Emory's Intersections journal showcases educational initiatives on the impacts of climate change

The effects of climate change are well documented across all aspects of human health. These impacts are of special concern to future health professionals and the people who train them. Now a recently released special edition of Intersections: The Education Journal of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center explores educational initiatives within the Emory health professional schools and Emory Healthcare that address climate change. Seven manuscripts reflecting the work of 33 faculty, staff, and current and former student authors offer insight into this expanding area of focus in health education.

“Collectively, [these manuscripts] underscore the opportunity – and imperative – for educators, students and clinicians to collaborate across health professions and disciplines to meet patient and community health needs during the climate crisis,” say guest editors Rebecca Philipsborn, MD, MPA, of Emory University School of Medicine; Doris (Jeannie) Rodriguez, PhD, RN, of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing; and Noah Scovronick, PhD, of the Rollins School of Public Health. The issue, which can be found here includes the following manuscripts:

• A Novel Multidisciplinary Environmental Justice Workshop for First Year Medical Students: A multi-disciplinary workshop engages first-year medical students in understanding the physician’s role in mitigating health inequities exacerbated by climate change.
• Assessing First-Year Medical Students’ Application of Climate Change and Pulmonary Health Knowledge on an End-of-Course Exam: An assessment of climate change course content informs targeted revisions to enhance medical students’ understanding of the relationship between air pollution and pulmonary health.
• Bridging Climate Change and Pharmacology: Evaluating Impact on Student Knowledge:A pilot study evaluating the integration of climate change education into an Advanced Pharmacology course notes significant improvements in students’ knowledge about drug classes affecting sweating.
• Co-Creation and Co-Benefits: Incorporating Planetary Health Education into a Primary Care Clerkship: Integration of climate and environmental health education content into an existing Adult Primary Care clerkship leads to activities emphasizing the impact of environmental exposures on COPD and the ways in which plant-based diets benefit both patient and planetary health.
• Extending Co-creation From Implementation to Evaluation: Faculty Perspectives of a Climate Change and Environmental Health Medical School Curriculum: Students and faculty engage in meaningful collaboration to co-create a Climate Change and Environmental Health preclinical curriculum reflecting the insights and expertise of both learners and faculty.
• The Incorporation of Environmental Health in the Emergency Medicine Clerkship: An OSCE Assessment: Updates to an existing emergency medicine Observed Structured Clinical Examination assess learners on their retention and application of climate change and environmental health knowledge and skills related to illness resulting from extreme heat driven by climate change.
• Translating Climate and Health Research into Action: A Webinar Series on Heat-Related Health Risks: Emory’s Climate and Health Actionable Research and Translation Center develops a free, open-access webinar series to enhance understanding of the health risks associated with heat exposure in urban areas and to translate that knowledge into action.

“At this critical juncture – when adapting to climate change and mitigating its health-related harms are urgent priorities – the Emory Woodruff Health Sciences Center and Emory Healthcare are uniquely positioned to bridge academic inquiry and clinical operations,” say Philipsborn, Rodriguez and Scovronick. “By designing and implementing innovative educational interventions, they can prepare future clinicians both to respond to climate-related health challenges and to deliver more environmentally sustainable care.”