects of climate change on health will differ vastly depending on your community's location, infrastructure, and socioeconomic status. 🌟There are a number of actions that the health community can take to protect the environment: 1. Advocacy and Public Awareness - Healthcare professionals can educate the public about the health impacts of environmental issues like air pollution, climate change, and toxic chemicals. - Encourage sustainable practices in healthcare settings, such as reducing waste, and using eco-friendly products. - Advocate for policies that promote environmental health. 2. Research and Data Collection - Conduct and support research on how environmental factors impact health, highlighting the need for stronger environmental protections. 3. Education and Training - Curriculum Development: Integrate environmental health topics into medical education to ensure that future health professionals understand the link between the environment and health. - Professional Development: Provide ongoing training for healthcare professionals on environmental health issues and sustainable practices. 4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Work with environmental scientists, policymakers, and community organizations to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing environmental health issues. - Engage in international collaborations to address global environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. 5. Sustainable Healthcare Practices - Reduce Carbon Footprint: Implement strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare operations, use sustainable materials, and have minimal environmental impact. 6. Community Engagement - Support community-based initiatives that address local environmental health issues. - Empower vulnerable populations, who are the most affected by environmental hazards. By taking these actions, the health community can play a crucial role in protecting the environment and promoting a healthier future for all. 🌱🌍 #publichealth #globalhealth #planetaryhealth #sustainability

Today I spoke to healthcare leaders across the political spectrum about the importance of #climatechange and sustainability and why the healthcare sector should lead. Learnings from the experience: - There are some amazing examples of healthcare systems leading in places like Arkansas and Florida on transitioning to renewables and building LEED certified buildings. The economics case is the most important factor in the decision. - I got asked "how do we begin?" There are so many ways to start the journey for sustainability--looking at the values of your organization, who is already passionate about it, and what opportunities or needs there are in a localized context are important. For example, one system started on its road when the CEO heard one of the maintenance staff passionately talk about the excess waste. Another system got its start from students and faculty coming together to talk to leadership. Yet another started from an anesthesiologist passionate about getting desflurane out. Find the seed, plant and nurture it--the soil is ripe for it to bloom. -There's a lot of work to do to educate more people on the health harms of fossil fuels. We estimate healthcare emissions are responsible for about 50-100k deaths per year, equivalent to the number of deaths from diabetes or Alzheimer's. We need to hammer this point home repeatedly as health professionals: fossil fuels are bad for our health and the health of our planet. So grateful I had the chance today to reach an audience with power for change. #sustainablehealthcare #actonclimate #climateishealth

In 2024, the World Health Organization marks its 76th anniversary, and as part of the celebration, it has chosen 'My Health, My Right' as the theme for World Health Day. This theme highlights the fundamental human entitlement to access quality healthcare, education, and information. Let's reflect on the interconnectedness of environmental health and human well-being. From the air, we breathe to the water we drink and the green spaces we enjoy, our environment plays a pivotal role in shaping our health outcomes. 🏥 Healthcare Access and Equity: Access to quality healthcare services is fundamental to promoting health and well-being. Let's work towards policies that ensure healthcare access for all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, geographical location, or other barriers, to achieve health equity and reduce disparities in health outcomes. 🍎 Nutrition and Food Security: A nutritious diet is essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. Let's advocate for policies that promote access to affordable, nutritious food options, support sustainable agriculture practices, and address food insecurity to ensure everyone can enjoy a healthy diet. 💧 Water Sanitation: Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right and a cornerstone of public health. Let's work towards implementing water sanitation infrastructure, educating communities on hygiene practices, and ensuring equitable access to clean water for all individuals worldwide. ✅ Air Quality: Ensuring clean air is not just about environmental conservation; it's about safeguarding public health. Let's advocate for policies that prioritize reducing air pollution, promoting renewable energy sources, and improving urban planning to create healthier cities for all. 🌳 Green Spaces: Nature has a profound impact on our well-being, from reducing stress to promoting physical activity. Let's support initiatives that preserve and create green spaces in our communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the restorative power of nature. As we celebrate World Health Day, let's commit to building a healthier future together by recognizing the importance of environmental health and addressing key factors that impact public health. Together, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #WorldHealthDay #HealthForAll #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthyLiving 🌱🌏