Strenghtening public health through transdisciplinary Planetary Health education

Background

Planetary Health (PH) emphasies the interdependence of human life to Earth’s natural systems, and threat or disruptive anthropogenic actions. South and Southeast Asia is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world, facing recurrent disasters that threatens population health and weaken health systems. Strenghtening preparedness requires a workforce able to co-design public health solutions that integrate environmental, social, and health dimensions with relevant stakeholders.

Methods

A scoping review of under- and postgraduate programmes was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines to identify competencies, content, and pedagogical approaches relevant to PH workforce development. Additionally, a co-creation workshop with 28 representatives from academia, government and NGOs in Indonesia and Bangladesh identified gaps in existing PH education frameworks, local learning needs, and priority areas for capacity strenghtening.

Results

The review included 73 articles, mostly from high-income countries and nearly half focused on health professionals. Frameworks identified included One Health, the SDGs, and the Planetary Health Education Framework. 45% of studies described competencies such as systems thinking, collaboration, and understanding cimate- and pollution-related health impacts. Workshop participants prioritised knowledge in policy, education and community action, and highlighted systemic critical thinking and ethical leadership as key competencies.

Conclusions

Mapping existing resources and pedagogical approached is a necessary step towards building a workforce equipped to address the intersecting environmental, social, and health challenges. However, the paper highlighted the critical gap wherein PH education is largely shaped by high income countries perspectives. The CATA-Earth and ChangePH 3Cs approach (Co-Design, Co-Develop, and Co-Deliver) reinforces the identified competencies necessary for a climate-resilient workforce.

Key messages

• Planetary Health education is fundamental to improve public health resilience to climate- and pollution related health impacts.

• Strenghtening public health workforce is the first step to more climate-resilient health systems.