Overview

• A UCLA-led study published in the American Journal of Managed Care reveals telemedicine reduced monthly carbon emissions in 2023 by 21.4 to 47.6 million kilograms.
• Researchers estimated that between 741,000 and 1.35 million of the nearly 1.5 million telemedicine visits studied replaced in-person appointments.
• The emissions savings are primarily attributed to avoided travel, with rural patients benefiting the most due to longer driving distances.
• The U.S. healthcare sector contributes 9% of national greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation accounts for 29%, highlighting telemedicine’s potential environmental impact.
• The findings are influencing congressional discussions on extending pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, though declining telemedicine use could limit future emissions savings.