- Experts raise alarm over climate change’s dire effects on global emergency medical services
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – A panel of international experts in emergency medicine has issued a stark warning regarding the substantial threats posed by climate change to emergency services globally. Alarmingly, many nations have yet to evaluate the extent of this impact or develop actionable plans to address it.
During a pivotal session at the European Emergency Medicine Congress, findings were presented from a comprehensive survey conducted among 42 focus groups comprised of specialists in emergency medicine, prehospital care, and disaster response from 36 countries across 13 UN regions. This research aims to illuminate the levels of awareness and preparedness concerning climate change within the emergency medical community.
Survey results are set to be published in an upcoming edition of a leading medical journal.
“Participants rated the severity of climate change impacts on health systems and emergency care at an average score of 7 on a scale of 0 to 9,” noted a spokesperson for the congress. “This rating is particularly concerning, especially as regions like northern Europe perceive it as less pressing compared to areas such as Australia.”
“The consensus among focus groups was clear: climate change’s adverse effects on emergency medical services could be as severe, if not more so, than on global health systems. However, only 21 percent reported any assessments on the impact of climate change on these services, and a mere 38 percent indicated preparedness measures had been implemented.”
“Our findings revealed that 62 percent of respondents stated their governments had not evaluated the impact of climate change on emergency services, while 55 percent reported insufficient preparatory actions,” the spokesperson added.
“It’s alarming to discover the lack of awareness across numerous countries, including among key emergency medicine organizations. There seems to be little concern despite the impending impacts that will affect both wealthy and developing nations alike.”
Experts also highlighted a key finding indicating a universal acknowledgment of the necessity to enact measures to mitigate climate change. Notably, there is a pressing need to enhance emergency medicine services, educational programs, and research initiatives.
“Emergency medical professionals worldwide share serious concerns regarding climate change’s impact on their ability to provide care. Our report illustrates that while the issues differ regionally, the overall sentiment is one of significant apprehension,” stated one of the panel’s leading experts.
The research gathered feedback between February 15 and March 15, 2024, asking various emergency medicine associations to form focus groups to address critical questions related to climate change awareness and its potential hazards on emergency medical departments. Concerns highlighted included pollution, flooding, and heatwaves, which were classified as major risks, while cold spells, wildfires, and diseases linked to vectors were recognized as minor threats.
Responses from high-income countries reflected heightened worry about heatwaves and their potential to overwhelm emergency medical services, with education and strategic planning cited as vital actions for risk mitigation. In contrast, focus groups from lower-income nations pointed to food production and health service disruption as primary concerns.
Regional analyses indicated that countries in Australasia and Eastern Europe foresee a greater impact from climate change, while contrasting views emerged in nations like Egypt and Nigeria, which anticipate relatively lower effects.
“Our findings clearly demonstrate that climate change is poised to significantly disrupt emergency medical services,” the spokesperson emphasized. “There is an urgent need for enhanced awareness at both national and international levels among policymakers and the public alike.”
“We call on nations to implement comprehensive strategies to address climate change’s repercussions on emergency medical services. Furthermore, a permanent working group will be established to monitor and encourage actions that mitigate these effects,” the spokesperson concluded. “The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, given the ongoing climate crisis impacting countries irrespective of their economic status.”
