Environmental Medicine Education in the United States

Abstract

The relationship of the environment to human health has become increasingly important in recent years, although the capacity of many physicians to treat environmentally associated illnesses is questionable. In this article, the authors describe knowledge, limitations of practicing physicians and barriers to their greater understanding of environmental medicine. A current widespread lack of emphasis on environmental health topics at U.S. medical schools is discussed, as well as special environmental education programs and initiatives among medical specialty organizations.