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

• 2021

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• Benjamin Gutschow; Brendan Gray; Maya Ragavan; Perry Sheffield; Rebecca Philipsborn; Sandra Jee
PMID: 34238692DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2021.101028

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This article advocates that pediatric providers need to enhance their understanding of structural determinants of health to address the intersection of climate change and child health disparities. Climate injustice disproportionately affects low-income and communities of color through exposure to harmful pollutants and degraded infrastructure. The text highlights the impact of structural racism, climate change, and health disparities on children. Case studies illustrate how climate change exacerbates existing inequities. Pediatricians are urged to promote health equity, center family voices, and advocate for patient needs. Recommendations include a healing-centered engagement approach and actions at personal, clinic-based, and community levels to dismantle structural injustices and support child health.

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Tags

Hazards: Severe Weather; Trauma

Audience: Physicians

Emergency Management Stages: Response; Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Health Promotion; Social Justice; Racism; Climate Change; Health Equity

Institutions: Casa San Jose; Emory University; University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; University of Pittsburgh; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; University of Rochester

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