Leveraging Hospital Community Benefit Activities to Address Climate Change and Environmental Risks
- Abstract
The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and community benefit implementation strategies provide a framework to support community activities that address local health priorities and climate change or other environmental risks. Many think of climate change as an energy issue because the discussion focuses on reducing fossil fuels and greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, as greenhouse gas emissions increase we are witnessing environmental changes with far-reaching health implications, including some commonly prioritized in CHNAs (e.g., chronic diseases linked to obesity, cardiovascular risks, mental health, and asthma / respiratory risks). This paper identifies example community benefit activities that address common local health priorities and also mitigate climate change or generate environmental benefits. The examples are provided in four tables focusing on: 1) obesity / diabetes / cardiovascular risks (combined because community benefit activities can address multiple risks); 2) substance abuse; 3) asthma; and 4) access to health care.
- Resource Type
- Report
- Authors
- Health Care Without Harm Practice Greenhealth
- Institution
- Health Care Without Harm
- Organization Type
- Ngo
- Health and Human Impact
- Overview/general
- Climate and Environmental Impact
- Overview/general
- Other
- Health impact assessment