Nature and Healthcare

Module Outline

This free module, developed in partnership between the Centre for Sustainable healthcare, Healthcare Ocean and RSK, explores the complex relationship between nature, human health and the healthcare sector and what we can do to support nature to thrive.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course you will be able to:

1. Discuss how unequal access to the health benefits of nature and unequal exposure to the impacts of nature degradation are widening health inequalities.
2. Define the term nature footprint.
3. Explain why healthcare should taking a leading role in helping nature to recover.
4. Describe the nature footprint of the healthcare sector and some practical steps we can take to reduce it.
5. Design efforts to help nature to thrive using a 3-part framework including:
   • Reducing our nature footprint
   • Restoring nature
   • Rebuilding the relationship between people and nature
   
   
6. Describe how human health and the healthcare sector are dependent on the health of nature, and the main reasons nature is in decline.

What Future Do We Choose?

In the last half century global greenhouse gas emissions have doubled, and human activity has removed about 3/4 the wild birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates and insects on our planet. The health implications of this are deeply worrying. There is a huge amount to do, which can feel overwhelming, but this free module will help you start to identify how you can play your part. To kick off, we invite you to enjoy this evocative 2 minute video poem What Future Do We Choose? (2021)

About the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare is a registered charity working since 2008 to help the health sector reduce its carbon footprint and wider environmental impact. It is now one of the world's foremost institutions for sustainable healthcare research and practice. The team draws on knowledge and experience from clinical practice, public health, environmental consultancy, research and public policy to develop the methods and metrics to implement and measure sustainable healthcare.

Course contributors

Our thanks go to the following people who have contributed to the development and updating of this module:

• Dr Georgie Sowman MBBS MRCGP: General Practitioner and Physical Activity Clinical Champion NE England , Co-founder Healthcare Ocean, Sustainability Clinical Lead for the Northeast ICS
• Dr Pamela Buchanan
• Dr Kevin Barker
• Professor Lora Fleming
• Dr Richard Hixson
• Dom Higgins
• Alexis Percival
• Dr Sharon Pfleger
• Dr Kelly Thornber
• Esther Smith
• Lewis Arnold
• Dr Gavin Wilson