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The Intersection of Climate and Equity in Clinical Pediatric Practice
Shalini H Shah1, Ella Whitman2, Diane Story1
1Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Environmental health inequities worsen climate-related health harms, particularly for children. This study offers strategies for pediatric health care professionals to integrate climate action and health equity into clinical practice, protecting child health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Climate change impacts
- Health equity
Background:
- Environmental health inequities exacerbate climate crisis health harms.
- Climate change poses significant risks to public health, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
- Integrating health equity into climate action is crucial for effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the intersection of health equity and the climate crisis.
- To provide practical strategies for integrating climate considerations into clinical practice.
- To highlight equitable approaches for addressing climate change in pediatric health care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on environmental health inequities and climate-related harms.
- Analysis of existing climate-informed educational tools and screening programs.
- Case study examples of integrating health equity principles in climate interventions.
Main Results:
- Environmental inequities are a significant driver of climate-related health disparities.
- Climate-informed education, screening, and public health partnerships are effective strategies.
- Successful interventions prioritize health equity in design and implementation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric health care professionals can play a vital role in addressing the climate crisis.
- Integrating health equity into climate action is essential for protecting children's health.
- Multifaceted approaches involving clinical settings and communities are necessary for climate resilience.
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