Climate change poses a significant threat to human health

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and stated challenges and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2024 and 2026, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 18 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 5 representative gaps

• Climate change and professional responsibility: a cross-sectional survey among German general practitioners (2026) · BMC Medical Ethics · doi

  There is a lack of empirical evidence on how general practitioners perceive and address climate- and environment-related issues in daily clinical practice. There is a need to investigate the role of physicians in climate protection.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there lack empirical evidence general practitioners perceive address
• Mapping the availability of climate and health education in European schools of public health: a baseline assessment for indicator development (2026) · International Journal of Public Health · doi

  Climate change poses a significant threat to human health. The health sector remains under-prepared to address climate-related health issues. There is a need for strengthening climate-resilient health systems through education.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: climate change poses significant threat human health sector
• Reassessing ‘good’ medical practice and the climate crisis (2024) · Journal of Medical Ethics · cited 9× · doi

  The latest updates to Good Medical Practice do not go far enough in specifying the duties for doctors in responding to climate and ecological emergencies. There is a need for a stronger commitment from the medical regulator to ensure doctors learn, understand, and advocate for sustainable healthcare. The health implications of the climate crisis and the harms associated with high-emission healthcare are not adequately addressed in the updated guidelines.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: latest updates good medical practice far enough specifying
• Reassessing ‘good’ medical practice and the climate crisis (2024) · Journal of Medical Ethics · cited 9× · doi

  The paper identifies the challenge of ensuring doctors learn, understand, and advocate for sustainable healthcare. The challenge of addressing the health implications of the climate crisis and the harms associated with high-emission healthcare is highlighted. The paper notes the challenge of balancing the need for environmental sustainability with the need for patient welfare.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: paper identifies challenge ensuring doctors learn understand advocate
• Patient knowledge and views on the health impacts of climate change in primary care: a cross-sectional survey study (2026) · Frontiers in Climate · doi

  Introduction Primary care physicians recognize the health impacts of climate change and are well positioned to counsel patients on these risks, but little is known about patient awareness or willingness to engage in climate-related discussions.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: climate introduction primary care physicians recognize health impacts change well positioned counsel patients risks little

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