Climate change and health: cross-sectional study on the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals.

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change represents the greatest health threat of the twenty-first century, as it directly and indirectly affects the health and well-being of the population. During the conference chaired by the United Nations and called COP-28, the World Health Organization declared that climate change and the resulting air pollution are responsible for the deaths of about 7 million people in the world every year, of which the most affected are children, the elderly and residents of developing countries. In addition, an increase of about 250,000 additional deaths is expected each year between 2030 and 2050, with costs related to health damage of between $2 billion and $4 billion per year. Health professionals have a critical role to play in combating the health consequences of climate change. However, specific knowledge on the subject is scarcely investigated in Italy.

Objectives: The study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Italian healthcare professionals with respect to climate change and its implications on health.

Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study, conducted between April and August 2024, involved 162 health professionals in Campania, selected through an online self-administered questionnaire.

Key findings: 50% of participants reported an average level of knowledge. The main causes of climate change indicated were air pollution (83.3%) and the destruction of forests and agricultural land (64.8%). Only 39.5% believe that the actions of health workers can mitigate climate change. Among the limitations of the study are a possible selection bias and limited geographical representativeness.

Conclusions: The implementation of training and awareness-raising programmes is necessary to strengthen health literacy on climate change.