[Research Report] Survey of Japanese Physicians Regarding Climate Change and Health (December 3, 2023)
date : 12/3/2023
Tags: Planetary Health
![[Research Report] Survey of Japanese Physicians Regarding Climate Change and Health (December 3, 2023)](https://hgpi.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/cop28_JPN_Survey.png)
Ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) and the SPRING GX project of the University of Tokyo conducted a survey among Japanese physicians to gather their opinions regarding climate change and health, sustainable healthcare systems, and climate change policy. The data were collected from November 21-27, 2023 and we received 1,100 responses from physicians practicing throughout Japan.
Key Findings
- Physicians do not have sufficient knowledge about climate change (36.1% got more than half of the question correct), the term “planetary health” is not widely recognized (18.2%)
- Many physicians believe that climate change is affecting the health of the Japanese population and more specifically recognizing the impact on the health of the patients they see in their clinic
- 78.1% of physicians believe that climate change is affecting the health of people in Japan
- 51.5% of physicians believe that climate change is impacting the health of patients in their field of practice
- Around 70% of physicians are also aware of the health impacts caused by climate change and believe that over the next 10 years climate change will significantly adversely affect the following health issues
- Physical harm and/or injury from extreme weather events (e.g., flooding, typhoons, landslides, wildfires) (83.3%)
- Heat-related illness (79.5%)
- Arthropod-borne infections (75.8%)
- There is limited access to education on climate change and health
- Received education on “climate change and health” or “planetary health” while in medical school (6.5%)
- Received specialized training on climate change and health (11.6%)
- More than 70% of the physicians would like to choose products, equipment, etc. that have lower environmental impacts and are more sustainable options, if available
- More than half of the physicians agree that they should educate and advocate to their patients and their institution/facility
- Physicians should advise their patients on the links climate change has on their health (56.7%)
- Physicians should advocate within their institution/facility for implementing mitigation measures for more environmentally sustainable healthcare (57.5%)
- More than half of the physicians reported that the main barriers that prevent them from taking more action include lack of information and resources (54.4%), lack of knowledge (52.7%), and lack of time (51.7%)
Top Research & Recommendations Posts
- [Policy Recommendations] Achieving a Sustainable Society of Health and Longevity Through the Integration of Environment and Healthcare-Incorporating a Planetary Health Perspective into the 3rd Phase of The Healthcare Policy-(December 20, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Developing a National Health and Climate Strategy for Japan (June 26, 2024)
- [Research Report] The 2023 Public Opinion Survey on Satisfaction in Healthcare in Japan and Healthcare Applications of Generative AI (January 11, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Cancer Control Project “Policy Recommendations on Addressing Regional Disparities in Breast Cancer Care” (January 31, 2025)
- [Research Report] Comparative Research Group on Local Regulations for Dementia Presents Final Report, “Toward Dementia Regulations for an Inclusive Society” (December 27, 2024)
- [Announcement] A Turning Point Towards Building Green Healthcare Systems (June 5, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Obesity Control Promotion Project 2023 “The Next Steps for Engaging and Cooperating with Patients, Citizens, and Communities for Implements of Obesity Control Measurements” (April 8, 2024)
- [Event Report] Planetary Health Expert Meeting Aiming for Sustainable Healthcare: Learning from the Impact of Environmental Pollution and Medical Waste During the Pandemic (February 16, 2024)
- [Public Comment Submission] “Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures (Draft)” (January 26, 2025)
- [Research Report] 2019 Survey on Healthcare in Japan
Featured Posts
-
2025-01-22
[Registration Closed] HGPI Salon 2025 “Looking Ahead to the Future of Japan’s Social Security System” Session 1: Improving Productivity through the Streamlining of Healthcare and Long-Term Care Services and the Utilization of ICT (February 14, 2025)
-
2025-01-31
[Research Report] Comparative Research Group on Local Regulations for Dementia Presents Final Report, “Toward Dementia Regulations for an Inclusive Society” (December 27, 2024)
-
2025-02-01
[Announcement] Announcement of the 1st Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award Recipient
-
2025-02-07
[Publication Report] The Child Health Project Publishes Family Mental Health Booklet “Learning and Practicing at Home – Stress Management for Children with Intellectual Disabilities” (February 3, 2025)
-
2025-02-12
[Registration Open] (Webinar) The 131st HGPI Seminar “The Policy Process of the Kyoto City Caregiver Ordinance” (March 19, 2025)