Diagnostic Excellence in the Context of Climate Change: A Review

https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(24)00403-0/fulltext Improving diagnostic practices can reduce diseases linked to climate change while also reducing waste and emissions, according to an AHRQ-supported article that examined diagnostic excellence in the context of climate change. The article, published in The American Journal of Medicine, observed that climate change has led to a rise in heat-related illnesses and the spread of diseases, causing worse physical and mental health outcomes. At the same time, the healthcare industry is responsible for about 4.6 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Practices like overtesting and overdiagnosis are not only unnecessary but also add to emissions and waste, the authors said. The authors called for a shift in how clinicians approach diagnosis, especially as new or more common diseases emerge due to climate change.