Health Care and Sustainability: As heatwaves, wildfires, atmospheric rivers, tropical storms and hurricanes continue to increase in intensity, along with severe environmental pollution, so does resulting health care implications. Many experts in health care are calling for more attention on a rather underrepresented side effect of climate change. In 2019, UC San Diego Health launched the region’s first — and only — health care program focused solely on sustainability and named its first-ever medical director of sustainability in 2022.

This month, the University of California Health System launched clinician toolkits for climate hazards such as wildfires, floods and air pollution to create awareness among staff, physicians, nurses and patients of the health impacts of climate change. In observance of Earth Day, April 22, experts with UC San Diego Health are available to discuss how these toolkits will help patients here in San Diego and provide more information on other sustainable health care efforts in place. Newswise/SP