Climate justice is a health issue

[6 MIN READ]

In this article:

• Climate change is a health issue that harms well-being in a variety of ways – from the direct impacts of heat exposure and air pollution to the indirect effects of civil unrest and food insecurity. 

• Climate change also doesn’t impact people equally. Often, those that contribute the least to climate change are harmed the most.

• Health care is a major contributor to climate change because of the pollution it creates. But the sector also has unique opportunities to provide equitable solutions to improve climate justice. 

Climate change poses a threat to the health of communities. In fact, this danger has been called the “greatest global health threat facing the world” this century. However, climate change also offers an opportunity to build an equitable approach to health and care for communities impacted by these harms. 

From direct impacts like heat exposure, air pollution and extreme storms to indirect dangers like food insecurity, mental health challenges and civil unrest, climate change impacts human health in a variety of ways. As an anchor institution serving communities that have been harmed by climate change, Providence has witnessed incidents of heat-related death, illness from air pollution and traumatic injuries from other extreme events like storms, wildfires and floods that are becoming even more common.

“Providence has long been committed to prioritizing care for those who are historically underrepresented and vulnerable,” says Ali Santore, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Providence. “Proactive planning for climate resilience is a crucial outgrowth of this commitment."

At its core, climate change is a justice issue because of the dangers it poses for vulnerable communities. As an organization, Providence is committed to justice and equity and is working to level this field by building more resilient communities.

Climate impacts people differently

Historically, those that have contributed least to climate change have been impacted the most by its dangers. Climate change poses a threat to everyone's health because it affects air and water quality as well as access to food and shelter. But socially and economically disadvantaged groups, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented and vulnerable, are most in danger. There are racial and gender inequities that lead to health risks, as well as harm to people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, the very old and the very young.  

“The health-related impacts of climate change are not equally distributed, and they impact people who are least able to protect themselves the hardest,” says Santore. “This is both a health equity issue and a climate justice issue.” 

During or after extreme climate events, these communities often do not have equitable access to resources that can support their health. For example, extreme weather can inflame chronic conditions like heart disease or asthma. High heat can harm people who primarily work outdoors. And those living in housing without proper cooling or filtration can be exposed to dangerous heat and poor air quality. 

Providence understands the risks in the communities we serve, including which neighborhoods are exposed to heat and industrial pollution and where wildfire smoke and natural pollution pools. That knowledge can lead to action during dangerous climate events. For example, during a heat wave in Portland in 2021, Providence delivered air conditioning units to patients caregivers knew were at risk based on their health records. We also shared resources to help patients find cooling centers close to home to prevent them from being exposed to high heat for too long. 

“If we know extreme weather is coming in advance, even a few days, we can help people protect themselves,” says Santore. “We are partnering with communities to be able to better serve people. It all goes back to our mission that we care for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

Climate justice sits at the intersection of Providence’s health equity and resiliency work. In 2020, we made a strong commitment to health equity, including work to overcome the challenges posed by climate change to vulnerable communities. 

“We believe every person deserves the chance to live their healthiest life,” says Santore. “We also recognize that long-standing inequities and systemic injustices exist in the world which have led to health disparities in the communities we serve. That’s why we are committed to partnering with community organizations to develop data-informed health equity strategies and implement proven practices to resolve the root causes of these health disparities.”

Health care’s role in addressing the climate crisis

While climate change is more than just a healthcare issue, healthcare institutions are, unfortunately, also contributors to the climate crisis. That’s because health care contributes 8.5% of the nation’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. As a system, Providence recognizes the crucial role we play in curbing this crisis, which is why we are working to reduce emissions to slow global warming and prevent further harm in our communities. 

“Health care is in a unique position to address both mitigation and suffering for our patients and the communities we serve,” says Santore. “We have a real opportunity to assess and address risks to vulnerable communities caused by our warming climate.”

As an anchor organization in many of the communities we serve, Providence collaborates with city, county, state and national leaders on building more resilient communities. This planning helps us make progress toward our goal of increasing health equity, including through projects focusing on food security, transit access and community support. 

Providence is committed to partnering with community leaders to help prepare for climate-related challenges, provide essential services during extreme events and aid in recovery. We are also educating those we serve on the health risks of climate change and how to stay safe. 

“As we continue to face challenges from the climate crisis, the voice of health care is an important one because of our health knowledge, roles as anchors in our communities and commitment to the patients we serve,” says Santore. “But we can’t do this alone: The key is listening to the voices of those we are trying to serve. We need that collaboration and partnership because we don’t have all the answers. The best solutions come from partners and community members and it is our role to amplify their voices and be advocates for them.”

You can learn more about Providence’s efforts to combat climate change through these resources: 

• Providence Center for Environmental Stewardship
• Environmental Justice at Providence
• Providence Climate Action Plan 

Contributing caregiver

Ali Santore is the executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Providence.

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Related resources

Curbing the impacts of climate on health

Caring for our common home: Environmental stewardship at Providence 

Celebrating stewardship: Honoring Practice Greenhealth winners

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.