Facing climate change challenges: the Italian Public Health Residents response

Abstract

Background Climate change (CC) is one of the most important global issues, and exerts a strong impact on public health (PH). Correlation between CC and PH is a matter of concern in the whole scientific community and requires an interdisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, the need to take action on CC sometimes contrasts with national and local policies, involved professionals’ training and citizens’ education. In order to face these challenges, the Italian network of public health residents “Consulta Specializzandi” of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SItI) decided to create a specific working group. Objectives Main objectives are education of PH residents and practitioners on CC, argument disclosure among the SItI and creation of interdisciplinary networks to promote and extend group activities. Secondary objective is development of a study to identify the gap between scientific evidence, recommendations and guidelines, and the European, national and local policies, with the aim of promoting bottom-up researches and good practices in CC management. Results The group was created in January 2019; activities started in March. Firstly we defined priorities and work mode. Then we analyzed scientific evidence and promoted self-training on the link between environment and CC and on the impact of CC on individual and public health. Finally, through attendance at workshops and scientific events, we began to train other PH residents and practitioners and started to create networks with other scientific societies, research centers and foreign academies, in order to promote international research, advocacy and disclosure between different institutions regarding the relationship between CC and PH. Conclusions The group has already partially achieved its main objectives, especially increasing awareness and training in CC and related issues. Further activities will permit to strength interdisciplinary networks and to move to secondary objectives. Key messages CC severely impacts society. Yet there is no widespread feeling of urgency to act towards its causes and consequences. A change in mindset is mandatory, from individual citizens to decision makers. PH residents and practitioners must be the main actors in training and education, advocacy, disclosure and network creation in CC research and management.