A new European initiative aims to integrate climate change education into medical curricula, focusing on the impact of climate on health and healthcare sustainability.
The European Network on Climate and Health Education (ENCHE), led by the University of Glasgow, brings together 25 universities from 12 countries, including Poland’s Medical University of Warsaw. This collaboration seeks to prepare medical students to address climate-related health challenges such as the spread of vector-borne diseases and the exacerbation of chronic conditions due to rising temperatures and pollution. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and global health organizations, the network aims to equip future doctors with the skills to prevent, identify, and treat climate-related illnesses.
Poland’s involvement underscores its commitment to tackling the health effects of climate change, an issue of growing concern in Central and Eastern Europe. The Medical University of Warsaw will contribute to developing region-specific teaching resources to address local health challenges, including air pollution and shifting disease patterns. Poland’s inclusion highlights the need for diverse perspectives in addressing climate-induced health crises across different geographies. By participating in ENCHE, Poland joins a wider effort to integrate sustainable healthcare practices into medical training, reflecting the global interconnection between health and environmental stewardship.
The initiative recognizes the health sector’s dual role as both a contributor to and a victim of climate change, with healthcare accounting for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Medical educators aim to seamlessly embed climate-health topics into existing curricula, ensuring students understand how climate issues affect patient care. Polish and other European universities will benefit from shared expertise within ENCHE to develop innovative teaching strategies. This initiative reflects an urgent call for action to create climate-resilient healthcare systems, preparing future professionals to address the immediate and long-term health impacts of a changing planet.
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