Abstract

The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) asserts that climate change has a significant effect on health and wellbeing globally. NPWH believes that nursing organizations and the nursing profession have a responsibility to meaningfully contribute to reducing vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (adaptation) and reducing or preventing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (mitigation) for the protection of the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and populations. NPWH recognizes that social and environmental justice are inherently connected to reducing harms to health and wellbeing associated with climate change. NPWH advocates for global and national policies and practices that promote strategies to reduce these harmful health effects within a socially and environmentally just framework. NPWH acknowledges that gender-based disparities exist in health effects related to climate change. Physiologic and biologic vulnerabilities and socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities and discrimination are frequently more pronounced for women. Women living in low- and middle-income countries are the most susceptible. Even in resource-rich countries such as the United States, however, vulnerabilities and disparities in health effects related to climate change fall disproportionately on women. Healthcare informed by these health risks, vulnerabilities, and disparities is imperative. NPWH champions the essential role and expertise of Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) in providing healthcare for women across the lifespan that includes attention to health risks related to climate change. NPWH commits to strengthening efforts in support of this role, with a particular focus on reducing associated health disparities.

Author Details

As a national professional membership organization, NPWH is the nation's leading voice for courageous conversations about women's health. In our clinics and in our culture, women's health nurse practitioners champion state-of-the-science health care that holistically addresses the unique needs of women across their lifetimes. We elevate the health issues others overlook and compel attention on women's health from providers, policymakers, and researchers.

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Washington, DC, USA

Type

Position Statement

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Expert Opinion (nationally/internationally recognized)

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Women's Health, Environmental Health

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Publisher

The National Association of Nurse Practioners in Women's Health

Version

Publisher's Version

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Review Type

None: Reputation-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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