The intersection of pediatrics, climate change, and structural racism: Ensuring health equity through climate justice

Benjamin Gutschow, Brendan Gray, Maya I. Ragavan, Perry E. Sheffield, Rebecca Pass Philipsborn, Sandra H. Jee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding and intervening at the intersection of climate change and child health disparities require pediatric providers to broaden their competency with structural determinants of health – even in the clinic. The environmental effects of climate change at the community level intersect in complex ways with structural racism and social influences of health. Climate injustice is further evident in policies and practices that disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color through exposure to harmful pollutants from industrial plants, heavy vehicular traffic, and flooding waterways, as well as to harm from degraded civic infrastructure such as leaking water lines and unsafe bridges. To support child health, pediatric providers must recognize the environmental health harms posed to children and multiplied by climate change as well as identify opportunities to center the voices of families and communities to dismantle these inequities. In this article, three case examples demonstrate the links between structural racism, climate change and child health. We then use a healing centered engagement approach to offer specific suggestions for how pediatric providers can actively promote health and resilience, advocate for patient needs, and contribute to efforts to change structural racism in existing practices and institutions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101028
JournalCurrent Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

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