Bethesda, MD (Oct. 18, 2022) - A task force of GIs from the four major U.S. gastroenterology (GI) societies - American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) - have released a multi-society strategic plan outlining goals and milestones the GI specialty needs to achieve to reduce the environmental impact of the practice.
Key takeaway: As a procedure intense subspecialty, gastroenterology, and in particular endoscopy, is a major contributor to health care's carbon footprint and other environmental impacts. Endoscopy is the third largest generator of medical waste in a hospital (2 kg total waste per procedure) with most ending in landfills. With this strategic plan, the participating societies are committed to promoting and supporting a sustainable, high-quality GI practice.
The U.S. GI multi-society strategic plan, which has also been endorsed by 23 GI societies globally (see below), is a collaborative effort that invites members to undertake initiatives to establish an environmentally sustainable, high-quality practice and promote planetary health. Each society will prioritize and adapt their initiatives in accordance with their individual societal goals. Some initiatives may be undertaken by a single society, whereas other objectives and initiatives maybe approached jointly. It is a five-year plan that covers seven major domains:
- Clinical setting
- Education
- Research
- Society efforts
- Intersociety efforts
- Industry
- Advocacy
The plan was developed by the U.S. Multi-GI Society Task Force on Climate Change, which is comprised of leading experts from AASLD, ACG, AGA and ASGE.
For more information, view the full publication: GI multisociety strategic plan on environmental sustainability, published in Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, HEPATOLOGY and The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Endorsing Societies of the Strategic Plan of the U.S. Multi-GI Society Task Force on Climate Change
- African Middle East Association for Gastroenterology
- American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association
- American Pancreatic Association
- Asia Pacific Association of Gastroenterology
- Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists
- British Association for the Study of the Liver
- British Society of Gastroenterology
- Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
- Digestive Health Physicians Association
- European Association for the Study of the Liver
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers
- Indian Society of Gastroenterology
- Iranian Association of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
- Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
- Norwegian Gastroenterology Society
- Pan American Organization of Gastroenterology
- Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
- Women in Endoscopy
- World Endoscopy Organization
- World Gastroenterology Organisation
