Texas PSR’s Environmental Health Elective Gains Rave Reviews from UT Dell Medical Students
Nine students completed the elective “Environmental Health: What Every Physician Should Know”, and were enthusiastic about their learning experience. One student wrote, “As a first-year medical student about to enter clinical rotations, I feel better prepared to holistically interview, examine, and treat the patients that I help take care of next year.”
Students learned from lectures given by physicians and other environmental health experts and participated in discussions on topics ranging from the health impacts of air and water pollution, global warming, and climate change to environmental impacts on mental health and how to be an effective advocate. A requirement of the course was that each student complete an educational or advocacy project.
One student developed a curriculum for elementary school students on healthy environments and the relationship between climate change and health; several wrote letters to the editor. One student team had their op-ed on gaps in care for the homeless during covid-19 published by the Austin American Statesman.