Lancaster Physician Winter 2020 - 23

WINTER 2020

R

ecently I heard WGAL state
that the growing season in
Lancaster has increased by 14
days just since 1970. Why is
this a health concern?
A large increase in pollen caused by
a warming planet means higher health
costs for those with allergies and asthma.
Research shows ragweed and other pollens
are growing with the season and increasing
sensitivity. Stanford Medicine states allergy
sufferers make more than 17 million doctor visits a year in the U.S., with asthma
costing an average of $3,300.00 per year
in medical expenses.
Allergies are only one example of the
health changes we are seeing in our patients
from our changing climate. The increasing
seasonal temperature and precipitation patterns are making hot days hotter. The Union
of Concerned Scientists has researched each
Senatorial District for extreme heat. Our
11th District historically has a heat index
of 100°F two days per year. By mid-century
with climate change, the predictions are that
we will experience about 25 days per year,
and by late this century their prediction is
51 days per year at a 100° heat index. This
is, of course, if we do not limit warming to
2°C by significantly decreasing our use of
fossil fuels. Extreme heat is the deadliest
form of environmental disaster in the U.S.
We remember the record-breaking
rain that cluttered large swaths of PA
and Lancaster last year. These threats will
continue to increase as our temperatures
increase, bringing more respiratory and
cardiovascular problems, food and water
contamination, and increased exposure
to infectious diseases. These threats will
only increase as fossil fueled power plants,
transportation systems, and other big polluters continue to pump climate changing
emissions into the air.
Lancastrians can protect themselves
somewhat from these health impacts by
implementing cleaner and more efficient
energy use and preparing more effectively
for future climate-related health challenges.
Pennsylvania's communities and health

Allergies
are only one
example of
the health
changes we are
seeing in our
patients from
our changing
climate.
departments must also have the resources
and capacity to deal with present-day health
threats. I must remind you, Lancaster County does not have a county health department.
The Partnership for Public Health tries to
keep us safe but has no public funds.
In June, the AMA; the AAP; National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine; and The American Heart Association were among a long list of medical
and public health groups that issued a call
to action asking the U.S. government,
businesses, and leaders to recognize climate
change as a health emergency. The WHO
(World Health Organization) calls climate
change "the greatest health challenge of
the 21st century," and more than a dozen
U.S. medical societies urge action to limit
global warming. Some medical societies
provide patients with information that
explains the related health effects, such
as what particulates and ozone in the air
can do and what increasing vectors like
mosquitoes and ticks mean to our health.
It is difficult to bring these environmental
issues up in a 15-minute patient visit, but
they can be life-saving to some, especially
the most vulnerable among us.
Molly Rauch, the Public Health Director
for Moms Clean Air Force, a project of the
Environmental Defense Fund, urges more
than 1 million members to ask doctors and

LANCASTER

23

PHYSICIAN

nurses for guidance. For example, When
should parents keep children indoors
because the outdoor air is too dirty?
Physicians' offices and health corporations can also lower their costs and help
the environment by reducing the carbon
footprint in their practices and buildings.
The AMA offers a simple guide to doing
just that at bit.ly/amatoolkit. The AMA
encourages physicians to serve as role
models for promoting sustainability and
help educate their patients and the public
on green practices.
To further protect human health from the
harms of climate change, I call on our nation's
leaders in government, business, and the
civil sector, including the Lancaster City &
County Medical Society, to heed the call of
health professionals and health organizations
and immediately take steps to limit climate
disruption and build climate resilience.
I call on our leaders to prioritize health
outcomes in climate policy solutions at
all levels of government, business, and the
social sector.
I urge our leaders to support policies
that strengthen commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; transition
away from the use of coal, oil and natural
gas (methane); and transition to zero
carbon transportation systems. Maximize
the energy savings, including billions of
dollars in health benefits (MIT study
at https://www.iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab31d9) that are
available by improving energy efficiency.
Move to sustainable farms and food
systems that focus on optimal soil health
to achieve maximum carbon sequestration
and ensure that everyone has access to safe
drinking water.
Action taken now can and will help prevent the worst impacts of climate change,
have a direct impact on our most vulnerable
communities, and protect the health of all
Lancaster county families. We cannot wait
any longer.
http://www.bit.ly/amatoolkit https://www.iopscience.iop.org/arti
Lancaster Physician Winter 2020

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