Mitigating the environmental effects of healthcare: the role of the endocrinologist

Abstract

Human health depends on planetary health, and yet healthcare provision can have unintended consequences for the health of the planet. Emissions from the healthcare sector include greenhouse gases, air pollution and plastic pollution, alongside chemical contamination. Chemical pollution resulting in endocrine disruption has been associated with plastics, which are a source of concerning additives such as phthalates, bisphenols, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and flame retardants (all routinely found in healthcare products). Many endocrine-disrupting chemicals are persistent and ubiquitous in the environment (including water and food sources), with potential secondary harms for human health, including disrupting reproductive, metabolic and thyroid function. Here we review evidence-based strategies for mitigating environmental effects of healthcare delivery. We focus on what endocrinologists can do, including reducing demand for healthcare services through better preventative health, focusing on high-value care and improving sustainability of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals through adopting circular economy principles (including reduce, reuse and, as a last resort, recycle). The specific issue of endocrine-disrupting chemicals might be mitigated through responsible disposal and processing, alongside advocating for the use of alternative materials and replacing additive chemicals with those that have lower toxicity profiles, as well as tighter regulations. We must work to urgently transition to sustainable models of care provision, minimizing negative effects on human and planetary health.