Short Wave The Climate Crisis Is A Public Health Crisis
Jun 30, 2021
Dr. Renee Salas, an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, highlights the alarming rise in heat-related illnesses tied to climate change. She shares real-life patient stories, including children suffering from severe asthma and heat stroke. Dr. Salas calls for a reformation of healthcare systems to address these urgent public health challenges and emphasizes the importance of incorporating climate education in medical training to better prepare future healthcare professionals.
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Asthma and Pollen
- Dr. Renee Salas treated a young girl who experienced multiple asthma attacks in a single week.
- The attacks were linked to higher pollen levels caused by climate change.
Managing Allergies
- Check online pollen levels and use air filtration systems to mitigate allergies.
- Doctors should "prescribe" these measures, ensuring affordability for all patients.
Heat Stroke Patient
- Dr. Salas recounts treating a man with heat stroke whose apartment was excessively hot due to lack of air conditioning.
- This highlights the dangers of extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change.