The most widely circulated general medical journal in the world is launching a series on the health impact of climate change.

The series from JAMA “is intended to stimulate improved knowledge and understanding of the health effects of climate change to help foster commitment to timely action to prevent adverse health events from climate change,” says an introductory “JAMA Insights” article.

“Action and leadership should begin now to improve resilience in health systems and minimize the contribution of medical practice to climate change. Sustained and meaningful investment to reduce climate change and mitigate its effect on health are needed. Without this, adverse health consequences of climate change will continue to increase,” says the article, written by Kristie L. Ebi, PhD, and Jeremy J. Hess, MD, MPH, of the University of Washington Center for Health and Global Environment in Seattle. In addition to writing the first article in the series, Ebi and Dr. Hess will serve as guest editors to further develop it.

The JAMA series is part of a wider movement in medicine to understand climate change’s health impact and take action to address it.

My latest for the AMA. The whole shebang.