Empowering Health Centers to Lead Climate Change Resilience Efforts
The California Primary Care Association (CPCA) is committed to supporting health centers in building capacity to become resilient to the impacts of climate change, ensure the continuity of essential healthcare services, and protect the health and wellbeing of communities in the face of environmental challenges.
Over the past few months, CPCA's Climate Change Workgroup has engaged in conversations to shape strategic priorities that inform programmatic and policy solutions, which are essential for making significant progress. Specifically, the workgroup strategies to increase climate change resiliency at health centers include:
Influence Legislation, Policies, Programs, and Funding: Advocacy plays a crucial role in driving meaningful change. By actively influencing legislation, policies, programs, and financial investments, we can advance climate change/environmental health and justice issues that directly impact health center operations, patient wellbeing, and community health.
Promote Sustainability Practices at Health Centers: As healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to mitigate the healthcare industry's contribution to the climate crisis. Promoting sustainability practices within health centers not only reduces our carbon footprint but also builds resilience to the impact of climate change on our operations and access to care. By implementing sustainable measures, we can lead by example and inspire positive change in our communities.
Integrate Climate Health Practices into Care Delivery Models: Recognizing the profound impact of climate change on public health, it is imperative to integrate climate health practices into our care delivery models. This approach ensures that health centers are equipped to address the unique health challenges arising from climate change. By incorporating climate health considerations into our daily operations, we enhance our ability to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that prioritizes the wellbeing of our communities.
Recognizing the momentum and leadership of CPCA’s Climate Change Workgroup, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s PCA Learning Collaborative requested the workgroup’s leadership to speak during an educational session on promoting climate change resilience at health centers. During the session on May 10, 2023, CPCA’s Climate Change Workgroup Co-Chairs, Dr. Yohanna Barth-Rogers, Chief Medical Officer for UMMA Community Clinic, and Marty Lynch, Ph.D., MPA, CEO Emeritus for LifeLong Medical Care, reviewed climate change’s impact on health and access to care, and shared why it is imperative to integrate climate health practices into our care delivery models. They also shared their experiences, successes, and challenges to form a climate change workgroup at the association level. Next, CPCA’s Associate Director of Health Center Operations, Amanda Carbajal, MPH, reviewed the workgroup’s strategic approach to elevate the issue of climate change and how organizations can infuse a climate/environmental health lens into current projects and initiatives. Finally, Lilly Kelly from La Clinica de la Raza walked attendees through their experience and success in developing and sustaining a climate change workgroup at the health center level.
CPCA encourages all members interested in learning more about climate change initiatives to join the Climate Change Workgroup. Together, we can create a stronger and more resilient healthcare system that effectively addresses the challenges posed by climate change while advancing health equity.