Toward a Climate-Ready Health Care System: Institutional Motivators and Workforce Engagement.

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Healthcare policy
• Climate change adaptation

Background:

• The US healthcare system faces significant pressure to address climate change.
• Healthcare institutions and professionals are vital for climate readiness.
• Existing policies and educational frameworks require adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the essential role of motivated institutions and an engaged healthcare workforce in creating a climate-ready US healthcare system.
• To identify profession-specific opportunities for healthcare workers to mitigate climate change.
• To recommend policy changes addressing institutional barriers and incentives for climate readiness.

Main Methods:

• Policy analysis
• Literature review on climate change and healthcare
• Stakeholder engagement in healthcare policy development

Main Results:

• Healthcare workers have diverse opportunities to address climate change causes and impacts.
• Institutional barriers hinder climate readiness efforts.
• Incentives and educational integration are key policy recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Motivated institutions and an engaged workforce are fundamental for a climate-ready US healthcare system.
• Policy interventions are necessary to overcome barriers and foster climate readiness.
• Integrating climate change education into healthcare curricula is essential for long-term adaptation.