RESUMEN
BACKGROUNDS: This study delves into the risk perceptions of Italian pediatricians concerning climate change's impact on children's health. Given children's heightened vulnerability to climate-related health risks, comprehending these perceptions is crucial. A review of pertinent literature establishes the framework, emphasizing six key factors influencing children's susceptibility to climate-related health hazards. METHODS: Methodologically, the study utilized a survey tool developed collaboratively with the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP), garnering responses from a representative sample of Italian pediatricians. RESULTS: Findings indicate a high level of awareness among respondents regarding climate change and its health implications, with a majority attributing it primarily to human activity. Pediatricians recognize various current and anticipated health impacts of climate change, notably concerning illnesses linked to outdoor air quality. Despite acknowledging their role in addressing climate-related health concerns, respondents also cite barriers to engagement, including time constraints and knowledge gaps. However, they express interest in resources like professional training and policy statements to bolster their capacity for effective communication and advocacy. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons with prior studies highlight the consistency of findings across diverse contexts and underscore the significance of integrating climate and environmental health education into medical training. Overall, this study sheds light on pediatricians' perspectives in tackling the convergence of climate change and children's health, pinpointing avenues for enhancing their involvement in climate advocacy and mitigation efforts.
Asunto(s)
Salud Infantil , Cambio Climático , Pediatras , Humanos , Italia , Pediatras/psicología , Masculino , Femenino , Niño , Actitud del Personal de Salud , Adulto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Medición de Riesgo , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
The objective of this article is to examine the role of doctors and health professionals in communicating the health impacts of climate change and exploring how achieving climate objectives is co-beneficial to public health objectives. This article identifies the main interpretative frameworks for climate change communication identified in the literature, contextualizes the challenge of climate communication in the field of public health, and analyses the element of trust, without which the communication process is likely to fail. Awareness-raising strategies must therefore create appropriate contexts that allow the public to perceive climate change as a relevant and immediate issue. Further, to be properly considered, such information must be issued from a source the public trusts. After providing a general framework within which to examine the role of doctors and health professionals in climate communication, message content is examined along with trust in message sources and in the medical profession, and the perceptions among and training of medical professionals concerning the climate challenge are considered.The literature reviewed in this article represents the body of climate change communication research related to the role of the doctor, an area of growing interest. This review provides a timely and complete analysis of the literature on the subject with the goal of starting a necessary, but too-long postponed, multidisciplinary dialogue.