In 2015, The World Health Organization identified climate change as “the greatest threat to global health.” This exact statement was reiterated by over 200 medical journals including the New England Journal of Medicine in the middle of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The healthcare sector is responsible for one sixth of the US GDP, 8.5 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions, and, a proportionally estimated 23 to 44 million tons of municipal solid waste. Healthcare’s pollution has been so ignored that investors encouraged start-up medical device companies to add single-use components to capture recurring revenue.
On the clinical frontlines, with frequent exposure to issues surrounding care delivery and coordination, we know much waste can be eliminated without impacting patient outcomes. Frustratingly, despite the health implications of pollution, the automotive industry appears to have a more developed plan to address environmental sustainability than the US healthcare industry.
Recently, the healthcare sector has started to recognize its responsibility for planetary and public health. Unhealthy environments lead to unhealthy patients. England's National Health System (NHS) is leading, and in 2020 it committed to becoming the world's first net-zero national health service. With thoughtful regulation, the US healthcare sector can also decarbonize, reduce waste, and improve public health.
The future of healthcare is sustainable healthcare. This is being modeled by the NHS, and can be replicated and improved upon in the US healthcare sector. Our healthcare sector in the US has an historic opportunity to leverage its economic, political, and ethical influence to create a better, healthier future. Below, I look at one potential standard that can catalyze industry-wide action and the barriers that may need to be overcome to realize a more sustainable US healthcare sector.