Abstract
Objective: To synthesize the beliefs, knowledge and interest of veterinarians on the relationship between veterinary medicine and climate change, with the intent to identify any educational gaps and opportunities.Sample: Responses from 560 U.S., and 54 non-U.S. veterinarians.Procedures: An anonymous, online survey of veterinarians was distributed through electronic media, state and professional associations, and a veterinary magazine advertisement. The survey was conducted between July 1st and December 31st of 2019.Results: Overall, veterinary respondents were confident that climate change is happening, is caused by human activities, and is impacting both human and animal health. Veterinarians also agreed that the profession should have an advocacy role in educating the public on climate change and its health impacts, particularly in clinical practices where environmental sustainability promotion can be shared with clients. Although veterinarians agreed the profession needs to be involved with climate change advocacy, most reported having had no educational opportunities within their veterinary medicine curriculum or access to continuing education on climate change.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The results highlight the need for the development of educational opportunities on the topic of climate change such that veterinarians are equipped to address their concerns about current and future animal health threats.
Highlights
Action is urgently needed to mitigate the profound health threats arising from climate change
In a recent survey of U.S veterinary students, respondents highlighted a striking lack of educational opportunities on the topic despite their overwhelming belief that climate change is occurring and has health impacts for both people and animals [7]
As doctors of many species with an established role in public and ecosystem health, veterinarians have the potential to meaningfully contribute to climate change action, education and empowerment are necessary
Summary
Action is urgently needed to mitigate the profound health threats arising from climate change. In addition to an emerging field of research on the epidemiology, prevention, and response to climate associated illness, educators are working to integrate climate change into medical curricula [3, 4]. These efforts are supported by governing bodies such as the American Medical Association who have enacted policy “aiding physicians in adopting environmentally-sustainable programs in their practices and sharing these concepts with their patients and communities” [5]. The animal health community has been less enterprising in the area of sustainable animal health and climate change adaptation planning or action. Failure of veterinarians to engage on such a massive, global health issue has generated concerns for the social relevance of the profession [8]
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