Creating an Environmentally Sustainable Practice: Benefits for Patients, Practices, and the Planet | October 2023-GI Multisociety Strategic Plan on Environmental Sustainability

GI Multisociety Strategic Plan on Environmental Sustainability

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The GI Multisociety Strategic Plan on environmental sustainability, championed by four major U.S. gastroenterology societies—AASLD, ACG, AGA, and ASGE—addresses the urgent issue of climate change and its impact on health, particularly digestive health. Human activities have altered various Earth systems significantly, leading to health risks including food and water insecurity, increased infectious diseases, and mental health issues. Consequently, the healthcare sector, accounting for a substantial portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, paradoxically contributes to the very problem it seeks to mitigate. Notably, gastroenterology practices are high waste generators due to their procedure-intensive nature.<br /><br />The strategic plan lays out a comprehensive approach to promote sustainable practices within the field. It establishes a vision and mission centered on aligning digestive health care with planetary health. The plan is structured into seven strategic domains: Clinical Setting, Education, Research, Society Efforts, Intersociety Collaboration, Industry Engagement, and Advocacy. Each domain is aligned with specific strategic goals and objectives.<br /><br />Key initiatives include:<br />1. **Clinical Practices:** Reducing waste and carbon emissions through evaluations and adaptations of current practices.<br />2. **Education:** Raising awareness among healthcare providers and patients about the impact of climate change on digestive health and promoting sustainable practices.<br />3. **Research:** Supporting and funding research into the intersection of climate change and digestive health.<br />4. **Society Efforts:** Implementing sustainable operations across all activities of the GI societies.<br />5. **Intersociety Collaboration:** Working with other national and international GI societies to promote sustainability.<br />6. **Industry Engagement:** Partnering with industry to develop environmentally friendly products and practices.<br />7. **Advocacy:** Promoting policies that support sustainable GI practices at all levels of government.<br /><br />Each year, incremental objectives will be assessed and updated, with a significant focus on measuring and reducing carbon footprints, waste management, and integrating sustainability into all aspects of gastrointestinal practice, research, and education. By uniting efforts and resources, the GI societies aim to build a sustainable framework that ensures high-quality care while mitigating environmental impacts, ultimately fostering a vision of digestive health that coheres with planetary health principles.

Keywords

environmental sustainability

gastroenterology

climate change

digestive health

healthcare emissions

waste reduction

sustainable practices

intersociety collaboration

industry engagement

advocacy