Implications of Climate Change on Brazilian Emergency Medicine

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/cid2025132

Keywords:

Climate change, Emergency medicine, Disaster Planning

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change poses a significant global health threat, impacting human health through extreme weather events, disruptions to food systems, and the spread of diseases. Brazilian emergency medicine faces unique challenges, particularly in response to climate-related crises such as floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. This study aims to discuss the implications of climate change on Brazilian emergency medicine and the roles emergency physicians must adopt to address these challenges. 
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, focusing on recent events and actions taken by Brazilian emergency physicians and institutions. Key topics analyzed include extreme weather events, disease outbreaks, and public health interventions. Institutional reports and clinical guidelines from the Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência (ABRAMEDE) were also reviewed. 
Results: Brazil has been increasingly affected by climate-related disasters, particularly in states like Rio Grande do Sul. Emergency departments were overwhelmed during recent floods and heatwaves. Arboviral diseases such as dengue have surged, exacerbated by rising temperatures. Wildfires, particularly in the Amazon, have further strained emergency services, with respiratory diseases and logistical challenges in patient transport becoming critical issues. ABRAMEDE has issued recommendations on hospital disaster preparedness and clinical guidelines to mitigate these health crises. 
Conclusions:Brazilian emergency physicians must focus on enhancing climate-related education, increasing resource allocation for emergency departments, and improving disaster preparedness. These steps are crucial for addressing the evolving health challenges posed by climate change, particularly in vulnerable populations. Emergency medicine must adapt to safeguard public health as environmental conditions continue to shift.

References

Sorensen CJ, Salas RN, Rublee C, Hill K, Bartlett ES, Charlton P, Dyamond C, Fockele C, Harper R, Barot S, Calvello-Hynes E, Hess J, Lemery J. Clinical Implications of Climate Change on US Emergency Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities. Ann Emerg Med. 2020 Aug;76(2):168-178. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.03.010. Epub 2020 Jun 2. PMID: 32507491.

Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência (ABRAMEDE). Recomendação da Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência sobre a resposta hospitalar a desastres [Internet]. São Paulo: ABRAMEDE; 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.conferencebr.com/conteudo/arquivo/recomendacoes-desatres-ab ramede--03-1-1715783256.pdf

Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência (ABRAMEDE). Recomendação da Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência sobre a quimioprofilaxia para leptospirose na crise ambiental do Rio Grande do Sul [Internet]. São Paulo: ABRAMEDE; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.conferencebr.com/conteudo/arquivo/recomendacoes-leptospirose --abramede--02-1715386757.pdf

Oliveira, J. e Silva, L., von Hellmann, R., Ward A. Maia, I., Brandão, R., Schubert, D., Marchini, J., Prync Flato, U. A., Lopes, P., Coester, A., Lunardi, M. C., Rocha, H., Ortigosa Nogueira, V., de Araújo Cunha, K., Benincá, V., Abrahão Hajjar, L. ., Garcia Alencar, J. C., & Penna Guimarães, H. (2024). Diretrizes clínicas da ABRAMEDE para o manejo de dengue em pacientes adultos na emergência. JBMEDE - Jornal Brasileiro De Medicina De Emergência, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.54143/jbmede.v4i2.199

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Published

2025-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Garcia Alencar JC, Barreto Alcantara GJ. Implications of Climate Change on Brazilian Emergency Medicine. Community and Interculturality in Dialogue [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 1 [cited 2024 Dec. 10];5:132. Available from: https://cid.ageditor.ar/index.php/cid/article/view/132