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Journal of Nephrology

29-01-2025 | Climate Change | Original Article

Assessing the role of education level on climate change belief, concern and action: a multinational survey of healthcare professionals in nephrology

Authors: Shaifali Sandal, Ugochi Onu, Winston Fung, Maria Pippias, Brendan Smyth, Letizia De Chiara, Divya Bajpai, Workagegnehu Hailu Bilchut, Ehab Hafiz, Dearbhla M. Kelly, Peace Bagasha, Vivekanand Jha, Isabelle Ethier

Published in: Journal of Nephrology

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Abstract

Background

Climate change poses a significant risk to kidney health, and countries with lower national wealth are more vulnerable. Yet, citizens from lower-income countries demonstrate less concern for climate change than those from higher-income countries. Education is a key covariate. To examine its role in explaining this perception gap, we obtained the perspectives of a highly educated cohort of healthcare professionals.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals involved in kidney care. Responses were compared by the income level of the participant’s country (per World Bank).

Results

Of the 849 healthcare professionals from 107 countries (63.4% from lower and middle-income countries) that participated, most believed climate change was happening (97.9%), displayed a high level of concern (73.3%), and took personal action to combat climate change (62.0%). While the proportion who believed in climate change did not vary by income level (high:98.1%, upper-middle:97.2%, lower-middle:97.8%, low:100%, p = 0.73), the proportion with a higher level of concern (high:80.7%, upper-middle:74.9%, lower-middle:67.5%, low:53.8%, p < 0.001), and who took climate action (high:76.2%, upper-middle:63.1%, lower-middle:51.2%, low:30.8%, p < 0.001) decreased by national wealth. Barriers to involvement in sustainable kidney care were lack of time (54.4%), knowledge (39.7%), and peer support (30.3%). Only 34.0% were aware of national mitigation plans and barriers related to finances, technologies, tools, methods, research, and evidence were perceived as greater obstacles in lower-income countries.

Conclusions

Our results highlight that predictors and correlates of climate change risk perception vary across countries. Education alone is unlikely to increase individual and group engagement in climate change. A better understanding of these factors can inform strategies towards climate action in different settings.

Graphical abstract

Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Assessing the role of education level on climate change belief, concern and action: a multinational survey of healthcare professionals in nephrology
Authors
Shaifali Sandal
Ugochi Onu
Winston Fung
Maria Pippias
Brendan Smyth
Letizia De Chiara
Divya Bajpai
Workagegnehu Hailu Bilchut
Ehab Hafiz
Dearbhla M. Kelly
Peace Bagasha
Vivekanand Jha
Isabelle Ethier
Publication date
29-01-2025
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Keyword
Climate Change
Published in
Journal of Nephrology
Print ISSN: 1121-8428
Electronic ISSN: 1724-6059
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-024-02195-0

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