Climate Change & Health: What Physicians Should Know

Climate change is one of the biggest global health challenges of our time, and physicians will be on the front lines. Rising temperatures, poor air quality, and shifting disease patterns are already reshaping how doctors care for patients. For students preparing to enter medical school, understanding this connection is part of what it means to practice modern medicine. 

Let’s look at why climate change matters for health, the role physicians play, and how medical schools like American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) are adapting to prepare their students to lead in this urgent area.

Why Climate Change Is a Health Emergency 

Think of climate change as a slow-moving health emergency. It doesn’t look like a single outbreak or a natural disaster. Instead, it’s a steady rise in stressors that push hospitals, clinics, and communities to a breaking point. In fact, the American Medical Association (AMA) formally declared climate change a public health crisis in 2022,and warns that it threatens the health and well-being of all people. 

The Growing Health Impacts of Climate Change 

Record heat waves, stronger hurricanes, and wildfire smoke translate directly into health problems that land patients in hospitals.  

• During heat waves, doctors see spikes in cases of respiratory, dehydration, heatstroke, and cardiac complications. Global heat-related deaths among people over 65 increased by 106% between 1990–99 and 2014–23, in part due to rising temperatures.
• Poor air quality worsens asthma and other respiratory illnesses like COPD, hitting children and older adults the hardest.
• A warmer climate also expands the reach of mosquito- and vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria as well as the Zika virus into regions that have never dealt with them before. The AMA, in its Addressing the Public Health Crisis of Climate Change report, cites vector-borne diseases as among the health risks already observed with climate change. 

Vulnerable Populations Are Most at Risk 

Older adults, children, people with chronic health conditions, and families in low-income communities are often the hardest hit by climate change–induced health issues, according to the AMA report.  

• A child with asthma who lives in a city with polluted air may end up in the hospital far more often than their peers due to the direct connection between air pollution and respiratory health.
• A senior living alone during a heat wave may face life-threatening risks from heatstroke that the younger population might be more resilient to.
• Families in flood-prone areas can suddenly lose safe drinking water, shelter, and access to medical care.  

Climate change widens the gap in health outcomes, making equity a central concern for physicians.

The Role of Physicians in Addressing Climate Change 

Doctors play a vital role in protecting patients and guiding communities. They can advocate for patients and advise them on staying healthy as their environment and living conditions change.  

Educating Patients About Climate Health Risks 

One of the most practical things a physician can do to improve patient healthcare is to help people adapt. Health professionals are in a unique position to advise patients on how their health conditions could be affected by where they live.  

• Is the region experiencing high-smog days? Teach patients with asthma how to manage symptoms.
• When summer heat waves are on the horizon, counsel families on their risks and let them know how to stay safe.
• Extreme weather can trigger complications for people with heart conditions. Help them prepare for those risks, 

Advocacy and Public Health Leadership 

Physicians also have powerful voices beyond the exam room. Many take part in shaping public health policy, calling for clean air laws, supporting sustainable healthcare practices, and working to reduce community risks. Medical organizations like the AMA are already advocating for climate-smart health policy. Future doctors will be part of that movement. 

Preventive and Preparedness Roles 

Doctors spot trends and advise communities before problems happen. This includes: 

• Monitoring disease outbreak and the relationship between infectious disease and climate change.
• Supporting disaster preparedness in medicine and volunteering for emergency response.
• Promoting health equity for vulnerable populations.
• Educating others on the connection between health equity and climate change. 

Living within a community and having an insider’s view of health challenges can make doctors powerful advisors for helping officials allocate resources where they matter most. 

Climate Change in Medical Education 

So where does all of this fit into your journey toward becoming a physician? Right at the beginning. A growing number of medical schools have integrated environmental health and climate science into their curricula, because it directly affects patient care. 

Why Future Physicians Must Learn About Climate Change 

If you don’t understand the health effects of climate change, you risk missing factors that may worsen your patients’ conditions and lead to negative outcomes. That’s why future physicians must have this knowledge from day one. 

Incorporating Global Health and Environmental Medicine 

AUC integrates global health, environmental medicine, and disaster-preparedness training into the learning experience through case-based learning, clinical placements, and real-world application. Students see the human impact through case studies, discussions of environmental justice, and clinical scenarios shaped by the unique needs of the Caribbean region. 

AUC is also affiliated with the Caribbean Center for Disaster Medicine, a center of excellence that brings together professionals involved in healthcare delivery, disaster preparedness, emergency response, and medical education. This partnership exposes students to the realities of coordinating care during crises and strengthens their understanding of community-level health challenges. 

Additionally, AUC’s Disaster Medicine Interest Group (DMIG) gives students who are interested in the medical side of disaster response the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. DMIG works closely with local EMS and community partners in Sint Maarten and offers training sessions on topics such as first aid, mass casualty response, and how to control life-threatening bleeding.  

While emergency medicine is a key part of disaster response, DMIG emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach—helping students build a broad skill set that reflects the diverse roles involved in real-world disaster situations. 

Preparing Students for Leadership Roles 

Beyond patient care, climate change demands physician leaders. The students of today will be tomorrow’s researchers, advocates, and collaborators, working across fields like public health, policy, and international medicine. Training for this leadership starts in medical school.  

Do you aspire to leadership and advocacy in your community? If so, you may be a good fit for AUC. Learn more about our admissions requirements today.

How AUC Prepares Students for Climate-Related Health Challenges 

AUC School of Medicine integrates conversations around global health, connecting classroom learning with current challenges like climate change. Students explore how environmental issues affect populations worldwide, building the foundation for patient-centered, globally relevant care. 

Clinical Rotations With Public Health Relevance 

During clinical training, students often rotate in settings where public health and climate change intersect. Whether it’s a community hospital serving vulnerable populations or a facility preparing for hurricane season, students see firsthand how climate change affects healthcare systems. 

Research and Advocacy Opportunities 

Students also have opportunities to join research projects, advocacy efforts, and international programs focused on health equity and global challenges. These experiences prepare graduates not just to practice medicine but to lead in addressing climate-related health issues. Our scholarship and research opportunities reflect this focus, supporting students who will go on to serve vital community medicine roles.

Outlook: Medicine in a Changing Climate 

So, what does this mean for your future as a physician? It means opportunity and responsibility. 

Physician Leadership in Global Health Emergencies 

Physicians are already used to stepping into leadership roles during health emergencies. Climate change will only increase that need. Doctors who understand both medicine and environmental health will be uniquely positioned to lead. 

Opportunities in Public Health, Research, and Policy 

Climate change is opening new pathways in medicine. Physicians may find themselves working in public health agencies, leading global research, or advising policymakers on healthcare resilience. These roles expand the physician’s reach into shaping healthier communities. 

Building Resilience in Healthcare Systems 

Every healthcare system, from rural clinics to major hospitals, will need to adapt to climate change. Physicians will play a central role, helping systems prepare for extreme weather, disease outbreaks, and patient surges. For aspiring medical students, that means shaping the future of healthcare itself.

Ready to Step Into the Future of Medicine? 

Climate change is reshaping medicine, and future doctors will need both medical knowledge and global perspective to meet the challenge. At AUC School of Medicine, students are already training with this in mind, through curriculum, rotations, research, and advocacy. 

If you’re ready to prepare for a career that goes beyond the clinic and makes an impact on global health, request more information from AUC or reach out to our admissions team to start the conversation.