RSNA 2023: Omary on Radiology and Planetary Health

We spoke with Reed Omary from Vanderbilt University about how radiologists can help save the planet at RSNA 2023, the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America that is currently unfolding in Chicago. 

‘Radiologists have always been at the forefront of innovation, we have brought technology to benefit patients,’ he told Melisande Rouger on the second day of the meeting. ‘In a similar way, we can influence healthcare in general to take on the important cause of planetary health.’

There is a lot of opportunity for radiologists to link climate action to health equity, he went on. ‘When we try to reduce our emissions or waste that come out of our own health systems, we actually benefit the local communities that have been submitted to that pollution.’

Omary, who has recently taken a sabbatical to raise awareness of climate change, also took part in a session on how medical imaging professionals and equipment manufacturers can take action to help make health systems more sustainable. More about this session in the coming days.