Leading the Way: Curriculum to Prepare Future Doctors for Planetary Health Impacts

Project Summary:

Wisconsin's changing climate is already affecting health through increased temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. By 2050, Milwaukee is projected to experience three times the current number of days over 90°F, contributing to heat-related illnesses and a rise in hospital admissions. Vulnerable communities face disproportionate impacts, exacerbating existing health disparities. Addressing these emerging health concerns through educating future physicians is vital for maintaining public health and equity in Wisconsin.

To meet this critical need, this project will implement a novel comprehensive and longitudinal planetary health curriculum that equips MCW medical students with the knowledge and skills to address the health impacts of climate change. This curriculum will build on the successful pilot work of MCW’s Climate Med Ed Scholar program to formally integrate planetary health topics throughout the new curriculum, MCWfusion. The content will progress from foundational climate knowledge to actionable clinical skills, with a focus on health equity and environmental justice. The curriculum will prepare students to recognize and manage climate-related health issues, such as heat-related illnesses and asthma exacerbations, and develop adaptive care plans that leverage community resources.

Students will learn to lead sustainability efforts within healthcare systems to minimize carbon footprints while maintaining high-value care. The intended impact is to produce well-prepared medical graduates who can address climate-related health issues and promote health equity in Wisconsin's diverse communities. This initiative will also serve as a model to other medical schools and to expand similar education into graduate medical education and other degree-granting at MCW, contributing to a more climate-resilient healthcare system.