Why is Health Underrepresented in International Forums on Chemical Risk Management? Increasing Health Professionals' Role in Chemical Risk Prevention
1
Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Clinical Investigation Group, Institute for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
3
Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4
groundWork, Friends of the Earth South Africa, Durban, South Africa
5
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
6
Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Directorate, United Nations Environment Programmes, Geneva, Switzerland
7
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, Illinois, United States
8
EnvMed Network, European Network for Environmental Medicine, Berlin, Germany
9
HEJSupport - Health and Environment Justice Support, Munich, Germany
10
Independent Consultant, Olympia, Washington, United States
11
The Caribbean Poison Information Network, University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC) was adopted. The multisectoral, multistakeholder approach of this framework is intended to enhance engagement among the health, environment, agriculture, and labour sectors, along with the private sector, non-governmental and governmental organisations, and academia, to protect the planet and human health. While the will is there, the reality is that the health sector is severely underrepresented during negotiations, and health professionals are unaware of the GFC. However, health effects linked to chemical exposures such as cancers, developmental and neurological effects, allergies, diseases (e.g., Parkinson's) and infertility continue to rise.
METHODS:
This interactive session will engage participants in practical activities to implement the GFC at the local level. This will be done through: 5-minute global framing presentation (Vision of GFC) 10-minute icebreaker mapping chemical issues in each country - Chemicals Without Borders (shared global problem) 15-minute International Case Carousel (prevention and protection) 15-minute Safety Data Sheet and chemical information in medical products/devices challenge (transparency) 10-minute Patient-to-policy mapping (implementation) 5-minute participants' global commitments and way forward (accountability)
RESULTS:
Participants will be invited to co-author a post-conference paper on the outcomes of the exercises and to increase knowledge of the topic beyond those who were at the conference. Participants will be provided with handouts, which will also be circulated on social media and health professional networks.
CONCLUSIONS:
The GFC cannot succeed without the support of health professionals. It is only through the active participation of Ministries of Health and health professionals that the effective implementation of strategies nationally and internationally will reduce and prevent chemical risks.
In 2023, the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC) was adopted. The multisectoral, multistakeholder approach of this framework is intended to enhance engagement among the health, environment, agriculture, and labour sectors, along with the private sector, non-governmental and governmental organisations, and academia, to protect the planet and human health. While the will is there, the reality is that the health sector is severely underrepresented during negotiations, and health professionals are unaware of the GFC. However, health effects linked to chemical exposures such as cancers, developmental and neurological effects, allergies, diseases (e.g., Parkinson's) and infertility continue to rise.
METHODS:
This interactive session will engage participants in practical activities to implement the GFC at the local level. This will be done through: 5-minute global framing presentation (Vision of GFC) 10-minute icebreaker mapping chemical issues in each country - Chemicals Without Borders (shared global problem) 15-minute International Case Carousel (prevention and protection) 15-minute Safety Data Sheet and chemical information in medical products/devices challenge (transparency) 10-minute Patient-to-policy mapping (implementation) 5-minute participants' global commitments and way forward (accountability)
RESULTS:
Participants will be invited to co-author a post-conference paper on the outcomes of the exercises and to increase knowledge of the topic beyond those who were at the conference. Participants will be provided with handouts, which will also be circulated on social media and health professional networks.
CONCLUSIONS:
The GFC cannot succeed without the support of health professionals. It is only through the active participation of Ministries of Health and health professionals that the effective implementation of strategies nationally and internationally will reduce and prevent chemical risks.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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