Opinion: Hurricane season is approaching fast. We need to talk about health care resilience
Extreme weather fueled by accelerating climate change puts patients, providers, and health care facilities at severe risk, jeopardizing lives. Unpredictable shifts in weather patterns are creating new regional extremes, and communities have to adjust to survive.
During climate crises, health care providers and facilities must be ready to quickly adapt to shifting needs. Resilience efforts require advance planning for essential care services and safe storage of critical supplies and materials; addressing facility vulnerabilities; coordinating with neighboring health care facilities and suppliers; proactive engagement with vulnerable patients, and more.
