Matej Mikulic
Research expert covering health, pharma & medtech
Medtech and the environment - statistics and facts
While delivering care, treating diseases, and saving lives, the global healthcare sector also produces a huge negative environmental impact. In countries such as Denmark, Japan, and Switzerland the healthcare sector produces over six percent of the country's total emissions. However, the United States has the healthcare sector with by far the largest footprint, accounting for 7.6 percent of total emissions. Furthermore, U.S. healthcare makes up almost 30 percent of the overall global emissions from healthcare. In a time when the connection between emissions and climate change is well established, as well as the harmful health effects that climate change creates, all industries must take action to lower their carbon footprint. All countries and people will be affected in some way by climate change, but low-income nations will be the most vulnerable.
