In this episode, the Family Docs Podcast hosts Dr. Rob Assibey and Dr. Cynthia Chen-Joea discuss climate informed patient care and what it means for family physicians in everyday practice. Climate related health impacts are showing up in the exam room through heat related illness, poor air quality, and changing patterns of infectious disease. Dr. Diana Howard and Dr. Alex Sherriffs share what they are seeing in practice and offer practical strategies family physicians can use to better support their patients. They also talk about who is most vulnerable and review a few simple steps physicians can counsel patients about climate related health risks.
Guests:
Diana Howard, MD, AAHIVS is a Family Medicine and HIV specialist who advocates for inclusive, climate-informed medicine that protects vulnerable communities. As UC San Francisco faculty, she empowers residents to understand how a changing climate impacts primary care. Dr. Howard is a constant advocate for medical trainees' involvement in CAFP activities.
Alex Sherriffs, MD, FAAFP is a Family Medicine physician and air quality/climate health advocate who has lived and practiced in California's Central Valley for over 52 years. As UC San Francisco faculty, he integrates climate science into primary care and medical education, focusing on geriatrics, environmental health, prevention, and health equity. Dr. Sherriffs brings regional insight into the health impacts of extreme heat, air pollution, wildfire smoke, and climate-sensitive diseases.
Resources:
- CAFP Online Education: Climate Informed Patient Care education.familydocs.org/climate
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Climate Change and Health resources available at familydocs.org/climatehealth.
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Heat Illness & Vulnerable Populations presentation at 2026 Family Medicine POP!, August 21-23, 2026 in San Diego - familydocs.org/pop
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CalEnviroScreen (oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen): Identifies populations who are burdened by multiple sources of pollution
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California Air Districts ww2.arb.ca.gov/california-air-districts
Information:
This episode of the Family Docs Podcast was supported by the American Board of Family Medicine
The Family Docs podcast is developed, produced, and recorded by the California Academy of Family Physicians. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent or the California Academy of Family Physicians. More information at www.familydocs.org/podcast.
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