Planetary Health in Nursing: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Nursing Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Planetary health addresses the health impacts of human disruptions to Earth's systems.
• The nursing profession is increasingly recognized for its potential role in addressing global environmental challenges.
• Understanding the current engagement of nursing literature with planetary health is crucial for future strategic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the extent and nature of 'planetary health' discussions in peer-reviewed nursing literature.
• To identify trends in the publication of planetary health topics within nursing research and practice.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted.
• Searches included major databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science) for English and French publications.
• Inclusion criteria required explicit use of 'planetary health' and 'nursing' or 'nurses'.

Main Results:

• Sixty-eight articles published between 2017 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria.
• The majority of publications were discussion papers, commentaries, and editorials, indicating a nascent research base.
• Most articles represented calls to action for nurses in education, practice, research, and advocacy.

Conclusions:

• Planetary health is an emerging and significant topic within nursing.
• Nurses are urged to take a leading role in advocating for and implementing planetary health strategies.
• There is a critical need to document and disseminate nurses' contributions to planetary health across all professional domains.