A team of state doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals has launched a new group aimed at combating climate change.
The group, Connecticut Health Professionals for Climate Action (CHPCA), is on a mission to educate health providers, policymakers and the public about the health impacts of climate change. The group will also advocate for changes to provide immediate health improvements and reduce health disparities, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Sanjiv Godse, pediatrician and CHPCA chair, said the group is focused on helping make Connecticut a healthier place.
“As a pediatrician, I treat many children with asthma, and there is no doubt that poor air quality related to climate change is a major cause,” Godse said. “We are looking forward to educating other health care professionals and policy makers in Connecticut to take bold action to protect public health.”
CHPCA founder, Dr. Mark Mitchell, former Hartford Health Department director and an associate professor at George Mason University, said educating fellow healthcare professionals on the health impacts of climate change is a necessity.
“It is critical to have physicians and all health professionals aware of the full spectrum of diseases related to climate change and to engage in supporting policies that not only mitigate these impacts but also promote resiliency and adaptation,” Mitchell said.
Dr. Kirsten Ek, a UCONN faculty member and physician, said addressing climate change is fundamental to health, for us now and in the future for our descendants.
“It is our duty as health professionals to advocate for bold policy action and I’m thrilled to be a part of this group,” Ek said.
Anne Hulick, who is on the steering committee of the National Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, and Connecticut director of Clean Water Action, concurred.
“As a nurse who worked for over two decades in cardiology and critical care, I took care of so many patients with serious cardiac and respiratory diseases,” Hulick said. “While we did a good job taking care of people when they were sick, it was always frustrating that we didn’t connect what we’re doing to the environment with public health impacts.”
Godse applauded efforts by Gov. Ned Lamont and the state legislature for working towards decarbonizing Connecticut, but said more must be done in order to make a real difference.
“We must work together and continue this progress to make certain that our message gets across: Climate change is a health emergency,” Godse said.
CHPCA is the Connecticut Affiliate of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, the largest climate and health organization in the United States. Connecticut is the 27th state network affiliate of the Consortium. For more information visit https://www.connecticuthpca.org.
