INTRODUCTION:
Climate change is the greatest public health threat and equity challenge of the 21st century, disrupting progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet many practitioners lack accessible, foundational training on the core pathways linking climate change and health. This 60-minute session aims to build essential literacy in climate-health science, impacts, and public health actions. Health professionals play a role in ensuring that the health sector is climate resilient.

METHODS:
The session will employ a blended pedagogical approach combining: Evidence-based framing using current scientific assessments to outline the major exposure pathways, including extreme heat, air pollution, changing disease vectors, food and water insecurity, mental health impacts, and climate-related displacement. Contextual and equity-focused analysis to highlight disproportionate risks faced by low-income communities, Indigenous peoples, children, older adults, and workers in climate-exposed sectors. Case-based learning, drawing on global examples—from heat action plans and air-quality interventions to community-led resilience initiatives—to illustrate practical mitigation and adaptation strategies. Interactive engagement, including a short framing exercise enabling participants to articulate climate-health risks and solutions in their own contexts.

RESULTS:
Participants will gain: A clear understanding of the fundamental scientific links between climate change, fossil-fuel pollution, and health. Improved ability to identify and explain key health impacts across the life course. Insights from real-world public health responses demonstrating effective policy, practice, and community action. Strengthened confidence in communicating climate and health issues to policymakers, peers, and the public. Practical entry points for integrating climate considerations into existing public health programs and institutional strategies.

CONCLUSIONS:
Equipping public health professionals with foundational climate-health knowledge is essential to protecting health in a rapidly warming world. By combining evidence, equity, and practical tools, this session aims to catalyze stronger public health engagement, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and support a global shift toward healthier, more resilient, and fossil-free communities.