Exploring the Climate-Health Nexus: My Journey at COP28 with WFPHA

I recently had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the global conversations surrounding climate and health at COP28.

I’m deeply passionate about global environmental health and proudly serve as the co-chair of the Environmental Health Working Group at the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). Our focus revolves around tackling critical issues such as climate change, air pollution, and disaster response.

COP28 marked a significant milestone for WFPHA, symbolizing our debut on the global climate stage. As our organization gained UNFCCC status in 2023, this conference held immense importance for us.

Throughout COP28, we orchestrated impactful events, engaged with influential figures, and collaborated on policy statements to underscore the pivotal role of public health in climate action.

The sessions I attended were truly eye-opening, covering diverse topics like climate-related migration, mental health impacts, health sector adaptation planning, building climate-resilient food systems, establishing early warning systems, climate adaptation in river delta environments, clean cooking solutions, climate and health finance, climate justice and indigenous rights in the context of the renewable energy transition.

Connecting with organizations like the Global Climate and Health Alliance was inspiring, opening doors to potential future collaborations.

This experience has solidified my belief in the crucial integration of climate and health perspectives. I am genuinely excited about the collective efforts propelling us toward a healthier and more sustainable future.

Stay tuned for updates on the WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group.

Urgent Appeal: WFPHA Addresses WHO Executive Board on Health Conditions in Occupied Palestinian Territory

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) congratulates the initiative of the World Health Organization Executive Board to hold a Special Session on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory. As an entity that represents 130 national associations and more than 5 million health practitioners around the globe, the WFPHA joins with UN and WHO leaders’ voices expresses deep concerns about the situation, echoing the voices of UN and WHO leaders.

Urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, the WFPHA emphasizes the need for a peace process to safeguard the well-being of health professionals and the civilian population in the region.

Bridging the Gap: Public Health at the Forefront of Climate Action

On the inaugural Health Day at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Environmental Health Working Group advocates for a renewed focus on the critical nexus between climate change and global health at the #COP28UAE Health Pavilion.

The urgency to address climate change resonates louder than ever. The WFPHA underscores the significance of acknowledging and mitigating the intricate links between climate change and the health and wellbeing of communities across the globe. This advocacy finds its foundation within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement – the principal global forums orchestrating the response to climate change.

At the heart of these international efforts, the WFPHA, through its Environmental Health Working Group, actively contributes to shaping discussions and policies that prioritize public health amidst the escalating threats posed by the climate crisis.

It is imperative to recognize the inseparable nature of the climate crisis and public health. From rising temperatures to unprecedented weather events, the WFPHA stresses the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges, placing public health at the forefront of the global agenda.

The climate crisis is not solely an environmental concern; it is fundamentally a health crisis. With this understanding, the WFPHA calls for immediate and concerted actions to safeguard the health and wellbeing of communities worldwide.

As we navigate the complexities of the climate crisis, the WFPHA urges leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to champion public health in climate action initiatives. The first Health Day at COP28 serves as a poignant reminder that the health of our planet and the health of its inhabitants are intricately interconnected.

Now is the time for bold commitments and transformative actions. The WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group stands steadfast in its commitment to advancing the discourse on climate change and health. Together, let us forge a path toward a sustainable future where health takes precedence in the global climate narrative.

Hannah Marcus, Co-Chair of the WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group, is set to address two crucial events at COP28.

On December 5, 2023, from 15:00 to 16:30, she will speak at ‘Accelerating a Just Transition for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet.’ Join us at Side Event Room 4, Zone B6, Building 83.

The following day, December 6, don’t miss her insights at ‘Breathing for a Better Tomorrow: Engaging Health Professionals and Civil Society for Clean Air and Healthy Climate,’ taking place from 3:15 to 4:30 pm GST at the WHO Pavilion.

World Hearing Forum: Advocating for a Sound Public Health Approach 

The World Hearing Forum convened on November 27-28 in Geneva, uniting global stakeholders committed to advancing ear and hearing care. As representatives of the World Federation of Public Health Associations Public Engagement Taskforce (WFPHA PET), we were honored to participate in this vital initiative.

The Global Impact of Hearing Impairment:

Hearing impairment affects approximately one in five individuals worldwide, constituting a significant public health challenge often underestimated. While the types of hearing impairment and treatments vary across age groups and causes, the issue persists throughout the lifespan. Unfortunately, routine screening remains inconsistent, primarily focusing on infants and young children in limited regions. Innovative programs, such as streamlined hearing aids and accessible screening methods administered by trained health workers, are emerging to address these gaps.

Forum Highlights:

Day One: Voices of Those with Hearing Loss:

• The initial day spotlighted the experiences of individuals with hearing loss, their families, and friends.
• Key issues included the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, misconceptions about sign language, and challenges in accessing screening and related services.

Day Two: Perspectives of Service Providers:

• The second day delved into the experiences of service providers, with a focus on the public health aspects of hearing care.
• Elisabeth Tshiama Mukendi, representing WFPHA, highlighted the connection between public health competencies and healthy hearing.

Audience Participation and Workshops:

Both days featured workshops engaging participants in identifying causes of hearing loss and proposing remedial actions. Attendees collaboratively discussed organizations and individuals capable of championing improved services.

Addressing the Perception Gap:

Hearing impairment often faces dismissal, attributed to factors such as aging or occupational noise exposure. However, beyond the physical hazards, it contributes to associated health problems, hindering complete understanding of instructions and withdrawal from situations requiring optimal hearing.

Call to Action:

A comprehensive awareness campaign is imperative, targeting communities, health providers, practitioners, and policymakers to advocate for screening at all ages. This inclusive approach encompasses birth, childhood, noisy work environments, regular attendees of loud venues, and older individuals.

Public Health Competencies for Hearing Loss:

The forum emphasized the need for:

• Comprehensive surveillance programs.
• Maintenance of remedial programs, including during emergencies.
• Access to appropriate equipment and medical devices.
• Vaccination against infections linked to hearing loss.

In conclusion, hearing loss demands a collective commitment to public health, urging us to recognize its pervasive impact and work collaboratively toward a world where healthy hearing is a shared priority.

Strengthening Global Public Health Resilience: WHO Roadmap & Action Plan for the Public Health and Emergency Workforce

The recent challenges posed by many emergencies, from natural and man-made disasters to the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore the critical importance of a robust and resilient public health workforce. In response to the pressing need for a coordinated and skilled workforce, the World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap and action plan for training and securing the Public Health and Emergency Workforce. This initiative revisits the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs),  addresses the structure of the global public health workforce, and emphasizes the need for an appropriately trained and resilient public health workforce in addressing public health needs, those considered core public health activities a critical to the health of everyone but less obvious and visible.

Conceptualization of the Roadmap:

The Roadmap’s genesis can be traced back to the G20 Italy Declaration in October 2021, followed by an expert consultation in January 2022. The Roadmap and Action Plan were officially published in May 2022, with the establishment of the Roadmap Taskforce, coinciding with other global initiatives and meetings such as the G7 Berlin Pact for Readiness, and the launch of the Pandemic Fund in November 2022. Noteworthy events in 2023 include the G7 Japan Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the 3rd Roadmap Taskforce Steering Committee Meeting in July.

Vision & Purpose:

The Roadmap vision is to strengthen the public health workforce in every country, and includes three Action Areas (AAs):

AA1: Operationalizing the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs) – an integrated and comprehensive approach to public health

• Identifying and defining the EPHFs & services and their enablers
• Updating and expanding the EPHFs, and adding subfunctions
• This strategic review was achieved through a worldwide expert consultation process.

AA2: Competency and outcomes framework towards the delivery of the Essential Public Health Functions

• Identifying the tasks the public health workforce performs, both regularly as all or part of usual work, and during emergencies
• Mapping the academic and practical training the workforce needs to accomplish these tasks
• Developing a framework for competency-based education.

There are two major sections about competence, personal and practical:

1. Competencies for individual public health and emergency workers towards the EPHFs; and
2. Practice activities towards Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs)

This was achieved through a major systematic literature review and content analysis mapping process, refined through an expert review of international experts. Future work involves strengthening institutional processes for updating curricula to ensure appropriate workforce capacities.

AA3: Technical guidance for mapping and measurement of occupations that contribute to the delivery of the essential public health functions including emergency preparedness and response

• Mapping & Measurement of Occupations by developing a standardized approach for occupation mapping.
• Discussions about the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) revisions.

Again, this was achieved through an international consultation process. The mapping tools and processes have been piloted in seven countries.

Way Forward:

The roadmap sets clearly defined targets for the five-year period from 2022 to 2027, emphasizing a systematic and progressive approach to achieving its goals.

WHO is seeking countries to use at least one of these tools, hoping to enroll 100 before July 2024. The process for becoming involved is not complex and can be found on the Roadmap website (address below).

Reflection & Summary:

In conclusion, the Roadmap responds to the pressing need for a skilled public health workforce, highlighted by the recent pandemic and other recent emergencies.

By paving the way for competent personnel adapted to individual contexts, it aims to create resilient health systems and foster public trust. For those interested in further resources the relevant documents are available in draft form, the final versions to be available early in 2024.