A Framework for the Field: Responding to Climate Change and Its Impacts on Patients
Following earlier CAPC coverage on the role of palliative care in addressing the climate crisis, an article published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care goes further by proposing a formal framework for how the field can respond to the threat of climate change on people living with serious illness, who are particularly vulnerable to its impacts. The authors argue that hospice and palliative care professionals are well-positioned to contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation, drawing on their strengths in navigating difficult conversations, interdisciplinary collaboration, and person-centered care. They propose strategies at the individual, organizational, and societal levels, leveraging specialized communication skills to advocate for policies that address climate change and public health, and empower the field to respond.