Brian Drummond
Oct 26, 2025
Happy Halloween, this is the combined Sept/Oct newsletter as there was not tons in Sept so I decided to combine the 2 months. I will likely do this for Nov/Dec as well.
Since people have voted for an orange pumpkin head in the White House, how do we address our addiction to fossil fuels that is hurting our patients' health?
Attached is a survey that different verbiage for this issue and who it resonates with
Check it out to help with your discussions on the topic
Gloves Off- Yvonne Huckleberry has championed this campaign not only at Banner but through our state meetings other medical centers including Duke, Carolinas and New Jersey are starting their own efforts. Here is a google drive link from our State Chapter Health Care Sustainability Committee with lots of resources for gloves off.
Why is this important?
Glove use has surged since COVID while hand hygiene has tanked, leading to more infectious exposures for our patients from healthcare workers.
Reducing glove use is a pure cost saving, for example at Banner South in Tucson we spent $2.2 million in gloves last year, a 10% reduction in usage leads to a $220K savings- great way to show sustainable healthcare is financially viable
Gloves use over a gallon of water/glove to make as well as a plastic waste production made from oil.
Sustainable Surgery Ambulatory Centers- Part of the same group has worked on creating a go by for ambulatory surgery centers to help with reducing their impact on our patients health and become more sustainable. Shave this info with anyone who you know in the surgery center or teams trying to green the OR. If you want someone to present on this, reach out to Dr. Claire Gervais cmgerva@gmail.com who is from the Wisconsin State chapter.
Here are the videos we shot for Plug in America:
-Feel free to share on socials, even though tax credit is gone there switching to EV is a huge dent in air pollution, financial savings in fuel and extreme temperatures.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r7zYn6Ap1Dbu7QaTaIDN6F0hNtUOy4jn/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oTmT7vUUmf8Eyk-fB-8K6-cLiyH-rs4F/view
Cheap Clean Energy is what matters
In Arizona- transportation and energy production make up 90% of our fossil fuel consumption and source of air pollution.
This is a recent poll that looked at what people really care about right now and as costs are going up, especially energy prices, more data for why solar and wind as the cheapest source of new power are great for climate health and the pocketbook.
Welcome Trini, Alona, Christofer, Wasmeen, Casey, Tracy, Allison, Jeffrey, and Lilia- all of whom were in attendance at the Arizona Asthma and Allergy Conference- thank you for your interest and joining the team!
Enjoy this cooler weather!
Brian
ACTION ITEMS:
Tucson Folks: Restoring Our Watershed—One Cleanup at a Time
It’s important that we keep trash and pollution out of our creeks for the health of our watershed and for all the plants and animals in our riparian areas. Join our efforts across the watershed this season as we explore the landscape, pick up trash, and remove Arundo in the Rillito and Julian Wash.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
1. 2026 Climate & Health Equity Fellowship Application
The purpose of this fellowship is to increase the number of physician leaders in climate and health equity from racial/ethnic groups that are underrepresented in medicine. Join our sixth cohort—apply by November 15!
Applications are open for the 2026 class of the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship until November 15, 2025.
2. Registration is now open for the 2026 Our Planet, Our Health Convention!
This event offers a unique opportunity to build community, earn CME/CE credits, and shape a tiered local to national agenda—at a critical time when climate disasters are worsening and federal action is stalling. Register here.
3. Promoting Climate Action Through Quality and Safety Activities
November 19, 2025
Join Idaho Clinicians for Climate and Health and St. Luke's Health System for a dynamic session with Dr. Komal Bajaj and Dr. Hardeep Singh. They will explore how health care professionals can leverage quality and safety initiatives to drive meaningful climate action. Gain insights into system-level innovations, tools, and frameworks.
4. The AAC 19th Annual Arizona Asthma & Allergy Clinical Conf, Wheezing & Sneezing in the Desert,
-I will be presenting and hope to see some of you there.
The flyer is attached.
5. Launch of the 2025 Global Report of the Lancet Countdown
October 29, 2025
The 2025 Global Report of the Lancet Countdown provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of the connections between climate change and health. Representing the work of 128 leading experts from 71 academic institutions and UN agencies globally, it provides critical insights and serves as a key resource in the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil.
6. Resilient Care, Resilient Communities: Climate Solutions in Healthcare and Public Health Systems
November 14, 2025
In the final session of our Climate & Health Equity Webinar Series, Dr. Julian Watkins and Lilliana DeSantiago Cardenas will engage in a thoughtful discussion about equitable climate solutions within healthcare and public health.
NEWS on CLIMATE AND HEALTH:
AZ Mirror
Solar advocates warn EPA cuts to solar energy send Arizona backwards amid energy demands
With Arizona’s abundance of sunshine, advocates for solar energy are worried that the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to cut the $7 billion Solar for All program is sending the state and country backwards, right when energy demands are as high as the summer temperatures. State Rep. Sarah Liguori, D-Phoenix, along with advocates for the solar industry held a press conference outside of a Phoenix home Tuesday afternoon that utilizes solar energy to underscore the importance of the technology.
Herald Review
In late May, as the outside temperature approached 100 degrees, Arizona’s top water policy officials gathered in an air-conditioned Phoenix conference room. Their purpose that day was to decide whether the state should extend a longstanding drought emergency declaration. The standard indicators – minimal precipitation, low reservoirs, the second-hottest 12-month period on record – were not encouraging. Halfway through the 90-minute meeting, gallows humor lightened the mood.
Upcoming Events at AZHPCA (anyone is welcome to attend):
AZHPCA Steering Committee (at 1200pm):
AZHPCA Sustainability Committee Meetings (at 1200pm):
Will be getting future dates on the calendar shortly
-If these topics interest you please join AZHPCA
Brian