Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthcare Professionals toward Climate Change and Health in Minnesota

Madison Kircher, Brenna M. Doheny, Kristin Raab, Emily Onello, Stephanie Gingerich and Teddie Potter
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Madison Kircher: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Brenna M. Doheny: Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
Kristin Raab: Environmental Health Division, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN 55164, USA
Emily Onello: Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
Stephanie Gingerich: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Teddie Potter: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

Challenges, 2022, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Climate change is an urgent public health issue that is impacting health locally and across the world. Healthcare professionals are on the front lines for public health, caring for people affected by climate change; yet few studies have assessed their knowledge and experiences of local climate change effects. The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of the health impacts of climate change in Minnesota from the perspective of healthcare professionals. An electronic survey was administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to a convenience sample of Board-certified nurses and physicians in Minnesota. Seventy-five percent of respondents agreed that climate change is happening, and 60% agreed that it is currently impacting the health of their patients. However, only 21% felt well prepared to discuss climate change, and only 4% discussed climate change with all or most of their patients. Similarly, results from open-ended questions highlighted the importance of climate change and acknowledged the challenges of discussing this topic. While most respondents recognized the health impacts of climate change, they also reported feeling uncomfortable discussing climate change with patients. Thus, there is an opportunity to develop targeted resources to support healthcare professionals in addressing climate change.

Keywords: climate change; public health; healthcare professionals; planetary health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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