A study of medical students’ perceptions and knowledge of climate change and its impact on health

Objectives

Climate change presents a significant threat to the well-being of medical students, further impacting their physical and mental health in the context of already demanding academic and clinical responsibilities. This study aims to examine how future healthcare professionals perceive the health-related consequences of climate change and to what extent they feel equipped to address the challenges posed by this global issue.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire to gather data. The invitation to participate was extended to students from different academic programs within a medical university. A total of 697 students completed the survey.

Results

Most respondents were male students aged between 21 and 23 years, with the majority hailing from Pakistan, India, and Kazakhstan. The survey showed a high level of awareness among students about the health impacts of climate change: 80 % expect serious health impacts in their communities in the next 20 years. The majority believe that climate change will increase the burden of health care, lead to an increase in infectious and mental diseases, and affect vulnerable populations. 72.9 % support the inclusion of climate in health education. The relationship between awareness and support for mandatory climate education is statistically confirmed (p<0.001).

Conclusions

This study highlights medical students’ strong awareness of climate change’s impact on health and the importance of integrating this topic into medical education. Enhancing future physicians’ knowledge and resilience to environmental threats is crucial for effective healthcare in a changing climate.