Washington, DC (November 19, 2018) — Advancing racial equity in their climate resilience work is the goal of two medical organizations recently accepted for a learning program. The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health look forward to building capacity on advancing racial equity in their collaborative work towards mitigating the health effects of climate change by developing strategies to achieve equitable climate resilience outcomes. The organizations have been selected for participation in the new Racial Equity Learning Program under the Kresge Foundation's Environment Program.
The Kresge Foundation's Environment Program recently launched a new, capacity-building program to help grantee organizations deepen knowledge and skills on incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion in their climate resilience work. More than 100 individuals from 49 partner organizations will participate in the program which runs from September 2018-August 2019. The goal of the program is for participants to gain a deeper understanding of racial equity competencies so that they can operationalize their commitment to racial equity and apply an equity lens to their work, organizations, and climate resilience practices. ?
The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health brings together 22 medical associations representing approximately 550,000 clinical practitioners. There are also 29 public health and science- based affiliates representing a million and a half members. ACP is a founding member of the Consortium.
"The health of any American can be harmed by climate change, but some of us face greater risk than others. Children, student athletes, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and allergies, the poor and people of color are more likely to be harmed," according to Consortium Director Dr. Mona Sarfaty.
"ACP looks forward to the opportunity to advance our understanding of race, equity, and inclusion and to apply our refined skills to our programmatic work on the impact of climate change," said Dr. Ana María López, MD, MPH, MACP, president, ACP.
In a 2016 paper, Climate Change and Health, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP outlined the negative consequences that climate change can and will have on public and individual health. The paper cited higher rates of respiratory and heat-related illnesses, increased prevalence of diseases passed by insects, water-borne diseases, food and water insecurity and malnutrition, and behavioral health problems as potential health effects of climate change.
ACP recently established a new, internal Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee. This new subcommittee will focus on integrating and coordinating diversity and inclusion efforts across the College. They will develop and recommend effective strategies to enhance professional development, foster diversity and involvement in College activities, and increase the value of membership for our diverse physician members.
"Being invited to participate in the Racial Equity Learning Program is a great opportunity for ACP at this formative time and given our renewed commitment to take a deeper approach to equity and inclusion," concluded Dr. López.
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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 154,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health The mission of the Consortium is to organize, empower and amplify the voice of America's doctors to convey how climate change is harming our health and how climate solutions will improve it.
About The Kresge Foundation: The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America's cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit kresge.org.
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https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/internists-and-medical-society-consortium-on-climate-and-health-awarded-grant-to-embed-racial-equity
