In a pivotal step towards addressing the intersection of climate change and healthcare, the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) has introduced the Planetary Health curriculum, spearheaded by Farah Hussain, MD. This innovative program equips medical students with the knowledge to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change on human health.



Dr. Hussain, who originally found her passion for environmental advocacy during her undergraduate studies with sea anemones, has become a trailblazer in integrating environmental considerations into medical education. Inspired by the stark evidence presented in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s reports, Hussain realized the importance of aligning her medical career with ecological preservation.

The curriculum, launched in 2022, enjoys growing momentum, reflecting a broader trend in medical education as institutions like Harvard Medical School and Stanford University’s School of Medicine adopt similar programs. The educational content is seamlessly woven into existing courses at PSOM, where students learn about the direct implications of climate changes—such as extreme weather and pollution—on human health alongside traditional medical subjects.

Aside from core courses, PSOM continues to offer specialized classes like the Climate Change and Health elective, examining the differential impact of environmental changes on vulnerable populations and their healthcare outcomes. This elective delves into how shifts in the ecosystem can influence disease prevalence and respiratory health.

Collaboration is Key

A crucial component of this educational initiative is collaboration. Under Hussain’s guidance, PSOM’s students and faculty collaborate to integrate climate-awareness in various medical disciplines, from Psychiatry to Pulmonology, ensuring that students are well-prepared to tackle these challenges in their professional lives.

Additionally, the thriving student-led Healthcare Sustainability Group leads efforts in pushing beyond classroom learning. Their projects aim to transform healthcare operations, such as creating greener operating rooms, thus reducing the environmental footprint of healthcare services.

From Classroom to Clinical Practice

The curriculum’s next phase will broaden its scope from classroom learning to practical applications during clinical rotations, preparing students to engage with patients directly on environmental factors affecting health and advocating for systemic changes.

As Sarah Wornow and her fellow students champion this vital cause, PSOM remains committed to its institutional goal of becoming the most environmentally friendly healthcare system in the nation. Their comprehensive approach reflects a keen understanding that sustainable practices are essential in preserving both planetary and human health.

For more detailed stories and updates on Penn Medicine’s ongoing sustainability efforts, readers can explore related articles discussing the transformational work in operating rooms, healthcare sustainability goals, and groundbreaking health research on climate change impacts.