Article Summary –
The article, authored by Dr. Owais Durrani and Matthew Walker, details the severe impacts of Hurricane Beryl on healthcare services in Houston, exacerbated by a lack of power which crippled essential medical operations and overwhelmed the healthcare system. The authors argue that the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events, which they attribute to climate change, are worsening health outcomes, and they emphasize the importance of addressing climate change to prevent future healthcare crises. They advocate for the Harris-Walz campaign, which they believe has effective policies to combat climate change, in contrast to Donald Trump’s Project 2025, which they argue will reverse progress and lead to more severe environmental and health impacts.
When Hurricane Beryl hit Houston last month, I worked some of the toughest shifts of my career, rivaling those of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients sat for hours, and some even stayed in hospital hallways for days due to a power outage. We were flying blind.
When a hurricane hits, strokes, heart attacks, and car accidents still happen. These emergencies magnify in intensity without power for essential medical devices. No power means our dialysis patients face life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities. No power means no oxygen for chronic lung disease patients, causing them to flood already overrun emergency rooms. No power in Houston, Texas in the middle of summer means countless patients with heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Our healthcare system was overwhelmed for weeks because of just one storm. We are witnessing more frequent “once in a generation” storms. Just look at Hurricane Debby — over a foot of rain flooded North Carolina, resulting in major flooding and injuries.
In the last 10 years, Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 caused serious harm to North Carolina residents. Hurricane Florence alone caused over $17 billion in damage and led to some hospital closures. Each hurricane season brings stronger storms, leaving more devastation.
The frequency of severe weather events will increase as our climate warms. Most people in my emergency department probably weren’t thinking of climate change, but for me, it was clear — the health of my patients is already being affected.
Heat increases exacerbations of asthma, congestive heart failure, strokes, and more. Warmer temperatures will also bring more hurricanes, leading to more missed dialysis sessions and lack of oxygen, making hard days for doctors and patients in the ER.
Last month’s hurricane and its aftermath made it clear that the upcoming election will decide how we respond to climate change and its health impacts. North Carolina is a battleground state this election cycle, with recent polling showing the Harris-Walz ticket leading or tied with the Trump-Vance ticket.
The Harris-Walz campaign is taking steps to address our climate crisis in ways that will benefit North Carolina. Vice President Harris was the deciding vote on the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment to combat climate change in American history. Governor Walz signed laws to reduce carbon emissions, protect water sources, and ensure Minnesota reaches net zero emissions by 2040.
Donald Trump’s Project 2025 is a stark contrast. Project 2025 doesn’t believe in climate change and will allow polluters to degrade North Carolina’s clean air and water, reversing progress in fighting climate change. Unregulated pollution will continue to change our climate, leading to more powerful storms and more harm.
I no longer see climate change as abstract. Every day I see its impact on my patients and fellow healthcare providers. This election is about a future where we can all have health, happiness, and the pursuit of our dreams — the Harris-Walz administration is our path to that future.
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