World Earth Day: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health

“The impact of climate change on individuals with rheumatic conditions like arthritis, lupus and gout is understudied. Working with my colleague Dr. Paul Dellaripa and others, our research highlights the overlap between living in areas of high social vulnerability and heat vulnerability. It demonstrated that individuals with rheumatic conditions living in areas with these adverse social and environmental exposures had significantly higher odds of repeated hospitalizations. Our team is part of national efforts to advocate for patient and provider education, research, and community-based strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, particularly for our highest-risk patients with rheumatic conditions. Large healthcare organizations will need to play an active role for these efforts to be successful.”

Candace Feldman, MD, MPH, ScD
Associate Physician, Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

“Investigators have documented the association of global warming with worsening pollen seasons across North America and increases in pollen-related allergies and respiratory symptoms. I aim to support colleagues who are studying the effects of climate change on many aspects of human health, including the development of atopic dermatitis and allergic respiratory diseases. I’m a co-investigator of Project Viva, a study led by Dr. Emily Oken, which has followed a cohort of children since before their birth. Most recently, my colleague Dr. Nicholas Nassikas, Dr. Mary Rice and our team published a paper showing that short-term exposure to pollen was associated with higher levels of a clinically relevant marker of airway inflammation, FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide). My goal as a senior mentor is to support the younger generations of investigators and healthcare workers who are sharing their knowledge and tools to help our local hospitals, communities and the world adapt to weather extremes, reduce climate change and achieve environmental justice."

Diane Gold, MD, MPH
Professor, Channing Division of Network Medicine
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

“Climate change is an urgent public health issue that directly impacts our patients – particularly those in historically marginalized communities. Rising temperatures and air pollution levels are associated with worsening seasonal allergies, chronic sinus disease, and an increased incidence of head and neck cancer. My research focuses on the impacts of climate variables such as temperature and air pollution on development upper airway disease and surgical outcomes. There are many opportunities for providers and staff across the Mass General Brigham community to get involved in climate advocacy, research and sustainability."

Amanda E. Dilger, MD
Investigator and Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Mass Eye and Ear

“A key message I would like to share, along with my research colleague, Kathyana Santiago Mangual, is that we wish more individuals would understand the relationship between environmental factors and skin health. Air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter can cause inflammation and compromise the skin barrier, which can exacerbate or even trigger skin diseases such as eczema in children and adults. The increased incidence and intensity of wildfires, a consequence of climate change, is not just a forestry or air quality concern but has direct, adverse effects on human health, including skin health. Disproportionately affected groups, including children, older adults, and low-income communities,  experience a greater impact from these environmental hazards. As such, targeted interventions and policies are needed to mitigate these risks."

Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH
Director of Dermatology, Community Health Program, Department of Dermatology
Massachusetts General Hospital

“We have been using the unique long running studies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, such as the Nurses' Health Studies, to examine the long-term effects of climate-change-related factors on health. Through our research, it is becoming clearer that changes in temperature and humidity at longer time scales (months to years) are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Our work is also showing that climate change is linked to adverse mental health and many other chronic diseases.”

Jaime E. Hart, ScD
Epidemiologist, Channing Division of Network Medicine
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

“My interest is in understanding the often unexpected — and even long-lasting — impacts that climate change is having on the health of our patients, how we practice medicine, and our ability to deliver high-quality care when our communities need it most. These insights are important to guide effective interventions that protect the health of everyone, but especially those who are being most impacted. It also helps make connections for people, helping them see why addressing climate change is fundamental for us to fulfil our mission in medicine. A transition away from fossil fuels is a prescription that all our patients need.”

Renee N. Salas, MD, MPH
Physician Investigator, Department of Emergency Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital

"Along with my research colleague at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Christian Mewaldt, I completed a waste audit on an inpatient general medicine unit in the summer of 2021 in order to quantify and characterize the daily waste generation in this setting. The amount of plastic waste identified during this audit was quite staggering and mainly attributed to disposal of single-use plastic personal protective equipment and precautions gowns. The production and disposal of these items releases significant greenhouse gas emissions in a sector (the healthcare industry) that already heavily contributes to climate change. One of the ongoing goals of our work is to inform opportunities for more sustainable waste diversion and elimination, including advocating for a transition to reusable precautions gowns, which have proven to be highly effective. Additionally, we hope that our work highlights that waste audits are easily reproduced in various settings and serve as an essential tool for advocates of sustainability efforts."

Jonathan Eisen, MD
Physician Investigator, Department of Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital

"Obesity can exacerbate the health risks associated with extreme heat in urban environments due to the body's reduced ability to regulate temperature effectively. This can lead to increased heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and dehydration. Additionally, individuals with obesity may have a higher risk of cardiovascular complications during periods of extreme heat. Furthermore, the increased energy consumption for cooling in urban environments due to heat waves can lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, further contributing to climate change."

Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA
Physician Investigator, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Endocrine Division and Pediatric Endocrinology
Massachusetts General Hospital