Harnessing Digital Health Technologies to Combat Climate Change-Related Health Impacts

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to global health. It exacerbates existing health challenges and generates new ones. Therefore, innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to its adverse effects are urgently required. This article explores the potential of digital health technologies to address the challenge posed by climate change-related health issues. It discusses their dual functionality of diminishing the carbon footprint of healthcare services and increasing understanding and governance of climate-sensitive diseases. Notably, with advanced technologies such as Generative medical AI (GMAI) presenting environmental concerns like substantial energy consumption during data processing and the generation of electronic waste, it is essential to underscore the significance of their responsible development and implementation of these technologies. This will ensure that the benefits of digital health technologies can be maximized while minimizing their ecological drawbacks. This study, therefore propose, a framework for leveraging digital health technologies to support climate change adaptation, including disease surveillance, telemedicine, patient support systems, and public awareness campaigns.