Climate Change Deemed a Critical Health Threat by Experts
Europe, Friday, 16 May 2025.
European experts urge action on climate change to protect global health, emphasizing sustainable healthcare practices.
Critical Healthcare Reforms
The European Association of Perinatal Medicine has taken a decisive stance on climate change’s impact on global health, highlighting the healthcare sector’s paradoxical role as both healer and environmental polluter [1]. This recognition comes at a crucial time, as European health organizations are actively working to transform healthcare delivery systems. The association calls for establishing dedicated sustainability teams and implementing practical measures such as promoting video appointments and reducing unnecessary medical waste [1].
Integrated European Response
The European Public Health Week, running from May 12-16, 2025, has placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its agenda [2]. The initiative brings together experts from across the continent to address pressing health challenges, with a particular focus on sustainable healthcare practices and climate adaptation strategies. The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 reinforces this commitment by allocating substantial resources to research projects addressing the health impacts of climate change and environmental degradation [3].
Sustainable Healthcare Innovation
Healthcare institutions are being urged to adopt energy-saving behaviors and optimize medical resource utilization [1]. This includes reconsidering the use of surgical supplies and promoting reusable products where appropriate. The European Union’s health strategy now emphasizes the development of environmentally sustainable healthcare practices, recognizing that the sector must lead by example in addressing climate change [3]. These initiatives align with broader European efforts to achieve climate neutrality while maintaining high-quality healthcare delivery [3].