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Incorporating climate impact in health care decisions: new criteria to be tested in the Netherlands

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: One of the ways in which healthcare's climate impact can be reduced is by taking greenhouse gas emissions into account when deciding which treatments are reimbursed and/or included in clinical guidelines. In a report for the Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sports in the Netherlands, we explored how this idea could be put into practice. We developed a set of two criteria: greenhouse gas emissions per patient (which can be compared to, for example, QALYs gained), and total amount of greenhouse gas emissions for all patients undergoing the intervention (which can be compared to, e.g., healthcare's remaining carbon budget). In the coming three years, the National Health Care Institute will use these criteria in an experimental setting, to gain practical experience and to assess whether there is sufficient support among policy makers, practitioners, and patients for taking into account climate impact regularly.

Source: International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

DOI: 10.1017/s0266462326103845

Authors: Johan P. Mackenbach, Jacqueline Zwaap, Saskia Knies

Institutions: Erasmus MC, Zorginstituut Nederland

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,550