Climate change and neurology: A survey of neurologists in Australia and New Zealand

Objective

This study aimed to assess the perceptions of neurologists in Australia and New Zealand regarding climate change and its impact on neurological practice.

Methods

Members of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists were surveyed gathering demographic information and views on climate change and its impact on clinical practice. A composite score was generated based on five key climate change-related questions. Linear regression was used to examine associations between demographic factors and the composite score.

Results

A total of 190 neurologists among 994 ANZAN members (19.1 %) completed the survey. Of these 94.7 % agreed that climate change is happening, and 81.1 % believed it impacts their patients' health. However, only 32.1 % felt comfortable initiating conversations about climate change. The majority of respondents perceived a moderate impact of climate change on patients' mental health, ability to exercise and multiple sclerosis symptomatology, and a small to moderate impact on migraines, emerging neuroinfectious disease and ability to access transport. Female neurologists had a higher composite score, whilst age did not independently predict the composite score.

Conclusions

Neurologists are concerned about climate change and its impact on their patients, but the majority are uncomfortable raising this in routine clinical care. Our findings support the need for more education for neurologists on strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change for patients with neurological disease.