New Data Shows Telemedicine Is A Climate Game-Changer
Telemedicine is proving to be not only a convenient healthcare option but also an environmentally beneficial one, according to a recent study. Published in the American Journal of Managed Care, the research found that virtual medical appointments in 2023 significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions—comparable to taking over 130,000 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road each month.
The environmental impact stems largely from a decrease in patient travel. By replacing in-person visits with virtual consultations, telemedicine reduces vehicle use and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers emphasized that this shift could play a small yet meaningful role in improving air quality and mitigating climate change.
Dr. John Mafi, one of the study’s senior authors and a professor at UCLA, noted that these findings are especially relevant as lawmakers discuss whether to continue the telehealth expansions that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. He suggested that reducing healthcare’s carbon footprint is an important consideration for future policy decisions.
The study analyzed nearly 1.5 million telemedicine visits across a three-month period in 2023, including tens of thousands in rural areas. Researchers estimated that 741,000 to 1.3 million of those visits likely replaced traditional, in-person appointments. As a result, they calculated a monthly reduction in carbon emissions ranging from 21 million to nearly 48 million kilograms.
Co-author Dr. Mark Fendrick of the University of Michigan stressed that the healthcare sector is a notable contributor to global emissions. He stated that adopting lower-carbon alternatives like telemedicine can meaningfully reduce the environmental impact of healthcare delivery without compromising patient care.
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