Research Brief: The role of behavioral medicine in addressing climate-change related health inequities

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (08/01/2022) — An article published in Translational Behavioral Medicine explores the role of behavioral medicine in addressing climate change-related health inequities.

“Structural racism has led to longstanding health inequities for communities that have been subjected to marginalization. Climate change is exacerbating these longstanding health inequities for frontline communities – which are those communities that are hit first and worst by climate change,” said Kristi White, PHD, LP, ABPP, an assistant professor and clinical health psychologist at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “We as behavioral medicine professionals have an important role to play in addressing climate-related health inequities in our research, clinical and other professional practices.”

The article highlights six strategies with the greatest potential for addressing climate-related health inequities: 

• Adopt standards for the measurement and reporting of race as a sociopolitical construct in all behavioral medicine research and practices, including those directed at addressing climate change.

• Operationalize the concept of structural racism in all behavioral medicine research and practices, including those directed at addressing climate change.

• Incorporate environmental justice efforts into behavioral medicine research and practices.

• Center the voices of communities targeted for marginalization in all behavioral medicine research and practices, including those that address climate and environmental justice.

• Prioritize policy action on climate change and health equity.

• Identify effective communication strategies to foster action on climate change and health equity issues.

Researchers say future studies should be aimed at dismantling structural racism, incorporating environmental justice efforts, and identifying effective communication strategies that promote action on climate change and health equity.

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