Dr. Beth A. Malow of Vanderbilt University Medical Center is sounding the alarm on the significant but often overlooked connections between climate change and neurological health, emphasizing that healthcare professionals have both responsibility and opportunity to address this growing crisis.
"Climate change affects brain health in multiple ways," explains Malow, who serves as a professor in the departments of neurology and pediatrics. "Air pollution is a major driver of stroke, dementia, and even neurodevelopmental conditions like autism."
Malow specifically highlights PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter that can cross the blood-brain barrier after entering the lungs and bloodstream. While researchers have linked these particles to inflammation and oxidative stress, Malow notes that significant research gaps remain in understanding the precise mechanisms by which these environmental factors damage neurological health.
Climate Change's Neurological Impact
Extreme heat represents another critical climate-related threat to brain health, particularly for vulnerable patients. "We know that the planet is warming; what people aren't always aware of is it's those heat waves...they can be very devastating to people, particularly those who might be taking medicines for certain conditions," Malow explains.
This creates specific concerns for patients taking medications for conditions like narcolepsy, ADHD, or those affecting blood pressure, as these drugs may interact dangerously with extreme heat exposure. These interactions highlight the importance of pharmacist involvement in climate-related health discussions.
Healthcare's Dual Role in Climate Change
In a surprising acknowledgment, Malow points out that healthcare institutions themselves contribute significantly to climate change through their operations.
"Believe it or not, institutions and healthcare organizations are contributors to climate change, global warming, and that's because we have a variety of emissions that come from the healthcare system," she states. "If you think about anesthesia, anesthetic gases, or other ways that we use energy to run our MRI systems and everything else, we are playing a role in contributing."
This recognition creates an opportunity for the healthcare sector to lead by example. Malow references organizations like Global Green and Health Hospitals that help medical facilities reduce their carbon footprint through targeted initiatives.
Professional Responsibility and Action Steps
Malow, who will moderate the upcoming 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting event "Climate Change and Brain Health: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?" emphasizes that climate change is firmly within the professional domain of healthcare providers.
"It's definitely in our lane, meaning that we should feel that we can speak up on behalf of our patients," she asserts. "People really trust their healthcare professionals; we're a group of high trust."
She encourages healthcare professionals to:
- Educate themselves about climate change impacts on health
- Communicate with patients about climate-related health risks
- Join with colleagues and community groups for collective action
- Support institutional changes to reduce healthcare's carbon footprint
- Maintain hope and recognize that incremental changes matter
"I think it's important to band together with people," Malow advises. "Find a group that you're comfortable with. It might be other healthcare professionals, it might just be a community in your state or locally, and get out there and talk with them and talk with the public."
Resources for Engagement
For healthcare professionals looking to get involved, Malow recommends nichebrainhealth.com, which offers free articles and quarterly meetings focused on the intersection of climate change and neurological health.
Despite the challenges, Malow maintains optimism about addressing climate change's health impacts. "I think there really is hope, and there's a lot of companies right now in the private sector who are working on renewable energy—for example, solar, wind, nuclear as well—that can really make a difference in terms of the ability to make our planet more healthy."
She concludes with an encouraging metaphor: "It's kind of like the starfish story, where there are starfish on the beach and you can't throw them all back in the ocean, but if you can throw one back, you've done something. And it's like a ripple effect: if everybody throws one starfish back in the ocean, we're going to save a lot of starfish."
