Gastroenterology
Listen to your gut
How Is Climate Change Affecting Gastroenterology?
Gastrointestinal health is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change through extreme weather events, pollution and the spread of communicable disease.
Heatwaves put the body under intense physiological strain which can lead to liver cell necrosis, pancreatitis and affect immune systems, rendering patients more susceptible to autoimmune disease.
Chemical pesticides and fertilisers, that contribute to pollution and a loss of biodiversity, are also thought to to affect the gut microbiome and contribute to illness such as irritable bowel syndrome. Air pollution is also associated with gastrointestinal illness, through causing inflammation in the liver and gut.
Additionally, red meat consumption is linked with causing constipation and its associated complications, and bowel cancer. The production of red meat has a significant environmental impact
How is Gastroenterology Affecting Climate Change?
Everything we do in healthcare has an environmental impact. In particular for gastroenterology, because of the resource-intensive procedures, such as endoscopy, gastroenterology departments can generate huge amounts of waste.
On wards, blood tests, procedures, long patient stays and use of medications and fluids all contribute to the specialty's environmental impact. The British Society of Gastroenterology has extensive information on the impacts of the specialty on the environment.
In the outpatient setting, our diets in the UK have a significant impact on both our health and the environment. Typically, the UK population does not consume enough fibre and consumes more meat than is good for our health and the planet.
Plant-Based Health Professionals UK (PBHP UK)
PBHP UK have lots of resources on the health benefits of adopting a plant-based diet and fact-sheets on different nutrients and conditions, including IBS. For more information, click below.
Discussion Ideas with Patients and Colleagues
Patients:
"How would you feel about moving more towards a plant-based diet and consuming less meat? It may help with your symptoms and would be great for the environment too."
Colleagues
"Can we introduce some reusable items for our procedures, such as reusable endoscopes and reusable gowns?"
"How could we promote plant-based diets to our patients better?"
The Eat Lancet Report 2.0 gives an overview of a diet that would improve health and be able to feed 10 billion people! Click below for more information
Highest Impact Actions for Gastroenterology Departments
Embed climate change and healthcare sustainability in education and governance activities
Use reusable endoscopy equipment wherever possible
Promote plant-based diets to patients and colleagues
For More Information
Visit Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and join the Endoscopy Sustainability Network
Join the campaign for a more plant-based diet in our healthcare system with "Plants First Healthcare"