Medical schools in Europe to expand climate-related health training

Medical schools across Europe are adding more courses on diseases and conditions worsened by the climate crisis, including mosquito-borne illnesses and heatstroke.

Kat Lay reports for The Guardian


In short:

  • A network of 25 medical schools led by the University of Glasgow will educate future doctors on the health impacts of climate change.
  • Training will cover diseases like dengue and malaria, heat-related conditions, and ways to reduce healthcare's carbon footprint.
  • Students will also learn to promote environmental health initiatives like walking, cycling, and "green prescribing" for patients.

Key quote:

"The doctors of the future will see a different array of presentations and diseases that they are not seeing now. They need to be aware of that so they can recognise them."

— Dr. Camille Huser, University of Glasgow

Why this matters:

The climate crisis is accelerating the spread of diseases once limited to the tropics and increasing health risks related to heat and pollution. Educating future doctors to manage these challenges can help protect public health as global temperatures rise.

Read more: Training the next wave of doctors in climate medicine

A two lane highway winding between dry hills

More than half of Northwest in severe, extreme drought, Oregon in historic dry period

Nearly 80% of the Northwest is experiencing drought this summer, with Oregon recording its fourth driest spring-to-summer period since 1895, raising concerns for farms, rivers, and wildfire risk. State officials have declared multiple county emergencies as streamflows hit record lows.

Pair of rubber boots sitting in between rows of crops in a field

As farm flooding increases, federal climate support evaporates

Federal staffing cuts, rescinded climate-focused conservation funds, and misaligned crop insurance are undermining farmers as extreme rainfall and flooding worsen across farm country. The shift is delaying on-the-ground help, sidelining resilience practices, and squeezing especially small, diversified operations.

Burned house roof against a blue sky

First came the wildfire. Then came the scams

As extreme weather disasters grow more frequent, shady contractors are exploiting survivors with inflated bills, shoddy repairs, and legal threats — leaving many homeowners financially trapped just when they’re most vulnerable.

a starfish laying on the sand on the beach

Post-Blob, California’s kelp crisis isn’t going away

A decade after a record marine heat wave and sea star die-off, Northern California has lost about 95% of its bull kelp, leaving vast urchin barrens that thwart natural recovery.

An image of a cell phone with a loud speaker and an exclamation mark on a red background

US online disaster planning tool may go dark, agency website says

A federal emergency management website used by states to coordinate disaster response may go offline this week as its contract funding lapses, raising concerns about preparedness in the middle of hurricane season.

a group of smokestacks.

‘A colossal train wreck’: U.S. energy chief slams odds of net zero by 2050

Net zero by 2050 is "a monstrous human impoverishment program and of course there is no way it is going to happen," U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.
How a group of students in the Pacific Islands reshaped global climate law
Photo Credit: zuzannazzz/ BigStock Photo ID: 4404246

How a group of students in the Pacific Islands reshaped global climate law

They watched climate change ravage their home countries as rich, polluting nations did nothing. Then they had an idea.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.