Western Pacific Climate and Health Responder Course

Introduction

Climate change poses significant health risks in the Asia Pacific Region, particularly in the rise of vector-borne, waterborne and foodborne illnesses due to extreme weather events. Record rainfalls result in widespread flooding and consequential outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, such as Japanese encephalitis virus, Ross River virus, and dengue fever. Sea level rise, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, further threatens population physical and mental health. Each year, 3.5 million people in the region die from environmental causes, with air pollution alone claiming a life every 14 seconds. Record-breaking droughts, heatwaves, typhoons, floods, and wildfires in 2020 and 2021 placed additional strain on health systems already grappling with the challenges posed by COVID-19. Pacific island countries bear the brunt of climate impacts, facing rising sea levels, tropical storms, and water scarcity. Health systems in these areas are particularly susceptible due to infrastructure damage, disruptions in medical supply chains and energy access issues, making it challenging to maintain consistent and effective healthcare services. In addition to climate-related challenges, rapid economic development in parts of the region contributes to a rise in air pollution and noncommunicable diseases, resulting in 2.2 million deaths annually. Due to increased susceptibility to extreme temperatures, weakened immune systems, and limited ability to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions, pediatric populations and the elderly are at high risk to the health impact of climate change. 

To meet these challenges, health professionals must understand the dynamics governing the interactions of climate and health, the scientific basis of this interaction of climate change on human health, and the potential benefits and limitations of adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building solutions. The ability to apply these principles to the development of meaningful measures and public health intervention is also critical. Although the field of climate change and health is rapidly evolving, significant gaps exist. To address this shortcoming, training programs and curricula are greatly needed to increase and build capacity among clinicians, public health staff, emergency responders, and educators, and relevant policymakers.

Program Description

The Climate and Health Responder Course was developed through a partnership between the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE), and regional partners, such as the University of Sydney, Lancet Countdown Oceania Regional Centre, Lancet Countdown Asia, Macquarie University, Monash University, University of Canberra, The University of New South Wales, Sunway University, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, Planetary Health Philippines, Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, and HEAL Global Research Centre. By targeting health professionals, this course aims to address this critical need. 

The key goals are to:

• Increase health professionals’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and communication skills related to the climate change and health.
• Expand global workforce capacity to develop and implement educational programs on climate change and health. 
• Build and strengthen an agile and informed community around climate and health education, advocacy, and policy.

Audience

All professionals interested in climate and health are welcome! 

The course is open to physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, national, sub-national, and local public health workers, hospital administrators, health system leaders, health educators, policymakers, environmental health professionals, government officials, journalists, advocates, and others working in an area directly or indirectly impacted by climate change.  

Live Course Primary Language: English 

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Participants who attend >70% of the live sessions and pass the final exam with a score of >70% at the end of the course will be awarded a Certificate of Participation in climate and health from the GCCHE.

Participants must join each class session using their personal unique Zoom links and complete the final exam using the email address used to initially register for the course. Attendance will be automatically recorded during the live Zoom sessions. The exam will be sent out on the final day of class via email. The exam link starts on April 15 at 6:00 PM AEST and will close on April 18 at 6:00 PM AEST. The format of the final exam will consist of a combination of multiple choice and true/false questions. Participants should be prepared to take the exam in one sitting, as the system does not take the answers if you answer the exam at various times during the 72 hours that the link will be open. Once you finish your exam you will find the Course Evaluation Survey. 

Course Structure

The course will consist of twice-weekly live-virtual sessions (90 minutes), offered in English. Each session will consist of 45 minutes of “theory/foundation” followed by a case study. Lectures will be delivered by local and regional experts from the field. Each session will include a live question and answer segment; questions will be consolidated by the training team and addressed by expert lecturers. Resources (i.e., frameworks and recommended readings) will be provided to participants following each session. Video recordings will be available following each session for asynchronous view.

Session Topics & Resources:

1. MAR 11, Climate Change for the Health Professional
2. MAR 13, Degraded Air Quality
3. MAR 18, Extreme Weather Events and Disasters - Typhoons and Flooding
4. MAR 20, Temperature Related Illness and Mortality
5. MAR 25, Climate Extremes, Agriculture, Food and Water Security
6. MAR 27, Vector-borne and Zoonotic Disease and Climate Change
7. APR 03, Climate Change and Mental Health
8. APR 08, Health System Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate
9. APR 10, Health Co-Benefits of Climate Action
10. APR 15, Advancing Climate Justice Through Climate Change Communication, Engagement, and Advocacy