What do fossil fuels have to do with medicine?
We know a shortage of oil makes driving more expensive – but does that directly affect healthcare
1. Operational:
a. Hospitals are the second biggest consumer of energy, behind restaurants. Sharp energy cost increases since 2004.
b. Vast array of products, medicines, and equipment made from petroleum.
c. $5 a gallon diesel put ambulance companies close to bankruptcy in 2008; blood donations fell off with $4gas; just-in-time delivery of goods was jeopardized –many hospitals have no warehouse space.
2. Socioeconomic:
a. Medical resources become more expensive and some eventually scarce; many are imported and depend on overseas (oil powered) shipping.
b. Population Level Health (Social Determinants of Health):
i. Expect a surge in medical care needs as unemployment and poverty increase.
ii. “Risky Shift” behaviors as people face “heat or eat” dilemmas.
c. General practice rejuvenated, specializations reduced to save energy and funds.
d. Financing:
i. Insurance companies raise premiums as public is less able to pay. Nationalization possible.
ii. Government will reduce R & D funding and possibly level of support for medical care. Again, nationalization possible to prevent catastrophe.
iii. Peak oil makes a return to previous levels of consumption unlikely, probably impossible.
3. Medical Ethics:
a. Medical ethics have rarely addressed operating in a resource-scarce society.
b. Rationing of care likely. Can we plan for this possibility.