The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) has released a position statement highlighting the critical role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in addressing the health impacts of global climate change on older adults. The statement aligns with the American Nurses Association (ANA)’s position on climate change, which recognizes climate change as a critical public health issue requiring urgent action. Like ANA, GAPNA emphasizes the responsibility of nurses to integrate climate science into education, research, and practice while working collaboratively with other health care professionals, community organizations, and policymakers to address climate-related health risks.
Dr. Valerie Sabol, PhD, MBA, ACNP-BC, GNP-BC, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN, the primary author of the position statement and a past president of GAPNA, said, “As APNs, we must integrate climate-informed care into every aspect of geriatric health. Older adults face heightened risks from extreme weather, air pollution, and natural disasters, making it essential that we approach their care through a climate-informed lens.”
This position statement, backed by the latest data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emphasizes the necessity for APNs to integrate climate-informed care into their clinical practices, education, and advocacy efforts. With the aging global population expected to double by 2050, GAPNA recognizes that older adults are especially vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, rising temperatures, air pollution, and threats to food and water security.
Read GAPNA’s full Position Statement here.
As healthcare providers, APNs play a crucial role in mitigating and adapting to the health risks posed by climate change, including exacerbated cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, heat-related illnesses, mental health challenges, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. GAPNA’s position statement calls for APNs to take proactive steps, such as advocating for climate policies, promoting resilience in aging populations, and integrating climate science into geriatric nursing education and practice.
GAPNA’s position statement serves as a critical resource for clinicians, educators, and researchers dedicated to improving the health of older adults in a rapidly changing world. The organization calls for enhanced collaboration with other professional groups, such as the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), to provide education, advocacy, and strategies for addressing climate-related health issues.
Key Impacts of Climate Change on Older Adults
- Heat-Related Illnesses: Older adults are susceptible to extreme heat, which can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and heat stroke. APNs must assess environmental risks when managing chronic conditions and prescribe medications carefully.
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Stress: Rising temperatures and poor air quality exacerbate existing heart and lung conditions, increasing the risk of hospitalization and mortality.
- Natural Disasters: Older adults are more likely to suffer from the physical and emotional toll of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. APNs must help patients prepare disaster plans and ensure access to health care during emergencies.
- Mental Health Strain: Climate change-related events contribute to anxiety, PTSD, and depression in older adults, particularly those with preexisting mental health conditions.
In addition to direct health risks, GAPNA acknowledges the psychological toll of climate change, such as ecoanxiety and trauma associated with environmental events. The statement emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care for older adults facing these unprecedented challenges.
GAPNA urges health care professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to join in addressing the health risks posed by climate change and to prioritize climate justice for aging populations.
Dr. Sabol said, “The impact of climate change on older adults is not a distant concern; it is a present and growing crisis. APNs must lead the charge in advocating for policies that protect aging populations, ensuring they have access to the care, resources, and preparedness needed to navigate environmental challenges with resilience.”
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