Medicine & Climate Change

A free public service for a better community

Alan Unell Ph.D.

Nov 13, 2023

Why Are We Advocates

Because we all deserve to live in a country where we can make the country, and healthcare work for all of us.

Comments, suggestions, and research topics are greatly appreciated via comment button.

Climate Change - Medical Systems Can Help

Here is a recent article in Medpage Today about how the medical industry can help with greenhouse gas emissions. The story focused on an online event sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

The U.S. health system accounts for 8.5% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, a larger percentage than any other country in the world, according to Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH, president of the Commonwealth Fund.

Michael Roberts, the director of energy services at Atrium Health has commented that hospitals have several big targets to choose from when it comes to saving energy and that energy is 94% of the actual emissions that hospitals emit.

Several targets were identified at a recent conference on reducing the medical industries carbon footprint. 1) Put radiation equipment into standby mode when not in use and 2) stop ventilating operating rooms for cleanliness when unused 3) LED lightbulbs instead of fluorescent or incandescent.

Atrium who operates 40 hospitals, has signed onto the HHS Climate Pledge, which calls for participating healthcare systems to reduce organizational emissions by a minimum of 50% by 2030 -- from a baseline no earlier than 2008 -- and achieve net-zero by 2050. An audit will help identify targets. Hospitals are aiming for payback in less than 5 years. HHS is also promoting the use of Inflation Reduction Act funds for "greening" healthcare facilities.

I’m glad people are thinking about it.

As an aside our family has replaced all bulbs with LEDs years ago for a 45% savings , and put in heat pump heating and cooling and hot water systems in our current home. Our bills are negligible, so I know this works. PS the solar panels on the roof drop the cost as well and will be paid for in just a few more years so I know this works.

Why Electrify Course Available Nov 14

The nonprofit Rewiring America, which is known for its IRA Calculator (let’s take a look!) is offering “Why Electrify,” a free online course designed for “electrification beginners and newbies,” according to their email blast. This brief video gives a sense of what will be covered. The course takes place Tuesday, November 14, 2PM to 3:30PM ET. Let’s sign up and learn about electrifying our homes, for ourselves and for the planet. (Thanks to Rogan’s List)

Quick Action

Let a hospital near you know about hos they can save money, and the environment by sending them this news story. Here is the link. https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/environmentalhealth/107290. You can find nearby hospitals with this link.

LDL Out of Control - Good News Coming

Many of us have LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) - bad cholesterol numbers that are too high. It is important to get the numbers under control. Adding dietary fiber, taking supplements, not eating lots of animal fat or cheese (my personal issue) can all help. Some people have genetically high numbers irrespective of their diet and exercise.

A new study is investigating whether gene editing techniques can lower LDL levels for life.

According to interim results of the heart-1 proof-of-concept study, the 10 participants with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) showed dose-dependent reductions in blood PCSK9 protein and LDL cholesterol after getting the VERVE-101 CRISPR therapy. In the single patient receiving the highest dose of the gene editing therapy, LDL cholesterol fell by 55% and the blood PCSK9 protein level went down by 47%. LDL reduction stayed durable out to 6 months in this individual, it was reported at the American Heart Association (AHA) annual meeting.

You may be familiar with CRISPR gene editing technology. Here is an NPR story where it was used to cure sickle cell anemia.

Watch this space - this is so cool.

Texas and Florida Politicians Care Little for Residents

These states have already relegated women to 2nd class status by not allowing them to make their own healthcare choices. They have chosen to fight back against vaccinations for COVID 19 and are undermining COVID 19 vaccination efforts.

A rule added to Texas’ budget that went into effect Sept. 1 forbids health departments and other organizations funded by the state government to advertise, recommend, or even list covid vaccines alone. “Clinics may inform patients that COVID-19 vaccinations are available,” the rule allows, “if it is not being singled out from other vaccines.”

Florida is also an extreme case, where the health department has issued guidance against covid vaccines that runs counter to scientific studies and advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Think it doesn’t matter - think again. A study published in July found that Republicans and Democrats in Ohio and Florida died at roughly similar rates before covid vaccines emerged, but a disparity between parties grew once the first vaccines were widely available in 2021 and uptake diverged. By year’s end, Republicans had a 43% higher rate of excess deaths than Democrats.

Here is a link to the full story.

Personal Action

Get vaccinated for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV if available. Take friends and family with you fo a vaccination party - at least recommend it. Me, I always like get ice cream after a vaccination.

RESOURCES

Healthcare Advocacy (Us)

Website

Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare

Healthcare Advocacy Reading List

Find My Elected Officials

Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Contact State and Federal Representatives

Important Healthcare Resources

League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit

Organizations to Contact

National Nurses United Medicare4All

Physicians for a National Health Program

One Payer States

Healthcare Now

Reproductive Health

NARAL - Pro Choice America

Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion

Planned Parenthood

Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.

United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.

Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.