Work

Potential reduction in healthcare carbon footprint by autonomous artificial intelligence

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: There are efforts worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as they adversely affect the environment and human health 1 . Based on present, real world, mix of energy production methods (i.e., lacking renewables, nuclear, or other low or zero-carbon energy production), up to 10% of all annual GHG emissions may be due to healthcare processes and services 2 . The combined emissions of healthcare in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK have been estimated to be ~7.5 × 10 14 grams (g) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 -eq) annually 3 . These include energy use at the healthcare facility, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as its construction, provider, personnel and patient travel, training of physicians and other healthcare workers, healthcare technology and systems usage, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and cleaning and disposables 3 .

Source: npj Digital Medicine

DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00605-w

Authors: Risa M. Wolf, Michael D. Abramoff, Roomasa Channa, Chris Tava, Warren Clarida, Harold P. Lehmann

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Good health and well-being, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290