In a first, the New England Journal of Medicine published a scathing editorial on the failures of the current political leadership in managing our public health crisis. As a physician, I agree with the editors -- many in the current Administration have flouted public health guidelines, showing a direct disregard for public health. If our nation's leaders cannot do something as simple as wearing a mask, how can we expect them to tackle another growing public health concern -- the climate crisis?

"If our nation's leaders cannot do something as simple as wearing a mask, how can we expect them to tackle another growing public health concern -- the climate crisis?"

The climate crisis is a public health emergency that affects every one of us. According to the Pew Research Center, the economy and healthcare are the two most important issues that voters care about in the upcoming election. The climate crisis is #11, with 42% of registered voters listing it as a very important factor in their decision making. The last decade was the hottest on record -- how did the issue of climate change not make it to the top ten?

"While 72% of adults think global warming is happening, less than half of Americans think it will harm them personally. This knowledge gap is in part due to the insidious nature of climate change."

Despite becoming an issue of increasing concern over the past year, a major reason the climate crisis doesn't make the Top 10 is the misperception by many that it is a slow-moving threat. While 72% of adults think global warming is happening, less than half of Americans think it will harm them personally. This knowledge gap is in part due to the subtle, insidious nature of climate change. Because in reality, it manifests in most everything from racial inequity to the wildfires on the West Coast, and so on. Its presence extends to our health, which is why it has been declared a public health emergency, with disproportionate harm to vulnerable populations.

"The health implications of the climate crisis are frighteningly broad, and clinicians worldwide are seeing many of them already."

The health implications of the climate crisis are frighteningly broad, and clinicians worldwide are seeing many of them already. Mental health providers see rising rates of post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of growing and destructive natural disasters. In emergency rooms, elderly patients present with cardiac complications during the increasingly potent summer heatwaves. Infectious disease physicians see patients with Lyme disease in previously unaffected areas due to the changing climate.

"In an analysis of 10 climate-sensitive events during 2012, the health-related costs ... totaled $10 billion dollars. Therefore, the economy and healthcare are inseparable from the climate crisis."

The impact on health extends to access to care. It is not uncommon for wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters -- more destructive due to the effects of climate change -- to create environments where medical facilities are inaccessible to local residents or worse, have to be shut down, as happened last month in Willamette Valley.

Consider this: the economy and healthcare are top issues on voters' minds. In an analysis of 10 climate-sensitive events during 2012, the health-related costs from deaths, hospitalizations, and ER visits, totaled $10 billion dollars. Therefore, the economy and healthcare are inseparable from the climate crisis.

"For the first time in 20 years, climate change was an issue brought up by a moderator during a presidential debate. Again, proving its increased importance to the American public."

For the first time in 20 years, climate change was an issue brought up by a moderator during a presidential debate. Again, proving its increased importance to the American public. Environmental rollbacks by President Trump negatively impact the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the toxins we are exposed to. One of these, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), is considered one of the most important pieces of environmental legislation. This law requires the government to analyze the impact of new projects, such as the development of a pipeline or oil drilling, on the environment and health of the community, and consider alternate proposals and public opinion. A scale-back of this law has the potential to not only cause undue environmental harm, but it will also be particularly damaging to the health of poor communities and some communities of color who disproportionately live in areas affected by these projects.

"Voting for candidates next month (and in general) that prioritize green policy and support climate action is paramount to our health. Contrary to the President's claim, science does know..."

Voting for candidates next month (and in general) that prioritize green policy and support climate action is paramount to our health. Contrary to the President's claim, science does know, and it predicts that our future depends on our actions today.

When I went to medical school, I never envisioned that my role as a doctor would include both taking care of patients in the exam room and advocating for their health outside the clinic. But with public health under attack, medical care cannot stop at the clinic door. This is our moment to vote for the right future and pick science and health over party politics.