Hazardous Omissions: Investigating the Lack of Environmental Health Education in Medical Training

Introduction: Environmental health (EH) is a critical aspect of public health. Exposures contribute significantly to health outcomes such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancers. Given this impact, there is a growing recognition of the need to integrate EH content into medical education. Additionally, many students use third-party resources to supplement their school’s curricula. However, there is little data assessing EH content in commonly used resources. Methods: A survey was sent to second, third-, and fourth-year students at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD) via email. This survey presented two clinical vignettes regarding EH and inquired about attitudes about its incorporation into formal curricula. Results were analyzed for trends amongst correctness, students’ desired specialties, and third-party resource use. Third-party resources were also analyzed for EH content. Results: Students performed poorly on the practice vignettes, demonstrating a lack of fundamental EH knowledge. Most were in support of EH being taught in their curriculum. There is also a significant reliance on third-party resources which have significant gaps in EH content. Discussion: Results reveal that NSU MD's curriculum and third-party resources fall short in covering EH topics. Survey results suggest that students value EH education and believe it should be included in their training. The reliance on third-party resources also highlights the need for better integration of EH content in both core curricula and supplemental materials. Addressing this gap is crucial to preparing future physicians to manage the environmental determinants of health effectively.