Reducing vitamin D testing could help reduce healthcare carbon costs
From the national stand
HT/David Archibald
Even more ridiculous counting of angels dancing on pinheads, of fools scouring every corner of human activity for the dreaded carbon footprint.
Unnecessary vitamin D testing in Australia costs our healthcare system up to $87 million and leaves a significant carbon footprint that would otherwise be avoidable, researchers say.
Unnecessary vitamin D testing in Australia costs our healthcare system up to $87 million and contributes to the sector’s significant but avoidable carbon footprint, researchers say.
A study examining the climate impact of low-value health activities in Australia found that unnecessary vitamin D testing generated CO2 emissions 59 times those of driving from Sydney to Perth by car.
The researchers say that in 2020, unnecessary vitamin D testing in Australia cost the healthcare system over $87 million (AUD) and had a carbon footprint of 28,000 to 42,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (kg CO2e).
The carbon footprint of vitamin D testing was calculated from the emissions embedded in the blood collection devices such as needles, syringes and glass tubes. They have to be manufactured, distributed and disposed of, which causes CO2 emissions.
Reducing unnecessary vitamin D testing could help reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare in the country.
https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/cutting-down-vitamin-d-tests-could-help-lower-carbon-cost-of-healthcare/
David noted in his tip to WUWT:
Vitamin D blood tests in Australia produce 37 tonnes of CO2 per year. Reason enough to reduce their environmental impact. A 787 flying non-stop from Australia to London will produce 270 tons of carbon dioxide.
From the article. It’s worse than we thought/think/imagine
CO2 costs most likely “underestimated”
The researchers say the estimate of carbon emissions and costs from unnecessary vitamin D testing in Australia is most likely an underestimate. The analysis used Medicare records, meaning tests not covered by Medicare were not included in their calculations.
https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/cutting-down-vitamin-d-tests-could-help-lower-carbon-cost-of-healthcare/
Read the full article here.
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