EL NIÑO IN THE AMERICAS: PROTECTING HEALTH AND INCREASING RESILIENCE - A SHORT COURSE
EL NIÑO IN THE AMERICAS
EL NIÑO IN THE AMERICAS: PROTECTING HEALTH AND INCREASING RESILIENCE - A SHORT COURSE
Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays running October 10 - 26, 2023, 11h00 a 12h30 (Uruguay) 10:00 - 11:30AM EST
REGISTRATION
https://columbiacuimc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-YFUCPCvSVWOtJS62P0bwQ
Description:
Moderate El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific, setting the stage for a surge in temperatures and disruptive weather and climate patterns across the Americas. With these conditions, health impacts are anticipated to result from changes in vector borne and zoonotic diseases, food and water insecurity and instability, exposure to extreme heat and air pollution and an increased risk for meteorological extreme events. Health systems are on the frontlines, and must respond in a timely and proactive fashion to protect human health.
The goal of this course is to equip federal, regional and local health systems planners, emergency planners and responders, public health officials, healthcare practitioners, the meteorological sector and others with the knowledge and tools needed to prepare for local and regional health-related impacts. This includes what can be anticipated in terms of meteorological changes and associated health impacts, best practices for management and response, and introduction to available decision making and risk management tools.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Describe the anticipated meteorological impacts of ENSO in their region, and likely resulting health impacts.
Explain how ENSO conditions may impact health through extreme temperatures, changes in vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, impacts on food and water security, poor air quality, and meteorological extreme events including flooding, landslides, drought and hurricanes.
Develop an initial plan for local/regional/national response using available risk management and decision making tools and recommendations from authoritative health partners.
Course Structure:
Following an initial introductory webinar, the course will consist of six bi-weekly (Tuesday and Thursday) live-virtual 75-minute sessions, offered in English and Spanish through live interpretation. Each session will consist of 40 minutes of “theory/foundation” followed by a case study. There will be a live question and answer which will be monitored by the program team and questions will be consolidated and addressed to expert lecturers. Resources such as frameworks and suggested readings will be provided to all course participants following each session. Video recordings will be available following each session for asynchronous view.
Certificate:
Participants who attend > 70% of the live Zoom sessions will be awarded a Certificate of participation from GCCHE, IAI, WMO and PAHO. Attendance will be automatically recorded upon meeting entry.
Sessions:
- Introduction Webinar: October 5, 2023
- Session 1: Drought, Food Production and Nutrition
- Session 2: Heat Extremes
- Session 3: Water Quality and Security
- Session 4: Disasters and Disaster Risk Reduction
- Session 5: Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases
- Session 6: Air Quality