Western Pacific Climate and Health Responder Course

Description: This session provides an in-depth exploration of the intersection between climate change and human health, emphasizing the crucial role of health professionals in engaging in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies, and current policy priorities in the Western Pacific context. Through case studies and discussions, the session will explore how climate change disproportionately impacts socioeconomically, racially, and ethnically marginalized communities both locally and globally, leading to disparate health outcomes and the urgency of trans-sectoral solutions in addressing these challenges. 

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the general mechanism of the greenhouse effect and describe how human activities, mainly the combustion of fossil fuels, are exacerbating this natural phenomenon

• Distinguish between climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience

• Explain the main health impacts of climate change, how the health sector contributes to climate change and environmental degradation

• Identify the ways in which climate change preferentially impacts socioeconomically, racially, or ethnically marginalized communities locally and globally

• Describe the importance of health professionals in advocacy and policy making to address the climate and health crisis

• Describe the role of public health in monitoring, mitigating, and responding to the impact of climate change on human health

Description: This session will provide a comprehensive exploration of the pathways through which climate change affects air quality in the Western Pacific, including changes to ozone, PM2.5, wildfires, desert dust, and other ambient respiratory irritants. Participants will learn how these pollutants impact populations vulnerable to degraded air quality, considering factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and pre-existing health conditions. Participants will gain insights into public health measures to protect vulnerable populations and explore strategies for community-based interventions. Furthermore, the session will delve into the near-term health co-benefits of climate mitigation efforts, including improved air quality, at the individual, local, and global scales. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into examples of successful mitigation strategies, highlighting the potential for positive health outcomes associated with climate action.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the pathways through which climate change affects ozone, PM2.5, the occurrence of wildfires and other ambient respiratory irritants and aeroallergens in the Western Pacific region. Explain how these pollutants impact climate-sensitive respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular, and allergic diseases

• Identify populations that are vulnerable to degraded air quality

• Describe how health professionals can protect vulnerable patients, and teach about risk mitigation, such as limiting outside work and recreation during poor air quality days

• Describe the near-term health co-benefits (e.g. improved air quality) that arise because of climate mitigation at the individual, local, and global scales

Description: In this session, we will explore the increasing risks of extreme weather events, such as typhoons and flooding, driven by climate change in the Western Pacific. Participants will gain insights into the short-term and long-term health threats posed to patients and communities impacted by these events, and learn about actionable steps that health professionals can take within their roles to mitigate these risks. We'll delve into the various biological, social, economic, and structural factors that contribute to individuals' and populations' vulnerability to health impacts from extreme weather hazards, including the increasing incidence and prevalence of waterborne pathogens. Additionally, we will define the critical roles of disaster risk reduction, public health communication, early warning systems, and regional cooperation in preventing the health impacts of extreme weather events and minimizing migration.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the ways in which climate change increases the risk of extreme events such as typhoons, inland, and coastal flooding in the region 

• Describe how climate change affects the hydrosphere and water quality, leading to the emergence and re-emergence of disease outbreaks, particularly those caused by waterborne pathogens such as Leptospirosis, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Norovirus, and Vibrio

• Identify short-term and long-term health threats to patients and communities impacted by extreme weather events and steps that health professionals can take to reduce these risks

• Identify biologic, social, and structural factors that make individuals and populations more vulnerable to health impacts from extreme weather hazards

• Define the roles of health professionals and public health officials in disaster risk reduction, communication, early warning and regional cooperation in the prevention of the health impacts of extreme weather events

Description: This session focuses on current and projected changes to temperature and the increasing risks of extreme heat events in the Western Pacific. We will delve into the concept of "heat-sensitive" health conditions and explore how heat impacts the pathophysiology of various diseases, including cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, neurologic, mental health, and maternal conditions, while identifying medical diagnoses and other health determinants that render patients more vulnerable to heat-related illness. We will explore the role of heat early warning systems and other preventive measures in averting negative health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of proactive strategies in mitigating heat-related health risks. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical examples, this session aims to equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, address, and prevent the health impacts of extreme heat events in Western Pacific communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify current and projected changes to temperature and risks of extreme heat events in the Asia Pacific

• Define “heat sensitive” health conditions and cite examples of how heat impacts the pathophysiology of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, neurologic, and maternal health

• Identify medical diagnoses, medications, and other health determinants that make patients more vulnerable to climate-related health threats and steps that health professionals can take to reduce risks 

• Describe the role of public health practice and collaboration with the health system in preparing and responding to extreme heat waves

• Explore the role of heat early warning systems, public health surveillance, hospital-based surveillance systems, and other measures for monitoring and mitigating negative heat-related health outcomes

Description: This session explores the connections between climate extremes, agriculture, food, and water security in the Western Pacific. Participants will examine how climate change-induced shifts in temperature and precipitation threaten agricultural productivity, food security, and water availability, all of which are critical to public health. The session will also cover how extreme weather can lead to water scarcity or flooding, affecting both crop irrigation and drinking water supplies. Additionally, participants will learn about forecasting tools that use climate models to predict food and water insecurity, identify vulnerable regions, and enable proactive interventions. Case studies and discussions will highlight strategies to enhance food and water security, including drought-resistant crops, sustainable agriculture, water conservation techniques, and community-based adaptation initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how extremes of temperature and precipitation are affecting water security, food security, and malnutrition in the Western Pacific 

• Explore mechanism for forecasting food and water insecurity using climate models

• Explore examples of strategies to improve food and water security in a changing climate

• Explain how climate change affects all four dimensions of food security: availability, stability, access, and utilization

• Describe the relationship between agriculture (food, animal, plant) and GHG emissions, and the co-benefits of improved diets for mitigating climate change and addressing malnutrition

Description: This session provides a comprehensive exploration of the environmental processes changing as a result of climate change and their impact on the prevalence, incidence, and distribution of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases including Malaria, Dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, Schistosomiasis, Chikungunya, and Zika. Through case studies we will explore actionable steps that health professionals can take to identify and protect patients vulnerable to these diseases through targeted interventions, including early warning systems, and community-based, interdisciplinary approaches to disease prevention and control in a changing climate.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the environmental processes changing as a result of climate change and how they impact the prevalence, incidence, and distribution of vector-borne and zoonotic disease

• Explain modifications in vector, reservoir and pathogen lifecycles for the following diseases: Japanese encephalitis, Dengue fever, Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), alphavirus infections, Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV), resulting from effects of deforestation/bushfires/climate change bringing forest habitat in closer proximity to humans

• Explore what actions health professionals can take to identify and protect patients vulnerable to these diseases 

• Define steps the health sector can take to become prepared to address shifting geographic burdens of vector-borne and zoonotic disease, including increasing surveillance and early-warning systems and broader interdisciplinary coordination

Description: This session delves into the profound impact of climate change on the incidence and prevalence of stress disorders, depression, anxiety, suicide, domestic abuse, violence, aggression, and substance abuse as a consequence of fast and slow onset climate-related disasters. Through case studies and discussions, participants will gain insights into the complex interplay between environmental stressors and mental health outcomes. We will also examine the specific mental health challenges faced by "climate refugees" or individuals displaced from their homes or livelihoods due to climate-related environmental changes such as drought, sea-level rise, wildfires, or hurricanes, with a focus on recent examples from the Western Pacific. Through interactive discussions and case studies, we will explore the role of resilience-building interventions, community-based support systems, and mental health services in promoting psychological well-being in the face of environmental challenges.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss how natural disasters resulting from climate change impact the mental health of a population, specifically in regard to the incidence and prevalence of stress disorders, depression, domestic abuse, violence and aggression, and substance use

• Explore the impact on the mental health of “climate refugees” or those that have been displaced from their home or livelihood from climate-related environmental changes such as drought, flood, sea level rise, wildfires or hurricanes

• Describe what can be done to mitigate the population mental health consequences of climate change

• Explore the unequal burden of climate-related mental health disorders and discuss strategies for targeted interventions in vulnerable populations 

Description: In this session, we will explore how health systems can adapt and build resilience in the face of climate change. The session will explain the role of vulnerability and adaptation assessments in identifying risks at the individual, community, and system levels. We will also discuss strategies to safeguard critical healthcare infrastructure, ensure continuity in service delivery, and secure supply chains during extreme weather events. Participants will gain insights into enhancing the resilience of healthcare facilities and learn about the importance of comprehensive climate and health surveillance systems. Moreover, the session will emphasize the need for inter-agency collaboration in integrated surveillance to improve public health preparedness and response to climate-related health threats.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain how vulnerability and adaptation assessments are used to understand population health risks and healthcare system vulnerabilities

• Identify how the risks to critical healthcare infrastructure, delivery, and supply chains from extreme weather events and other climate impacts can be assessed and mitigated 

• Identify ways to improve the resilience of healthcare facilities in the face of increasingly severe and frequent climate-related weather events

• Explain the role of climate services, such as early warning systems and surveillance systems in safeguarding public health

• Explain the importance of inter-agency collaboration for integrated surveillance and its benefits for public health emergency preparedness and response

• Apply the concepts of sustainability to the healthcare sector and explore examples of how healthcare systems can perform it and how health professionals can partner with healthcare institutions, professional organizations, and advocacy groups to reduce health care sector's greenhouse gas footprint

Description: This session will highlight how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions not only address climate change but also improve public health outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditures. Through a series of case studies and evidence-based discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how climate policies can reduce the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, enhance mental health, and promote overall well-being. 

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the healthcare sector's contribution to the climate crisis and its role in climate change

• Identify and describe the health co-benefits associated with climate change mitigation strategies, including improved air quality and reduced incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases

• Explain/understand the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration for integrated health considerations into climate mitigation plans, including strategies for promoting co-benefits and monitoring health outcomes

Description: This session will explore the role of public health professionals and the wider health workforce in climate-health activism and engagement. The course will focus on different ways of communicating to a variety of audiences (community to organizational) to gain political commitment, policy support and social acceptance for climate action. Case studies will be used to highlight effective climate and health messages (including health co-benefits) and provide a range of opportunities for learners to get involved.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply effective communication skills with stakeholders about climate and health topics by defining the target audience, listening, and developing audience-appropriate messaging 

• Communicate and share information and responsibility effectively at different organizational levels to gain political commitment, policy support, and social acceptance for climate action 

• Explore the connection between climate change awareness and ecological anxiety, and use this understanding to empower individuals and communities to make climate-conscious changes

• Discuss climate and environmental justice concepts, including incorporating traditional knowledge and protecting vulnerable communities, and enhance ethical frameworks that address responsibilities to future generations and the environment 

• Demonstrate how to enhance theories of collective and transgenerational ethics, which emphasize society's responsibilities to future generations and the environment, by integrating perspectives that focus on individual well-being, present-day concerns, human-centered ethics, justice, and traditional knowledge in the context of climate and health