Method for Assessing the Environmental Impact of Chronic Disease Treatments

Abstract

The healthcare industry is increasingly being asked to account for the negative environmental impacts generated in the course of providing medical care. This study expands on a growing body of research to present a model for the use of established process life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies to quantify the environmental and public health impacts of chronic disease treatments. The study investigates the impacts generated by two Type 2 diabetes (T2d) treatment protocols in the United States and Sri Lanka. The functional unit of the study was the inputs required to treat one T2d patient, with no additional medical complications, for one year. Inventory data for each treatment protocol was gathered from published literature, U.S. patent filings and in-person observations of medical clinics in the United States and Sri Lanka. Inventory data emissions were calculated using the Ecoinvent 3.0, Industry 2.0 and USCLI databases. The results of the study show that T2d as a global epidemic is measurably contributing to environmental degradation and negative public health outcomes of the wider non-diabetic community. Different treatment components contribute differently according to the specific impact being assessed. The results suggest that energy production, transportation and medication dosage strongly influence negative impacts. Improving and remotely monitoring patient health to lower medication dosages and reducing doctor visits are actions that can be taken by patients and healthcare providers. Governments and private sector actors can also champion renewable energy grids and safe active transportation infrastructure to promote the low impact exercise, decreased motor-vehicle transportation and decarbonized electricity.