Transdisciplinary education for planetary health

TL;DR

This paper argues for a new approach to health education that prepares professionals to address current planetary crises like climate change and biodiversity loss.

Contribution

The paper introduces the concept of transdisciplinary education and systems thinking in health professional training to address planetary health crises.

Findings

Planetary health crises are current threats impacting human health and global health progress.

Health professionals need education on planetary health threats and mitigation strategies.

Curriculum should shift from interprofessional to transdisciplinary education for effective climate adaptation.

Abstract

The level of ecosystem integrity that is essential for life on the planet is threatened, and the changes we are witnessing indicate that we are close to irreversible tipping points. Planetary crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are impacting human health and threatening previous gains in global health. These are not future risks; they are current events, and we must prepare health professionals to provide competent care in a system that is not prepared for a climate-changed world. Health professionals must be educated about the nature of these threats, the cause of the crises, methods to identify and prevent new and emerging health impacts, and strategies to advocate for mitigation even while ensuring that patients, families, and communities are prepared to adapt to the changes. This perspective piece calls on health profession educators to move curriculum content beyond climate change to the full scope of planetary health and to pivot from interprofessional education toward transdisciplinary education and systems thinking.

Figures