Professor Vincent Idemyor, a highly respected scholar from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Nigeria, will take centre stage at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Clinical Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 10 December 2024.
According to a press release by the UNIPORT management, Idemyor will not only deliver a plenary address but also moderate a vital session focusing on the theme, “Preparing Healthcare Service Delivery for Climate Change Impacts.”
The ASHP Clinical Meeting is a high-profile event, which attracts over 20,000 pharmacy professionals from around the world, is one of the largest gatherings aimed at advancing pharmacy practice and healthcare.
Information provided in the communique show that, in his plenary presentation, Idemyor is to delve into the growing intersection between climate change and healthcare, highlighting how shifts in the global climate are already exacerbating a range of disease states and medical conditions. He will cover both the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change on public health, focusing on conditions such as respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders.
A key aspect of his talk will be the significant effect of rising temperatures on mental health, particularly in driving stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and even personality disorders.
The statement further revealed that Idemyor will also explore how prolonged heat exposure can alter the way medications interact with the body, urging healthcare professionals and patients alike to understand the risks associated with certain treatments during extreme heatwaves. He will emphasise that failing to address these factors could lead to negative health outcomes, as medications might behave unpredictably in hotter environments.
Moreover, while addressing the role of healthcare providers in climate action, renowned scholar will argue that the profession has a responsibility to engage in mitigating climate-related health risks. He will advocate for urgent policy changes within healthcare systems to ensure they are prepared to manage climate-induced challenges.
The UNIPORT don will also call for the integration of climate science into medical curricula and continuous professional development, ensuring that future healthcare providers are equipped to tackle the evolving health challenges posed by climate change.
Additionally, Professor Idemyor will discuss strategies for effectively communicating the links between climate change and health to both policymakers and the public, stressing the ethical responsibility healthcare professionals have in becoming climate educators and advocates.
Recognising climate change as the greatest threat to public health, Professor Idemyor will echo the warnings of over 200 medical journals that have called on world leaders to urgently reduce heat-trapping emissions. He will propose the creation of climate-health task forces within healthcare institutions, driving sustainable practices and influencing climate policy.
“Ultimately, Idemyor’s address will remind healthcare professionals that their role is not just about treating symptoms, but also about addressing the root causes of health challenges—including environmental factors. As he will argue, the path to safeguarding global health is inseparable from the fight against climate change. His contributions to this important global dialogue underscore the critical need for action, emphasising that a healthier future for all depends on confronting climate change head-on,” the statement said.
, Nigeria, will take centre stage at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Clinical Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 10 December 2024.){kind=link}