Groundbreaking Network Formed to Address Climate Change’s Impact on Healthcare Education

Twenty-five European universities have launched a Network which aims to equip more than 10,000 medical students with the knowledge and skills to respond to the impacts of climate change on human health and deliver more sustainable healthcare.

The European Network on Climate & Health Education (ENCHE), founded by leading medical schools from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, will integrate climate and health teaching into curricula to help medical students recognise, prevent, and treat the increasing burden of the climate crisis on public health, as well as deliver sustainable healthcare solutions.

ENCHE will be chaired by the University of Glasgow and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), alongside leading healthcare organisations through the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force.

As one of the largest health challenges of our time, climate change is increasing pressures on overstretched health systems. Factors such as extreme temperatures and air pollution are exacerbating infectious and chronic diseases, including vector-borne diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and mental health conditions. At the same time, the health sector is contributing to the climate crisis, with approximately five percent of greenhouse gas emissions coming from healthcare.

According to the WHO, 99% of people breathe polluted air and 7 million people die from air pollution each year, while heat-related deaths could triple by 2050 without urgent action. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, marginalised communities and people with pre-existing health conditions, are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, the climate impacts on healthcare infrastructure are undermining people’s access to care around the world.

Currently, medical education does not consistently include teaching on the interconnection of climate and health, with training often relying on the knowledge of individual faculty members and the engagement of student groups.

The ambition of the Network is to provide best-in-class knowledge and skills training across undergraduate degree programmes to address current and future climate-related health threats. In the future, the Network may consider expanding to reach other healthcare professionals and partner in other geographies to support climate resilience across health systems.

The Network will become a regional hub of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The GCCHE will offer expertise and advice to the Network, as well as promote transatlantic collaboration on climate and health education. In its first three years, the European Network aims to train at least 10,000 students across participating universities with the latest scientific and educational resources, and inspire others to join the collaboration.

The Network will also be supported by leading health organisations including AstraZeneca, Bupa, GSK, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sanofi and the WHO as members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force, a public-private collaboration between global pharmaceutical and healthcare company CEOs and leaders committed to accelerating the decarbonisation of health systems.

Professor Iain McInnes, Vice-Principal and Head of College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, and ENCHE Co-Chair, said: “From the spread of infectious diseases to increasingly deadly heatwaves, the health impacts of climate change are becoming ever more dangerous. As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that the next generation of doctors, health professionals and medical leaders have the skills they need to face these challenges and can provide patients with the best care possible. It is my hope that many more institutions will join this network and our mission to protect and improve human health against the backdrop of our changing environment.”

Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said: “The health impacts of climate change are not hypothetical threats in the future; they are right here, and right now. WHO is supporting countries to build climate-resilient and climate-friendly health systems, which includes equipping health workers with the competencies to address this major public health challenge. I welcome the public-private collaboration that has helped galvanize this new educational network, and I hope it will inspire action in other countries and regions around the world.

Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca and Chair of the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force, said: “The climate emergency is the biggest health emergency of our time, and healthcare professionals are on the front line of dealing with the increasing health impacts of climate change. This trailblazing network will help ensure that the next generation of doctors are equipped to respond to changing population health needs and provide more sustainable care to their patients.”

Iñaki Ereño, CEO of Bupa, said: “To deliver the best patient care in a changing climate, we must reimagine healthcare education to focus on prevention and resilience. That’s why as a global healthcare company we are committed to supporting the ENCHE, to equip the next generation of clinicians with the training to navigate and accelerate this important transition.”

Emma Walmsley, CEO of GSK, said: “The science is clear – climate change has a direct impact on human health. That’s why health leaders from across the public and private sectors are coming together to support this transformative new network, equipping the healthcare experts responsible for patient care with the skills to address the health impacts of climate change.”

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, said: “Human health and planetary health are inextricably linked. This new network is a promising opportunity to equip future generations of healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to adapt to the impact of climate change on healthcare. Together, we must respond to the climate challenges of today and tomorrow to build a healthier future for all.”

Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, said: “The students at the medical schools which have joined this Network are the health leaders of the future. With the knowledge to treat the effects of the climate crisis and deliver more sustainable healthcare, they can positively impact thousands of patients, their health systems and the planet.”

The Network invites other universities across Europe to commit to educating the next generation of doctors on the interconnection between climate and health.