Health Standards Organization (HSO) has released a Declaration on Climate Action in response to the rising impacts of climate change, which are amplifying global health inequities, hindering vital progress towards high quality and safe care, and ultimately threatening the foundation of human health.
We hear the call for a people-centred transformation that puts health at the heart of climate action and have committed to working with partners around the globe to leave our planet stronger and healthier for generations to come. Read the full declaration here .
The World Health Organization estimates that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress alone. According to over 200 Medical Journals, the global environmental crisis is the most significant threat to human health in the 21st century. Since 2019, over 75 countries have committed to develop climate-resilient health systems and embrace sustainable, low-carbon health care.
“People across the globe are experiencing unprecedented threats to their livelihood, wellbeing, and health from a rapidly changing climate,” says Vishal Jain, Director, Health Equity at HSO. “The mounting scientific evidence, coupled with the lived realities of communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, has underscored the vital need for equity-driven and people-centred climate action.”
It is within HSO and Accreditation Canada’s mission to harness credible, scientific evidence to assess organizational capability and enable planning and action to drive progress towards decarbonization, climate resiliency, and sustainable health care systems. To do this, HSO and Accreditation Canada have three levers to create change. These include co-design of standards, assessment programs, and building capacity across health and social services.
“The rising risks of climate change are threatening the foundation of human health,” says Leslee Thompson, CEO, HSO and Accreditation Canada. “We recognize our role for supporting bolder collective action to enable resilient and sustainable health systems at the scale and speed required to address the increasing impact of a changing climate.”
As part of HSO’s commitment to advance climate action, we have convened a 16-member Climate Action Advisory Committee to provide focused insight on HSO’s climate action journey. The committee is comprised of health care leaders, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers from across Canada dedicated to working towards climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems.
“Building on over 20 years of collaboration with health care providers, businesses, and government agencies, we are excited to partner with HSO and Accreditation Canada to foster timely and accessible climate action strategies,” says Dr. Myles Sergeant, Executive Director, Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care (CCGHC). “This collaboration marks a key milestone in our collective efforts to create a sustainable, resilient future with health care at the heart of climate solutions.”
The committee is co-chaired by Vishal Jain, Director of Health Equity at HSO, and Dr. Myles Sergeant, Executive Director at the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care (CCGHC), and advised by Linda Varangu, Senior Advisor for Climate Change at the CCGHC. See the full list of committee members in the image below.
In addition to releasing the Declaration, HSO will be hosting a webinar on February 4, 2025, from 12-1PM (ET). Register now to join Vishal Jain, Dr. Myles Sergeant, and Linda Varangu, alongside HSO/AC CEO Leslee Thompson, for a discussion on the significant impact climate change is having on the health of individuals, families, and communities.
Committee members include:
| Dr. Myles Sergeant (co-chair)
Executive Director, Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care Vishal Jain (co-chair) Linda Varangu (advisor) Robert Barss Vincent Boisvert Dr. Ming-Ka Chan Dr. Bhavini Gohel Dr. Sherilee Harper Dr. Sarah Henderson |
Dr. Courtney Howard Emergency Physician, Yellowknives Dene Territory Vice-Chair, Global Climate and Health Alliance Dr. Maya Kalogirou Karen Langstaff Caitlin Roy Julie Weir Dr. Stephan Williams
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