New technologies for preventing, and treating the health impacts of climate change: A review for nurses

Climate change poses profound threats to human health through increased extreme weather events, rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and shifting ecosystems. These changes exacerbate heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases (e.g., dengue, malaria), respiratory disorders from poor air quality and wildfires, mental health issues such as eco-anxiety and post-disaster trauma, food and water insecurity, and displacement-related vulnerabilities. Nurses, as the largest group of healthcare professionals and frontline responders, are uniquely positioned to address these challenges but require knowledge of emerging technological solutions to effectively reduce, prevent, and treat climate-induced health impacts. This narrative review examines innovative technologies, including wearable biosensors for real-time heat stress monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for predictive modeling of disease outbreaks and environmental risks, telemedicine and digital health platforms for remote care in climate-vulnerable regions, mobile applications for community education and behavior change, early warning systems integrating satellite data and IoT sensors, and sustainable healthcare innovations such as green medical devices and low-carbon protocols. These tools empower nurses to enhance early detection, personalize care, promote prevention, and advocate for health equity. Integration into nursing workflows can strengthen health system resilience and reduce the environmental footprint of care delivery. Barriers including digital divides, ethical concerns, and resource limitations must be addressed through education, policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This review calls for curriculum updates and further research to optimize technology adoption in nursing practice.

کلیدواژه ها:

Climate Change ، Health Impacts ، Nursing Practice ، Technological Innovations ، Digital Health Tools ، Risk Reduction and Prevention