The Environmental Impact of Patient Travel for Healthcare

March 31, 2025 - 17:10

Hanna Zurl, MD, a research fellow in the Department of Urology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Center for Surgery and Public Health, has led a significant study examining the carbon emissions generated by patient travel for healthcare. The findings, published in a recent issue of JAMA, highlight the often-overlooked environmental footprint associated with medical visits.

The research underscores that patient travel contributes substantially to healthcare-related carbon emissions, a factor that has gained increasing attention in the context of climate change. The study reveals that as healthcare systems continue to expand, the need for patients to travel further for specialized care can exacerbate this issue.

Zurl emphasizes the importance of understanding these emissions as part of broader efforts to make healthcare more sustainable. By addressing the transportation aspect of healthcare, there is potential to not only reduce carbon footprints but also improve access to care through innovative solutions. This research opens the door for future initiatives aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of healthcare delivery.