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Climate Change, Kidney Health, and Environmentally Sustainable Kidney Care
Key Points A multinational survey of health care professionals on the kidney health impacts of climate change and the environmental burden of kidney care was conducted.Most participants reported knowledge gaps and high level of concern on these interconnected issues.Only a minority report personal or organizational initiatives in environmentally sustainable kidney care; this did not vary by country income level. Background Given the threat of climate change to kidney health and the significant environmental effect of kidney care, calls are increasing for health care professionals and organizations to champion climate advocacy and environmentally sustainable kidney care. Yet, little is known about their engagement, and existing literature is primarily emerging from high-income countries. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health care professionals on the interconnectedness of climate change and kidney health; to identify personal and organizational initiatives in sustainable kidney care and strategies to increase their engagement; and to compare responses by their country's income level as classified by the World Bank. Results Participants (n=972) represented 108 countries, with 64% from lower- or middle-income countries. Ninety-eight percent believed that climate change is happening, yet <50% possessed knowledge about the effect of climate change on kidney health or the environmental effect of kidney care. Only 14% were involved in climate change and kidney health initiatives (membership, knowledge/awareness, research, and advocacy), 22% in sustainable kidney care initiatives (education/advocacy, preventative nephrology, sustainable dialysis, promoting transplant/home therapies, and research), and 26% reported organizational initiatives in sustainable kidney care (sustainable general or dialysis practices, preventative/lean nephrology, and focused committees). Participants from lower-income countries generally reported higher knowledge and variable level of concern. Engagement in sustainable kidney care did not vary by income level. Guidance/toolkit (79%), continuing education (75%), and opportunities (74%) were the top choices to increase engagement. National initiatives (47%), preventative measures (35%), and research endeavors (31%) were the top avenues for organizational engagement. These varied by income level, suggesting that the vision and priorities vary by baseline resource setting. Conclusions We have identified knowledge and practice gaps among health care professionals on the bidirectional relationship between kidney disease and climate change in a multinational context and several avenues to increase their engagement.
- University of Bristol United Kingdom
- Chinese University of Hong Kong China (People's Republic of)
- Hospital Authority China (People's Republic of)
- George Institute for Global Health Australia
- Imperial College London United Kingdom
Male, Climate Change, Health Personnel, diversity, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, business of nephrology, health equity, and inclusion, health policy, social health justice, community engagement and health, clinical nephrology, social determinants of health, Kidney Diseases, Female, CKD non-dialysis
Male, Climate Change, Health Personnel, diversity, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, business of nephrology, health equity, and inclusion, health policy, social health justice, community engagement and health, clinical nephrology, social determinants of health, Kidney Diseases, Female, CKD non-dialysis
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).3 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Top 10% influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Average impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Average
