UW Health’s Post

Our inaugural Healthy Lives Mission Report is out! Check out the link to learn more about how Kenvue is making a difference in the world. 🌍 #WeAreKenvue #HealthyLivesMission #ESG #Sustainability

Our inaugural Healthy Lives Mission Report is out! Check out the link to learn more about how Kenvue is making a difference in the world. 🌍 #WeAreKenvue #HealthyLivesMission #ESG #Sustainability

Our inaugural Healthy Lives Mission Report is out! Check out the link to learn more about how Kenvue is making a difference in the world. 🌍 #WeAreKenvue #HealthyLivesMission #ESG #Sustainability

Day 2 of the CASCADES Summer Institute on Sustainable Health Systems focused on the way in which sustainability is, or can be, integrated in health systems, primarily using #QI frameworks. TL;DR: I'm thinking about the role of #LocalPublicHealth and appreciating linkages being made among health care, other caring institutions and the community in general. My hub-mates are SUCH SMART PEOPLE--I am loving this carved-out space to learn from them. At the #Ottawa Hub, we were visited by Cynthia Chung and Kristin Cote from Ottawa Public Health's Healthy Environments program. They talked about #ClimateChange #vulnerability planning and the importance of #HealthyBuiltEnvironments, including the #PopsicleTest for a healthy, walkable community: can a 9 year old safely walk to buy a popsicle and get back home before it melts? In the national panel, Forbes McGain talked about the Framework for Sustainable Health Systems (https://lnkd.in/gdD5Qbcj), with 3 levels: reduce demand for health systems, match supply of health services to demand, and reduce emissions from supply of health services. Arianna Cruz taught us about embedding #sustainability in #QualityImprovement, with specific examples demonstrating quality and environmental co-benefits. Check out the CASCADES Sustainable Perioperative Care Playbook for more: https://lnkd.in/gDT4GinC Sonja Wicklum MD CCFP FCFP talked about her experience greening her "healthcare neighbourhood" in a collaborative, community-engaged way. She had significant experience working in #rural areas, and shared tips for moving sustainability work forward there: be very practical, provide easy, ready-to-execute resources. Our afternoon activity was to use the QI framework (https://lnkd.in/g-p-FyY7..) to pitch our own projects. Our local hub had great additional conversations as well, on the interaction of social service and health care systems (and subsequent impact on cost and environment), and on the value of network over hierarchy in fostering change (i.e., anyone can do this).

Integrating sustainability through environmental stewardship, social equity, and fiduciary responsibility, hospitals and healthcare systems are supporting healthy, resilient communities. Read more from the American Hospital Association to get started: https://ow.ly/jy8Y50QHuFK #healthcare #sustainability #environmentalhealth #wellbeing

📰Human health and the environment🌍 are closely intertwined, yet we rarely reflect on the magnitude of this connection. Do you normally wonder how our daily actions impact both our health and the well-being of the planet? In this week's #article, we delve into this topic, discussing which environmental factors affect our health and how. Keep reading and join this timely debate👇 Humans rely on the natural world around them, though surprisingly, not quite the other way around... #Wellbeing #Wellness #Health #Environment #blog #Actions #Humans

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential for improving health care quality, safety, and equity. Health plans, with their significant financial and policy influence, are key to driving this change. They can design policies, determine benefits, negotiate costs, and incentivize sustainable practices, thus reducing operational costs, improving health outcomes, and benefiting the planet. "Recognizing the inextricable link between planetary health and the well-being of their patients, health plans have a responsibility to drive environmental sustainability within the system." #ClimateChange #Health #HealthCare #HealthPlans #GreenhouseGases #Emissions #PatientCare #Patients #ClimateIsHealth

In Australia, the health system contributes 7%1 to total national carbon emissions. Globally, health care contributes 4.4% to emissions2. To tackle the issue and ensure the health system can meet climate change challenges, the Australian Government launched consultation on the country’s first National Health and Climate Strategy In March 20233. While there is still a long way to go on the path to a ‘net zero’ world, hospitals, health services organisations, industry bodies and suppliers are making efforts to reduce their emissions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gsSrdtwB #Healthcare #Sustainability #Improvement #Health

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

How can a healthy ocean improve human health and enhance wellbeing on a rapidly changing planet? I was invited and participated as a co-author of the Ocean Panel Blue Paper exploring the topic of human health and its relationship with the ocean. However far we live from it, a healthy ocean is imperative to human health, from sourcing critical medication and nutritious diets, to providing new medicines and space for beneficial physical activity. The ocean holds largely unrecognised and unrealised potential to improve human health, support mental health and wellbeing, create economic opportunity and advance social justice. The Blue Paper, ‘How can a healthy ocean improve human health and enhance wellbeing on a rapidly changing planet?’ explores four key areas of opportunity where the ocean can be a source of positive human health outcomes: Ocean biodiversity can provide new medicines to fight disease, inspiration for new technologies, new materials and energy sources. Sustainable production of blue food holds promise for ending hunger and malnutrition. Access to healthy marine environments supports recreation and promotes mental health. Investment in the blue economy supports economic stability and equitable outcomes in coastal communities and beyond. To identify key areas of action, this paper systematically catalogues ocean-based opportunities for enhancing human health and wellbeing and provides policymakers with achievable actions for improving human health and wellbeing by equitably and sustainably realising the ocean’s great benefits. The Paper finds that urgent and comprehensive action is needed to safeguard ocean and human health, including actions that: Protect, restore and sustainably manage ocean biodiversity; Combat climate change and eliminate pollution; Include indicators of ocean and human health and wellbeing (including equity) into relevant policies and decision-making. These actions for better ocean and human health can be achieved by meeting the commitments of global agreements, building global partnerships and focusing on equity and the right to a healthy environment. Read the complete Ocean Panel Blue Paper here: https://lnkd.in/dcRYVvMa The PDF is available upon request and will be posted at ResearchGate. Also, watch the video: https://lnkd.in/dX5aSJ6G