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Unnecessary vitamin D testing in Australia is costing our healthcare system up to $87 million and is contributing to the sector’s significant but avoidable carbon footprint, say researchers.
A study examining the climate impact of low-value healthcare activity in Australia has found that unnecessary vitamin D tests generated carbon emissions equivalent to a car driving from Sydney to Perth 59 times.
The researchers say in 2020 unnecessary vitamin D tests in Australia cost the healthcare system over $87 million (AUD) and had a carbon footprint of 28,000 to 42,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (kg CO2e).
The carbon footprint from vitamin D tests was calculated from the embedded emissions in the blood collection equipment such as needles, syringes and glass tubes. They have to be manufactured, distributed and disposed of, all of which generates carbon emissions.
Reducing unnecessary vitamin D tests could help lower the carbon footprint of healthcare in the country.
The University of Sydney led study was published in BMJ Open.
Healthcare has a significant carbon footprint: in 36 major countries it is responsible for 4.4 percent of annual global CO2e emissions. In Australia, healthcare represents 7 percent of national CO2e emissions.
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