Climate change has a disproportionate impact on children's health. Most medical pediatric organizations, including the AAP and the American Board of Pediatrics, have recognized the need to address climate impacts in pediatrics and the need for training, advocacy, and research.
The University of Washington, Department of Pediatrics, launched the Climate Change CARE committee in 2023 to commit time and resources to develop strategic initiatives, adapt and update policies and procedures, and partner with other entities within UW Medicine and the University of Washington in the face of ongoing climate change and emerging threats and opportunities for children's health.
Mission
Pediatric faculty, residents, and partners join for a nature restoration event at Magnuson Park sponsored by the committee members. |
The mission of the Department of Pediatrics Climate Change CARE Committee is to foster collaborative efforts in developing a systematic Department-wide response to climate change and pediatric care encompassing clinical, advocacy, research, and education (CARE) efforts.
Committee Structure
The full committee meets monthly with sub-committee breakouts. Meetings are open to faculty, trainees, and staff within the Department of Pediatrics and affiliates within Seattle Children’s Hospital. Meetings are primarily virtual to allow participation across sites. Committee members set committee priorities through a consensus process.
The Committee Leadership team (Committee Chair, department vice-chair, and Sub-Committee chairs) meets to review key decision points and approaches to advance the priorities/goals of the committee members. Key action items are brought to Department leadership (Chair/Vice-Chair), with service activities and advocacy opportunities available.
Examples of CARE Sub-Committee Activities
Our meetings are open to faculty, trainees, and staff within the Department of Pediatrics. Sub-committees have opportunities to develop recommendations and propose implementation plans for each CARE area (clinical, advocacy, research, education):
- Clinical - Promoting changes at clinical sites (e.g., reduce medical waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions)
- Advocacy - Carbon reduction efforts for the department and advocacy for the city, state, or region, as applicable; supporting community nature restoration events, greening areas, community stewardship
- Research - Identifying and sponsoring research needs within the Dept, including QI, clinical impacts on children's health, basic science research, mental health, nature contact
- Education - Developing curricular and educational sessions for residents, faculty, and staff; review of national pediatric guidelines related to pediatric care and climate change
Each sub-committee has a chair or co-chairs, and they will determine the subcommittee's agenda and activities. Goals and implementation will be decided by consensus among the sub-committee members. Sub-committees will report semi-annually to the committee chair and annually to the full committee.
Partners
A crucial approach to our work is building partnerships across entities for UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the University of Washington
- Example Partners: Pediatricians for Climate Action (residency); Seattle Children’s Green team and sustainability program, UW Earthlab/Nature and Health in the College of the Environment, Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE), UW School of Public Health
Contact Us
Questions? Contact the Committee Chair at greves@uw.edu
