In today’s world, where environmental crises are increasingly affecting every aspect of our lives, it's become clear that the health of our planet is deeply intertwined with human health. As healthcare professionals, we are often at the forefront of dealing with the consequences of these environmental changes, whether it’s treating heat-related illnesses, managing respiratory diseases exacerbated by air pollution, or addressing the spread of vector-borne diseases due to shifting climates.

Yet, despite the obvious connections, planetary health remains a relatively neglected area in most health professions curricula. This gap in education means that many future healthcare providers might not fully grasp the environmental underpinnings of the health issues they encounter or feel equipped to contribute to solutions.

This session comes at a critical time. By integrating planetary health into the curriculum, we’re not just adding another topic to the syllabus; we’re fundamentally rethinking how we prepare students for the realities of modern healthcare. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a valuable framework for this, particularly goals like Good Health and Well-being, Climate Action, and Life on Land. These goals remind us that health is not just an individual issue but a collective one, deeply connected to the world around us.

The goal of this session is to equip educators with practical strategies to weave these concepts into their curriculum. By doing so, we can help students see the bigger picture—that the health of our patients is, in many ways, a reflection of the health of our planet. This understanding is crucial if we are to train healthcare professionals who are not only skilled clinicians but also advocates for a healthier, more sustainable world.

Agenda & Methods

1. Opening Horizons: The Need for Planetary Health Education (15 minutes)
   • Format: Interactive presentation
   • Participants will be introduced to the concept of planetary health and its relevance to healthcare. The session will begin with an overview of the key environmental factors affecting health and their connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. Connecting the Dots: Strategies for Integrating Planetary Health (25 minutes)
   • Format: Interactive Presentation & Group discussion
   • Participants will explore strategies for integrating planetary health concepts into their curricula. They will brainstorm ways to align these strategies with the SDGs and create actionable plans to implement in their institutions. Each group will share their ideas with the larger group for feedback and refinement.
3. Navigating Challenges and Meeting Students’ Expectations (15 minutes)
   • Format: Presentation and interactive discussion
   • This segment will focus on understanding the challenges students face when engaging with planetary health concepts and their expectations from the curriculum.
4. Innovative Plans & Insights (20 minutes)
   • Format: Collaborative discussion and brainstorming
   • Participants will brainstorm and explore new plans for integrating planetary health into their curricula. Discussion will focus on incorporating innovative strategies such as electives, workshops, game-based learning, field-based education, and creative approaches like art and storytelling.
5. Reflecting on the Future: Preparing Healthcare Professionals for Planetary Health (15 minutes)
   • Format: Reflective discussion and Q&A
   • Participants will explore how these educational strategies can be applied to foster a new generation of healthcare providers who are equipped to promote sustainability and global health. The session will end with an open Q&A to address any remaining questions or concerns.