Climate Change and Public Health

GENERAL INFORMATION

Climate change (CC) is a major concern for Public Health and is considered the most important environmental threat of the 21st century. CC are responsible for the onset or worsening of several risk factors for human health. Thus, the promotion of activities that allow the early identification of risk factors, their assessment, and the adoption of measures to mitigate the impacts on the health of the population and adapt the response and training of health services is fundamental. There is a need to strengthen the links between environmental (including climate) and health policies. In this context, it is also essential to develop research on the interactions between CC and health that allows for a more accurate risk assessment, appropriate risk communication and, also, the identification of the most appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures. THE ENSP, as a reference institution in public health education and research, has a relevant role in this matter and the Environmental Health area can contribute effectively to the teaching of the course that is now proposed and also act as a promoter of research work on the interactions between CC and human health.

The syllabus of the Climate Change and Public Health course was defined on the basis of the objectives and competencies defined by ASPHER (The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region) explained in the document "Climate and Health Competencies for Public Health Professionals in Europe".

TARGET Audience

The Climate Change and Public Health Course is intended for all those interested in improving their knowledge in this field, in particular for health and environment professionals.

COORDINATION

Susana Viegas

SECRETARIAT

Ana Sofia Silva

anasofia.silva@ensp.unl.pt