Taking Action on Planetary Health: A Call to Action for Naturopathic Doctors

Abstract

The World Health Organization has called climate change one of the biggest health threats of the 21st century. Climate desta- bilization has myriad direct and indirect physical and mental health impacts, including extreme heat–related illness; flood- and wildfire-related deaths, displacement, and evacuations; droughts; wildfire-related asthma, COPD, and cardiovascular disease; tick-borne disease; seasonal allergies; anxiety, depression, increased food insecurity, and conflict. Climate destruction poses higher risks for Indigenous people, people who are racially marginaized, people living in poverty, people living with disabilities, the elderly, people experiencing homelessness, and people who work outdoors. The climate crisis is a health crisis, resulting in a tremendous burden on healthcare providers and systems, driving the need to adapt to these changing determinants of health.