Impact of Environmental Determinants of Health on Access to Surgical Care

Environmental determinants significantly impact the health of individuals and populations contributing to increased rates of traumatic injuries, higher cancer incidence, and disruptions in access to healthcare systems and surgical services. Additionally, the healthcare industry contributes significantly to climate change, negatively impacting the earth's environment in both developed and developing nations. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires cause destruction of hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and even supply chain facilities, hindering patient access to surgical care. These impacts were recently evidenced by the recent hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck the Southeast US, hindering access and delivery of surgical care. Damage to infrastructure caused by hurricanes can compromise emergency response efforts, limiting access to essential services, and interrupting healthcare delivery. The increase in traumatic injuries because of natural disasters, coupled with damage to infrastructure, places an additional strain on healthcare systems' ability to provide essential and critical care. While the direct immediate effects of natural disasters and other environmental determinants can be substantial, a decrease in regular and consistent access to healthcare can lead to a long-term decline in community health. Continuous evaluation of cultural and environmental factors that impact the health care system's capacity to provide care is necessary to inform interventions to improve the health system's ability to adapt to provide continued access to care and serve the surgical community.