Climate change and environmental sustainability in otolaryngology: A state-of-the-art review

Authors

Amanda E. Dilger, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: amanda_dilger@meei.harvard.edu.
Duncan A. Meiklejohn, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
John P. Bent, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Neelima Tummala, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Regan W. Bergmark, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
M Lauren Lalakea, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-6-2024

Journal

The surgeon : journal of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Ireland

DOI

10.1016/j.surge.2024.06.007

Keywords

Air pollution; Climate change; Emissions; Otolaryngology; Sustainability

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Climate change has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the greatest existing threat to human health. Given the direct exposure of the upper aerodigestive system to pollutants, patients in otolaryngology are at high risk for increased disease burden in the setting of climate change and worsening air quality. Given this and the environmental impact of surgical care, it is essential for surgeons to understand their role in addressing climate health through quality-driven clinical initiatives, education, advocacy, and research. METHODS: A state-of-the-art review was performed of the existing literature on the otolaryngologic health impacts of climate change and environmental sustainability efforts in surgery with specific attention to studies in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery. FINDINGS: Climate variables including heat and air pollution are associated with increased incidence of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and head and neck cancer. A number of studies have shown that sustainability initiatives in otolaryngology are safe and provide direct cost benefit. CONCLUSION: Surgeons have the opportunity to lead on climate health and sustainability to address the public health burden of climate change.

APA Citation

Dilger, Amanda E.; Meiklejohn, Duncan A.; Bent, John P.; Tummala, Neelima; Bergmark, Regan W.; and Lalakea, M Lauren, "Climate change and environmental sustainability in otolaryngology: A state-of-the-art review" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5313.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5313

Department

Surgery