Practical Climate Action for Caribbean Health Professionals: A How-To Series

VIDEO RECORDING

Featuring: 

• Yvonne Lewis, Coordinator M. Ed Health Promotion, School of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Education, UWI, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago

• Esquire Henry, National and CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, United Nations Youth Advisory Group for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
• Moderated by: C. James Hospedales, MD, Founder/ Managing Director, EarthMedic/EarthNurse

Description: As the health impacts of climate change unfold, there are multiple ways to get involved–at your health facility, in your communities, or in your government. Learn from climate advocates working in each of these spaces how powerful your voice can be. You’ll also learn where to go to build your skills and find support for your climate action journey.

In this session, participants will learn effective strategies for engaging with their communities to promote climate action. The session will explore the work of climate action community groups and collaborative initiatives to better understand the role of advocacy and health equity in creating impactful change. Attendees will learn methods for connecting with their audience, considering their unique spheres of influence to tailor their approach and leverage their health professional voice. The session will also guide participants in identifying their network and potential partners, as well as developing a comprehensive plan of action to maximize community engagement and drive sustainable climate solutions.

VIDEO RECORDING

Featuring: 

• Shalini H. Shah, DO - Assistant Director, Pediatric Environmental Health Center and Region I Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) at Boston Children’s Hospital

• Enrique Falceto De Barros, MD - Family doctor, Professor, Universidade Feevale, Member, Brazilian Planetary Health Group at Instituto de Estudos Avançados at the Universidade de São Paulo/ Brazil

• Ben Fulgencio-Turner - Director, Climate for Health, ecoAmerica

• Moderated by: Paula Henry, MBBS, MPH, Family Physician and Public Health Practitioner, EarthMedic & EarthNurse

Description: Health professionals are already observing the negative impacts of climate change on the health of their patients and communities. As trusted advisors, health professionals have a unique opportunity to raise awareness about climate change as a health issue, provide personalized guidance, and share solutions to protect patient health. Broader research on clinician-patient communication indicates that such counseling can significantly enhance health outcomes. 

This webinar will explore how to effectively integrate climate-related counseling into busy  clinical practice, including during healthcare screenings, history taking, long-term condition management, and discharge and aftercare planning. Communication technique, strategies and case examples about climate change will be tailored to the sociocultural context of the Caribbean region. Join us to learn how to listen to your patients, address their climate-related health concerns, and contribute to their overall well-being through informed and compassionate communication.

VIDEO RECORDING

Featuring: 

• Faine Richards, United Nations, Communications Strategist and Development Storyteller, Trinidad and Tobago

• Dizzanne Billy, Climate Communicator, Writer, Storyteller, Advocate, Trinidad and Tobago

• Ashley Lashley, Founder of The Ashley Lashley Foundation, Barbados

• Moderator by: Wesley Gibbings, Journalist/Newspaper Columnist and Media Trainer, Trinidad and Tobago

Description: 

Communication and translation of science has an essential role to play in provoking a response to climate change and motivating people to get involved to take action. Scientific voices in the Caribbean and beyond struggle to highlight climate change as a public health threat to a general audience. Lack of attention on the topic and inefficient messaging prevent the media from broadcasting the urgent need for a collective response to the climate emergency.

This session aims to give an insight about the key role of the media and communications in addressing themes relating to climate change and transmitting information to the public in order to take action. Communication experts will inform how to best share information about climate change in an engaging and motivating way to a diverse audience. Additionally, participants will learn how to effectively message for change through various communication channels and media. There’s hope and health professionals are our most trusted messengers!

VIDEO RECORDING

Featuring: 

• Nicole Dawkins-Wright, MD, MPH, Director, Emergency, Disaster Management & Special Services, Ministry of Health & Wellness, Jamaica

• Lawrence Jaisingh, Director, Health Policy, Research and Planning, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago

• Zachary A. R. Phillips, LL.M, Crown Counsel, Attorney General’s Chambers, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda

• Moderated by: Nicole Foster, LLM, LLB, Professor of Law, University of West Indes

​​​​​Description: While many professionals are interested in contributing to health policy, relatively few have the training to leverage their clinical experience, research or scientific knowledge for policy impact. The climate realities in the Caribbean necessitate the prioritisation of climate action to further enhance the development of climate-resilient health systems and guide development at local, national, and regional levels. Developing a policy brief is one approach that health professionals may use to draw attention to important evidence and rationale to strengthen related policies. 

This webinar will emphasize the critical role of well-crafted policy briefs in shaping legal and policy decisions related to climate change and health. Expert speakers, including lawyers, policy advisors, and health policymakers, will provide valuable insights into creating compelling and effective policy briefs. They will discuss essential writing components, the contexts in which policy briefs are needed, and who can submit them. Caribbean policy issues and gaps will also be highlighted to draw participants' attention to the necessary evidence base for crafting impactful policy briefs. Participants will gain essential skills to develop persuasive policy briefs that underscore the urgent need for climate action within the healthcare sector in the Caribbean region and beyond. Join us!

VIDEO RECORDING

Featuring: 

• Dahlia R. Plunkett, Environmental Health Specialist (Surveillance), Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica
• Laura-Lee Boodram PhD, MSc, Head of the Caribbean Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (CR-FELTP), Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)

• Roché Mahon, PhD, Social Scientist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH)

• Paula Henry, MBBS, MPH, Family Physician and Public Health Practitioner, EarthMedic/EarthNurse

• Moderated by: Saria Hassan, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Emory University

Description: Health professionals are at the forefront of addressing the health impacts of climate change, from managing heat-related illnesses and responding to extreme weather events to preparing for the spread of vector-borne diseases. However, their ability to respond effectively often hinges on access to robust and friendly data—a critical yet challenging resource. Sharing at national level between different parts of the health system can be a challenge. Region-specific data linking climate trends to health outcomes is frequently scarce, fragmented across sectors or institutions, and difficult to analyze comprehensively. Many health professionals also lack the training to interpret climate data or integrate it into health planning effectively, while communicating these insights to policymakers and the public remains a daunting task.

This webinar highlights the vital role of sharing data in driving climate action for health. We will hear from national, regional and international institutions on how to address common barriers and which tools are available to empower health professionals to harness data as a powerful driver of adaptation, resilience, and improved health outcomes in the face of climate change.Additionally, we will explore strategies for effectively channeling available data to support Caribbean health professionals in their efforts to address climate-related health challenges. Join us!

Featuring: Coming soon!

Description: 

The intersection of faith, climate change, and public health offers a profound opportunity to address the climate crisis through an equitable, spiritual, and scientific lens. This webinar will delve into the unique role of faith communities and health professionals in promoting climate resilience and supporting vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by climate-related impacts. Faith leaders and health professionals share a commitment to serving others and safeguarding lives, including the planet. By integrating scientific knowledge with moral imperatives, they can advocate for climate action and equip communities to navigate health challenges. Leveraging the reach and influence of faith communities—who educate millions—health professionals can promote sustainable practices, support mental health during disasters, and empower communities to prepare for and recover from climate crises, inspiring collective responsibility for a healthier, more sustainable future.

This webinar seeks to explore how health professionals can engage with faith leaders and institutions, providing evidence-based knowledge to support climate education and resilience-building. It will also explore the moral and spiritual dimensions of the climate crisis, underscoring the shared responsibility to protect all of "creation" and promote justice for the most vulnerable.