Pharmacy Interns' Perception of Climate Change and Its Impact on Health

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pharmacy Practice
• Public Health

Background:

• Climate change poses significant threats to global health and well-being.
• Limited literature exists on U.S. pharmacists' and student pharmacists' perspectives on climate change.
• The pharmacy profession has potential roles in patient care, sustainability, and advocacy related to climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Ohio pharmacy interns' knowledge and beliefs about climate change and human health.
• To assess the perceived relevance of climate change to pharmacy practice and education among interns.
• To compare intern perceptions with those of previously surveyed Ohio pharmacists.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous 31-item electronic survey was distributed to 500 Ohio pharmacy interns.
• Survey questions covered climate change, health, policy, pharmacist roles, and education.
• Data analysis involved descriptive and nonparametric statistics, with comparisons to a prior pharmacist study.

Main Results:

• 92 interns completed the survey; most acknowledged climate change (87%) and its health impacts (68%).
• Interns perceived climate change as relevant to pharmacy practice (62%) and identified more roles in climate action than pharmacists.
• 62% agreed on the need for more climate change and health education in pharmacy curricula.

Conclusions:

• A majority of surveyed Ohio pharmacy interns recognized climate change's health effects and their potential roles in mitigation.
• Interns expressed a desire for increased education on climate change and health within their pharmacy programs.
• Findings suggest student pharmacists are prepared to engage in climate action, advocating for enhanced educational integration.