3. Sustainability and Occupational Health -

Question 1

What is the definition of “Sustainability”?

Answer 1

The ability to be able to continue over a period of time

Question 2

What are 3 levels “Sustainability” exists in Healthcare?

Answer 2

1. Global Sustainability
2. Sustainability of the NHS
3. Personal and Career Sustainability

Question 3

Why is Global Sustainability important to Healthcare?

Answer 3

1. Material Inequality
2. Population and Consumption
3. Resource Depletion
4. Climate Change
5. Loss of Biodiversity
6. Crisis in Healthcare

Question 4

In relation to Global Sustainability, what is meant by “Material Inequality”?

Answer 4

The worlds wealthy are getting richer, while at least half of the world’s population live on less than £1.30

Question 5

In relation to Global Sustainability, what is meant by “Population and Consumption”?

Answer 5

The world’s population is growing (anticipated 9 billion by 2040) - more people meant the need for more space, energy, food and water.

Question 6

In relation to Global Sustainability, what is meant by “Resource Depletion”?

Answer 6

Depletion of natural resources, such as:

1. Fossil Fuels
2. Water

Question 7

In relation to Global Sustainability, what is meant by “Climate Change”?

Answer 7

The world is getting warmer due to the greenhouse effect (CO2 in atmosphere). This impacts on:

1. Food Production (Floods / Droughts)
2. Incidence of Infectous Disease

Question 8

In relation to Global Sustainability, what is meant by “Loss of Biodiversity”?

Answer 8

There is an increased rate of animal extinction due to depletion of areas of habitat

Question 9

In relation to Global Sustainability, what is meant by “Crisis in Healthcare”?

Answer 9

1. Increasing ageing population
2. Increase in chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes)
3. Increase in obesity
4. NHS carbon footprint damaging the environment
   All cause healthcare to costs to spiral

Question 10

What has happened, Globally, to reported weather relating to Natural Disasters?

Answer 10

Greatly increased - more than tripled since 1960’s

This results in a lot of deaths, especially in developing countries

Question 11

What is responsible for the increase in global average temperatures?

Answer 11

Humans

Question 12

What is the level of pollution, created in the last century, comparable too?

Answer 12

Tens of Thousands of Years without our input

Question 13

1. How many of the warmest years on record, have occurred in the last 13?
2. In Europe, how many excess deaths were recorded in the heat wave of 2003?

Answer 13

1. 12

2. 70,000

Question 14

What can high temperatures raise / exacerbate?

Answer 14

1. Level of ozone and other pollutants
2. Cardiovascular disease
3. Respiratory disease

Question 15

What percentage of the poorest 1 billion peoples carbon footprint, in relation to the global total footprint?

Answer 15

3% - yet these countries are effected most by climate change

Question 16

How much greater is the global environmental change, on healthy life years in African populations, in comparison with European populations?

Answer 16

500 times greater

Question 17

1. What percentage of the worlds population could face severe food shortages by the end of the century?
2. Why?

Answer 17

1. 50%

2. Rising temperature taking their toll on farmers crops

Question 18

What will happen if the sea levels rise by up to 13m by the middle of next century?

Answer 18

More than 1 billion people will be displaced in environmental mass migration