Planetary Health in Focus: New Strategy Papers for Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Healthcare
Two recent publications show how medical and pharmaceutical care can respond to the climate crisis.
Prof. Dr. Petra Thürmann, a member of the [tra:ce] directorate, is closely engaged with the field of planetary health. Two recent publications show how medical and pharmaceutical care can respond to the climate crisis. Petra Thürmann contributed to the position paper on a climate-resilient healthcare system. The policy brief on a sustainable pharmaceutical sector was published by the Centre for Planetary Health Policy, whose scientific advisory board she sits on.
New action strategies for a climate-resilient healthcare system
As a member of the working group "Climate Change and Health" at the German Network for Health Services Research (DNVF), Petra Thürmann contributed to the new position paper "Perspektiven, Handlungsstrategien und Lösungsansätze für eine klimaresiliente und treibhausgasarme Gesundheitsversorgung" (Perspectives, action strategies and solutions for a climate-resilient, low-emission healthcare system). The paper identifies weaknesses in the German healthcare system that climate change is bringing to light, and develops evidence-based strategies that cut across professional fields. This lays a foundation for preparing the medical sector for the ecological challenges of the coming years.
→ Find the position paper here
Strengthening sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector
The environmental impact of medicines is a particular focus of her work. It is an often underestimated lever for environmental protection in healthcare. Petra Thürmann also brings this expertise to the scientific advisory board of the Centre for Planetary Health Policy (CPHP). The CPHP recently published the policy brief "Rahmenbedingungen für ein nachhaltiges Arzneimittelwesen stärken" (Strengthening the framework for a sustainable pharmaceutical sector). It shows where policy and practice need to act so that the production, use and disposal of medicines become more environmentally sound.