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Marzban A. Nurses’ Preparedness for Climate Change-Related Crises: Strategies and Challenges. IJN 2025; 38 (S1 )
URL: http://ijn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3888-en.html
URL: http://ijn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3888-en.html
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , amenemarzban@yahoo.com
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Dear Editor
Climate change, as one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, has far-reaching impacts on human health and the health system function [1]. Rising temperatures, shifts in precipitation patterns, extinction of plant and animal species, and emergence of new diseases pose serious threats to human societies [2]. Natural disasters such as floods, storms, and droughts not only damage critical infrastructure but also lead to immigration, increased disease burden, and added pressure on health systems [3]. In this context, nurses who form the backbone of healthcare delivery systems, play a vital role in responding to climate change-related crises [4]. They are at the front lines of patient care, disaster management, and support for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses [5]. However, nurses’ preparedness to face the consequences of climate change is challenged by political, economic, social, and psychological factors. Weak implementation of international policies, limited financial resources for training and equipping healthcare personnel, climate change-induced migration, and change of disease patterns all hinder nurses’ capacity to respond effectively. Moreover, increased workloads, psychological stress, and job burnout further threaten their mental well-being [6, 7]
To enhance nurses’ readiness for climate change-related crises, a multidimensional approach is essential. Key strategies include: Designing specialized training programs for disaster management, teaching decision-making skills for emergency situations, and strengthening psychological resilience. Organizational support through adequate funding, equitable resource distribution policies, and the integration of advanced technologies such as early warning systems and artificial intelligence can significantly improve the effectiveness of health responses [5, 6, 8, 9].
Climate change, as one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, has far-reaching impacts on human health and the health system function [1]. Rising temperatures, shifts in precipitation patterns, extinction of plant and animal species, and emergence of new diseases pose serious threats to human societies [2]. Natural disasters such as floods, storms, and droughts not only damage critical infrastructure but also lead to immigration, increased disease burden, and added pressure on health systems [3]. In this context, nurses who form the backbone of healthcare delivery systems, play a vital role in responding to climate change-related crises [4]. They are at the front lines of patient care, disaster management, and support for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses [5]. However, nurses’ preparedness to face the consequences of climate change is challenged by political, economic, social, and psychological factors. Weak implementation of international policies, limited financial resources for training and equipping healthcare personnel, climate change-induced migration, and change of disease patterns all hinder nurses’ capacity to respond effectively. Moreover, increased workloads, psychological stress, and job burnout further threaten their mental well-being [6, 7]
To enhance nurses’ readiness for climate change-related crises, a multidimensional approach is essential. Key strategies include: Designing specialized training programs for disaster management, teaching decision-making skills for emergency situations, and strengthening psychological resilience. Organizational support through adequate funding, equitable resource distribution policies, and the integration of advanced technologies such as early warning systems and artificial intelligence can significantly improve the effectiveness of health responses [5, 6, 8, 9].
References
1. Marzban A, Ahmadi Marzaleh M, Razmi MR, Emami P. Climate change: Educational needs of students. Environ. Health Eng. Manag. 2025; 12:1361. [DOI:10.34172/EHEM.1361]
2. Marzban A, Khanizade A. The Impact of Climate Change on Food Prices and Access: Climate Anxiety and Community Reactions. J Nutr Food Secur. 2025; 10(4):489-91. [DOI:10.18502/jnfs.v10i4.20003]
3. Marzban A, Dowlati M, Sadeghi-Nodoushan F. The Effects of Climate Change on Food Security. J Nutr Food Secur. 2023; 8(3):340-2. [DOI:10.18502/jnfs.v8i3.13279]
4. Chau PH, Yu TLT, Hu Y, Palmeiro Silva YK, Gilder E, Cole M, et al. Preparedness of nurses for climate change: Questionnaire development and preliminary validation. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2025; 8:100337. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijnsa.2025.100337] [PMID]
5. Gaudreau C, Guillaumie L, Jobin É, Diallo TA. Nurses and Climate Change: A Narrative Review of Nursing Associations' Recommendations for Integrating Climate Change Mitigation Strategies. Can J Nurs Res. 2024; 56(3):193-203. [DOI:10.1177/08445621241229932] [PMID]
6. Kalogirou MR, Dahlke S, Davidson S, Yamamoto S. Nurses’ perspectives on climate change, health and nursing practice. J Clin Nurs. 2020; 29(23-24):4759-68. [DOI:10.1111/jocn.15519] [PMID]
7. Mani ZA, Naylor K, Goniewicz K. Essential competencies of nurses for climate change response in Saudi Arabia: A rapid literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2025; 81(12):8116-31.[DOI:10.1111/jan.16372] [PMID]
8. Rempel H, Kalogirou MR, Dahlke S, Hunter KF. Understanding nurses' experience of climate change and then climate action in Western Canada. J Adv Nurs. 2025; 81(12):8182-90.[DOI:10.1111/jan.16094] [PMID]
9. Akore Yeboah E, Adegboye ARA, Kneafsey R. Nurses' perceptions, attitudes, and perspectives in relation to climate change and sustainable healthcare practices: A systematic review. J Clim Chang Health. 2023; 16:100290. [DOI:10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100290] [PMID]
1. Marzban A, Ahmadi Marzaleh M, Razmi MR, Emami P. Climate change: Educational needs of students. Environ. Health Eng. Manag. 2025; 12:1361. [DOI:10.34172/EHEM.1361]
2. Marzban A, Khanizade A. The Impact of Climate Change on Food Prices and Access: Climate Anxiety and Community Reactions. J Nutr Food Secur. 2025; 10(4):489-91. [DOI:10.18502/jnfs.v10i4.20003]
3. Marzban A, Dowlati M, Sadeghi-Nodoushan F. The Effects of Climate Change on Food Security. J Nutr Food Secur. 2023; 8(3):340-2. [DOI:10.18502/jnfs.v8i3.13279]
4. Chau PH, Yu TLT, Hu Y, Palmeiro Silva YK, Gilder E, Cole M, et al. Preparedness of nurses for climate change: Questionnaire development and preliminary validation. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2025; 8:100337. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijnsa.2025.100337] [PMID]
5. Gaudreau C, Guillaumie L, Jobin É, Diallo TA. Nurses and Climate Change: A Narrative Review of Nursing Associations' Recommendations for Integrating Climate Change Mitigation Strategies. Can J Nurs Res. 2024; 56(3):193-203. [DOI:10.1177/08445621241229932] [PMID]
6. Kalogirou MR, Dahlke S, Davidson S, Yamamoto S. Nurses’ perspectives on climate change, health and nursing practice. J Clin Nurs. 2020; 29(23-24):4759-68. [DOI:10.1111/jocn.15519] [PMID]
7. Mani ZA, Naylor K, Goniewicz K. Essential competencies of nurses for climate change response in Saudi Arabia: A rapid literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2025; 81(12):8116-31.[DOI:10.1111/jan.16372] [PMID]
8. Rempel H, Kalogirou MR, Dahlke S, Hunter KF. Understanding nurses' experience of climate change and then climate action in Western Canada. J Adv Nurs. 2025; 81(12):8182-90.[DOI:10.1111/jan.16094] [PMID]
9. Akore Yeboah E, Adegboye ARA, Kneafsey R. Nurses' perceptions, attitudes, and perspectives in relation to climate change and sustainable healthcare practices: A systematic review. J Clim Chang Health. 2023; 16:100290. [DOI:10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100290] [PMID]
Type of Study: Letter to the Editor |
Subject:
nursing
Received: 2025/03/15 | Accepted: 2025/12/22 | Published: 2025/03/21
Received: 2025/03/15 | Accepted: 2025/12/22 | Published: 2025/03/21
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