The journal of climate change and health最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of a novel learning simulation for organizational leadership in environmental sustainability","authors":"Alexander Negron Price ,&nbsp;Thomas Dakin ,&nbsp;Aditi Jayaram ,&nbsp;Ryan Crowder ,&nbsp;Sonia Roschnik ,&nbsp;Tim Rogmans ,&nbsp;Andrew N. Garman","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100586","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100586","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>With climate change increasingly recognized as a significant threat to human health, healthcare leaders are becoming crucial allies in pursuing net zero emissions. To meet the profession’s learning needs the IHF-Geneva Sustainability Centre co-developed a learning simulation for healthcare leaders, which is now in use by universities and practice settings across the world.</div></div><div><h3>Background/Objectives</h3><div>This evaluation was conducted to assess the impact of the learning simulation and to support continuous quality improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Program participants were asked to complete exit surveys involving questions concerning reactions and learning outcomes, which created an archive of participant responses. Analyses involved aggregating archival data from practice settings at the training event level for comparison. Data from higher education settings were also analyzed separately from practice settings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 278 surveys collected from across 17 training events provided usable data for this analysis. Results suggested that the simulation was consistently well received across a diversity of contexts and regions. The only group-level difference was in the debriefings, in which practice-based settings were significantly more satisfied than the university settings. In reviewing qualitative comments for improvement opportunities, primary themes related to wanting more time to play through the simulation, debrief the results, or both.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Results suggest that simulations can be an engaging and impactful means for exposing healthcare leadership to environmentally sustainable practice principles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100586"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Smart greening initiatives for healthcare facilities: A caribbean case study on environmental sustainability and disaster resilience","authors":"Judith Harvey ,&nbsp;Dana van Alphen ,&nbsp;Shalini Jagnarine Azan ,&nbsp;Roger Camacho ,&nbsp;Clemens Buter ,&nbsp;Ciro Ugarte ,&nbsp;Lealou Reballos ,&nbsp;Alex Camacho-Vasconez ,&nbsp;Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy ,&nbsp;Jorge Vasconez-Gonzalez ,&nbsp;Esteban Ortiz-Prado","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100525","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100525","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Smart Hospitals Program was implemented in seven Caribbean countries to enhance disaster resilience and environmental sustainability in small- to medium-sized healthcare facilities. The initiative focused on improving energy efficiency, water conservation, and overall environmental performance while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare service delivery in disaster-prone regions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Facility assessments were conducted using the Green Checklist, a tool tailored for Caribbean healthcare facilities based on LEED standards. Pre- and post-retrofit evaluations targeted water and energy conservation, air quality, and waste management. Interventions included infrastructure upgrades—such as photovoltaic systems, energy-efficient equipment, and rainwater harvesting systems—and staff training on resource conservation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Energy consumption at the Vieux Fort Healthcare Facility decreased by 47.7 %, with a mean monthly reduction of -5773 kWh (95 % CI:6175 to -5371; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001; <em>t</em> = 31.61, df = 11). Comfort Bay showed a median reduction of 26.6 % (-1919 kWh; <em>p</em> = 0.0005; <em>W</em> = -78.00). Water consumption reductions included 58.5 % at Saltibus (-40,456 gallons per month; <em>p</em> = 0.0005; <em>W</em> = -78.00), 18.1 % at Vieux Fort (-6924 gallons per month; <em>p</em> = 0.0005; <em>W</em> = -78.00), and 7.2 % at Mongouge (-1269 gallons per month; <em>p</em> = 0.0005; <em>W</em> = -78.00). These reductions highlight significant improvements in resource efficiency and operational sustainability across facilities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The Smart Hospitals Program achieved significant reductions in water and energy consumption, demonstrating the potential of targeted retrofitting interventions to enhance sustainability and resilience in healthcare facilities. While the results highlight the program's effectiveness, maintenance challenges and variability in usage patterns underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and tailored strategies to sustain these gains. This model provides valuable insights for similar initiatives in resource-constrained and disaster-prone regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100525"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring indigenous household resilience to global environmental changes: Psychometrics and face validity scale development","authors":"Shanondora Billiot ,&nbsp;Chao-Kai Huang ,&nbsp;Nidia Hernandez ,&nbsp;Jessica Elm ,&nbsp;Balakrishnan Balachandran ,&nbsp;Jasmine Fournier","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study developed the factor structure of an Indigenous Household Resilience Scale (IHRS) within a state-recognized tribal community facing extreme environmental threats. The IHRS assesses Indigenous people's subjective appraisal of resilience at the household level, which is crucial as decisions such as relocation due to repeated disasters and chronic land loss occur at this level rather than at individual or community levels.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employed a Tribally led participatory sequential mixed-methods approach. We collected survey data from tribal citizens (<em>N</em> = 119) along the Gulf Coast. Initial scale development involved a literature review, face validity, and community engagement, resulting in 17 indicators across three constructs. Researchers followed collaborative protocols and received appropriate institutional approvals.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Guided by a series of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), item reduction and restructuring led to an 11-item scale into three factors: Cultural Continuity, Relational Place-based Worldview, and Community Engagement. The adjusted CFA model demonstrated good fit indices (a non-significant χ² test; RMSEA = 0.05; CFI = 0.94; SRMR = 0.06), with moderate to strong inter-factor correlations (ranging from 0.62 to 0.71), supporting construct distinctiveness. The overall scale showed acceptable internal consistency (ω = 0.80).</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>These findings provide preliminary evidence for measuring household resilience within an Indigenous community and contribute to Indigenous scholarship. This scale is particularly relevant for social and behavioral health practitioners and researchers working with Indigenous peoples who face environmental challenges, as it enhances culturally sensitive coping strategies and identifies factors promoting resilience at the household level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100489"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities of extreme heat in learning environments of Puerto Rico in 2023","authors":"Pablo A. Méndez-Lázaro ,&nbsp;Laura T. Cabrera-Rivera ,&nbsp;Digna Rueda-Roa ,&nbsp;Frank E. Muller-Karger ,&nbsp;Manuel Heredia Morales ,&nbsp;Mónica V. Sánchez-Sepúlveda ,&nbsp;Ernesto Rodríguez ,&nbsp;Odalys Martínez ,&nbsp;Ernesto Morales ,&nbsp;Patricia Chardón-Maldonado ,&nbsp;Wanda I. Crespo-Acevedo ,&nbsp;Sarah Molinari ,&nbsp;Masoud Ghandehari ,&nbsp;Jorge E. Gonzalez-Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100581","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100581","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Puerto Rico is experiencing anomalous heat episodes. The year 2023 was marked by unprecedented extreme heat events with negative impacts in Puerto Rico’s learning environments. This study aimed to understand the context, barriers, knowledge, risks, vulnerabilities, perceptions, employees’ profiles, attitudes, and symptoms related to extreme heat in learning environments.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>We employed a mixed-methods approach combining: (1) Earth Observation Data and geospatial analysis, (2) an online survey for teachers, administrative staff, and other school employees from diverse educational settings and levels and (3) a series of participatory activities with stakeholders, practitioners and decision makers that led to knowledge co-production and adaptation strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>36 % of schools were exposed to land surface temperatures exceeding 41.4 °C. The southern region showed the highest proportion (50.7 %) of schools in high or critical risk areas for heat and had insufficient A/C infrastructure. Survey results indicated significant disparities in A/C conditioning availability between private (17.28 %), public schools (2.93 %) and educational regions. Students and school employees in non-air-conditioned environments showed significantly higher odds of experiencing heat-related symptoms. Fatigue (OR=2.53), irrationality (OR=2.40), lack of attention (OR=2.14), dizziness (OR=2.62, 95 % CI: 1.91–3.65) were some of the most reported symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This assessment of extreme heat impacts in tropical learning environments reveals significant disparities in heat exposure and adaptation capacity across Puerto Rico's educational system. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions. This research contributes to the improvement of learning environments and serves as a model for adaptation efforts in educational settings in tropical islands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100581"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flood risk prediction and modeling in Bauchi: Leveraging machine learning models and explainable AI for urban resilience","authors":"Kamil Muhammad Kafi ,&nbsp;Zakiah Ponrahono ,&nbsp;Zulfa Hanan Ash’aari ,&nbsp;Aliyu Salisu Barau","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100490","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Floods are amongst the most destructive weather and climate-related disasters, causing significant loss of life and property globally. Accurate flood risk prediction is crucial for improving disaster resilience and urban planning.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employed artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, specifically Random Forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models, to predict and model flood risk in Bauchi, Nigeria. Additionally, Explainable AI analysis was utilized to interpret the model outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study revealed that high-risk areas have a history of frequent and severe flooding based on RF and XGBoost predictions. Settlement formality, elevation, population, and rainfall were the most influential factors in exacerbating flood risk. The RF model outperformed both XGBoost and SVM, with a precision of 0.857 and ROC-AUC of 0.93, while SVM performed the least, with a precision of 0.757 and ROC-AUC of 0.84.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings provide valuable insights for climate action, particularly in flood risk and exposure, and emphasize the role of urban planning and effective disaster risk reduction strategies in enhancing urban resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100490"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climatic thresholds associated with increased dengue incidence across climate zones in Peru (2001-2022)","authors":"Wil Laura ,&nbsp;Patricia Rivera ,&nbsp;Cristina Davila ,&nbsp;Pierre Velasquez ,&nbsp;Susan Mateo ,&nbsp;Carmen Yon ,&nbsp;Betsabet Valderrama ,&nbsp;Tania Ita Vargas","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Dengue fever has experienced a global rise in incidence and distribution, largely influenced by climate variability. Nonetheless, the specific climatic thresholds that trigger elevated dengue incidence rates, and the time lag between weather conditions and the case surges remain uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Average weekly climate variables along with weekly dengue incidence rates from 2001 and 2022 were analyzed in districts grouped by its climate zone. A cross-correlation technique was used to determine the time lag between climatic variables and dengue incidence, while a fine-tuned regression tree model was utilized to identify climatic thresholds linked to the incidence of dengue surges.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our findings indicate that specific combinations of climatic thresholds within each climate zone are associated with increased dengue incidence rate over a 20-week window, with air temperature having a frequent role. The North Coast had the highest average dengue incidence, with rates surging sevenfold when climatic thresholds were met (56 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The Central Coast and North-High Rainforest zones experienced the most significant increases, with incidence rates rising 53-fold from baseline levels (0.13 cases and 2.4 cases per 100,000, respectively).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study identified distinct climatic thresholds that were met within a 20-week window preceding elevated dengue incidence rates in the six climate zones with the highest dengue prevalence in Peru. These insights enable dengue incidence rates forecasting weeks in advance using climatic data, offering a valuable tool for dengue mitigation and early intervention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heatwaves mortality according to specific causes in Argentinian cities (2005-2019)","authors":"Francisco Chesini ,&nbsp;Matilde Rusticucci","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Heatwaves pose a significant natural threat to human health, with varying impacts on morbidity and mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This study aimed to characterize the risk of mortality associated with heatwaves (HWs), considering specific causes of death in 21 Argentine cities between 2005 and 2019. An ecological observational epidemiological study was conducted using a time series statistical approach, with generalized additive models. Data were sourced from the Ministry of Health and the National Meteorological Service (NMS). Deaths due to cardiovascular (ICD10: I00-I99), respiratory (J00-J99), and renal (N00-N99) causes during HWs and their temporal lags were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In 15 of the 21 cities, a significant increase in mortality was observed for the specific causes analyzed (cardiovascular: 13; respiratory: 10; and renal: 7) during HWs and their lags. Mortality increases were recorded in all regions, including Patagonia, where they were observed in two cities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings of this study will contribute to the development of more effective health promotion and protection policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100549"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prioritizing climate-sensitive zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh: integrating climate hazards, pathogen transmissibility and potential health outcomes","authors":"Adam C. Castonguay ,&nbsp;Sukanta Chowdhury ,&nbsp;Ireen Sultana Shanta ,&nbsp;Bente Schrijver ,&nbsp;Remco Schrijver ,&nbsp;Mohammad Ferdous Rahman Sarker ,&nbsp;Kamal Hossain ,&nbsp;Tushar Kumar Das ,&nbsp;Shiyong Wang ,&nbsp;Ricardo J. Soares Magalhães","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Zoonotic diseases, originating in animals and transmissible to humans, pose significant public health challenges globally. Many of these diseases are strongly influenced by climatic variations and extreme weather events, creating a compounded hazard. Bangladesh, a South Asian country highly vulnerable to climate hazards, is particularly at risk given the diversity of disease vectors and the vulnerability of livestock and human populations. Traditional decision-making frameworks often fail to address the complexities and uncertainties of these interactions, resulting in suboptimal disease prioritization for control interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We present the application of a prioritization protocol for climate-sensitive zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh. Using fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methodology, the prioritization protocol was tailored to the Bangladesh context, leveraging national expert knowledge while accounting for uncertainty in the expert elicitation process.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our findings highlight that warming, precipitation, and floods were the critical climatic hazards, with pathogen evolution and vector population changes as key transmission mechanisms impacted by the identified climate hazards in Bangladesh. Mortality and transmissibility were deemed to be the most significant health outcomes resulting from the transmission mechanisms affected by the key climate hazards. The prioritization process identified Japanese encephalitis, visceral leishmaniasis, Chikungunya, anthrax and dengue as the most climate-sensitive zoonoses.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings contribute to Bangladesh’s risk management processes against climate change in the context of zoonotic infectious threats. The results of the structured expert elicitation process emphasize the value of considering uncertainty in expert responses for improving the reliability, credibility, and usefulness of the elicitation outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100526"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate Change Perceptions Scale for Health and Related Professionals and Students (CCPS-HARPS) – development, reliability and validity","authors":"Ömer Faruk SÖNMEZ ,&nbsp;Aysel BAŞER ,&nbsp;Zeynep SOFUOĞLU","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100589","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100589","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study aims to develop and validate a psychometric tool—the Climate Change Perceptions Scale for Health and Related Professionals and Students (CCPS-HARPS)—to assess the perceptions of health professionals and students regarding climate change and its impacts on health, and to evaluate its reliability and validity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A sequential exploratory mixed-method approach was utilized for the development and validation of CCPS-HARPS. The process included an extensive literature review, expert consultations, and iterative feedback. The initial scale, comprising 37 items, was reduced to 30 items after qualitative analysis. Content validity was assessed using the Lawshe technique, and the final version included 29 items. The scale was pilot-tested among health students at İzmir Democracy University. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed to evaluate construct validity, and internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The sample included 304 valid responses. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.937, and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity confirmed the data's suitability for factor analysis. EFA revealed a three-factor structure (Awareness and Consciousness, Experiences and Effects, and Health and Climate Change) that explained 50.96 % of the total variance. CFA supported the three-factor model with excellent fit indices (RMSEA = 0.045, SRMR = 0.054, CFI = 0.995). Internal consistency was high, with Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega values exceeding 0.90 for the total scale.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The CCPS-HARPS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing climate change perceptions among health professionals and students. It addresses the gap in tools tailored for healthcare-related fields and can inform educational strategies to enhance climate change preparedness. Further studies are recommended to explore its applicability across different cultural and educational settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100589"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health professional and public perspectives on environmentally sustainable healthcare in Trinidad and Tobago","authors":"Loren De Freitas ,&nbsp;Damion Basdeo ,&nbsp;Amanda Seepersad ,&nbsp;Andre Francis ,&nbsp;Han-I Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Strategies for environmentally sustainable healthcare may be informed by considering key perspectives on how the health sector contributes to climate change in the Caribbean. This study assessed the views of health professionals (HP) and general adult public population (PP) on environmentally sustainable healthcare in Trinidad and Tobago (T&amp;T).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional design with a self-administered online survey was used to collect data from participants through convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics summarized the characteristics of the study population and survey responses were based on unweighted data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 799 eligible responses, 52 % were PP and 48 % were HP. Most participants only had some knowledge of the topic (HP 41 %, PP 32 %). Both groups reported practicing general sustainable behaviors more frequently outside of work than at work (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Both groups prioritized energy efficiency measures for sustainable healthcare, including optimizing energy use in healthcare facilities (HP: 88.8 %; PP: 87.4 %) and utilizing renewable energy sources (HP: 85.2 %; PP: 82.9 %). Barriers for HPs included insufficient support from colleagues (65.5 %) and limited knowledge/skills (57.1 %). Factors encouraging sustainability practices included understanding how it fit into professional roles (74 %), benefits to the wellbeing/health of patients (70.9 %), public (68.1 %) and personal (62.9 %), as well as, financial savings (61.3 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although there was limited knowledge among participants on environmentally sustainable healthcare in T&amp;T, participants were concerned about the environmental impact of the health sector and were willing to learn more. Addressing barriers and equipping HP with necessary knowledge and support to practice sustainability in the health sector may require a multidisciplinary approach with emphasis on education and awareness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":75054,"journal":{"name":"The journal of climate change and health","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100587"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}