B2 Non-refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Interconnectedness of digital health, climate change and respiratory care: navigating an environmentally sustainable path forward
Authors: Lokmic-Tomkin, Zerina; Davies, Shauna; Bhandari, Dinesh; Robinson, Eddie; Manser, Renee; Dunne, Ben; von Gerich, Hanna
Editors: Hilary Pinnock, Vitalii Poberezhets, David Drummond
Publisher: European Respiratory Society
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Ers Monograph
Book title : Digital Respiratory Healthcare
Journal name in source: ERS Monograph
Series title: ERS Monograph
Volume: 2023
First page : 142
Last page: 159
eISBN: 978-1-84984-173-3
ISSN: 2312-508X
eISSN: 2312-5098
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10001523
Web address : https://books.ersjournals.com/content/digital-respiratory-healthcare
Planetary health connects human health to surrounding natural systems reliant on preserving nine planetary boundaries. Excessive fossil-fuel use, plastic consumption and our lifestyles have led to environmental pollution, pushing climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater availability, disrupted nutrient cycles and land use into an uncertain future. Climate change affects respiratory health through increased air pollution, allergen level changes, extreme heat, more frequent bushfires and changes in vector-borne disease distribution. Communities and healthcare systems require innovative solutions to address these challenges. Digital health interventions hold great promise as they support respiratory care by improving access to care, more personalised healthcare plans, therapy adherence, remote monitoring, risk identification and patient education. However, while technologies such as electronic medical records and telemedicine can reduce healthcare emissions, they also contribute to environmental pollution. By designing and delivering digital health services with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, environmentally sustainable production and responsible recycling, a balance between safe quality care and minimal environmental impact is possible.
