NEJM Catalyst: Decarbonizing Health Care: Measuring Carbon Footprint Impact of a National VA Telehealth Program
Health care systems are increasingly recognizing the environmental harms generated by medical care and are seeking to reduce their carbon footprints. This study examined the Advanced Comprehensive Diabetes Care, an evidence-based telehealth program for diabetes patients in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system that has concurrently improved patient care and reduced the VA’s carbon footprint. The authors estimate that the program has prevented over 200,000 miles of driving, saving around US$20,000 in gasoline costs for patients and 82 metric tons of carbon dioxide emission compared with equivalent in-person care. ACDC provides a template for improving health outcomes and patient as well as provider satisfaction while saving money and producing measurable reductions in carbon footprint.