Welcome, New Alliance Members!
November 2023
PHA has now grown to over 390 members with additions this month of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Coast Foundation, European Public Health Alliance, University of Cyberjaya, Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, Climate CATCH (Collaborative Action for Transformative Change in Health and Healthcare) Lab at The University of Melbourne, Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management, Lung Care Foundation, and MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (RLMI) plans to promote a global shift in personal nutrition to a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle. A WFPB lifestyle will promote personal health and well-being and Planetary Health by reducing personal consumption of animal products. They view this as a simple, but powerful solution to improve Planetary Health.
COAST Foundation is deeply committed to advancing Planetary Health by recognizing the intricate link between environmental health, human well-being, and climate resilience. Their initiatives in promoting sustainable agriculture, community-led climate resilience, and health access reflect their dedication to the principles of planetary health. They actively seek collaboration with Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) community to share and gain knowledge, foster joint initiatives, amplify advocacy for climate justice, build capacity, and expand their network. By working hand in hand with PHA members, they aim to create a healthier planet and improve the lives of coastal communities while contributing to the global Planetary Health landscape
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is an international not-for-profit association established in Belgium. Their mission is to advocate for the protection and improvement of public health in Europe, both via health policies and across all other relevant policy areas that have an impact on health. EPHA serves as a change agent by facilitating the participation of their diverse member organisations, that include civil society organizations, groups of health professionals and public health actors. Through a multi-sectoral approach, they aim to collaborate with PHA to respond to cross-border health threats such as climate change, air pollution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As such, this includes strongly advocating for Planetary Health, whilst upholding key PHA values such as science-driven, justice and equity.
University of Cyberjaya is committed to advancing Planetary Health through their work. They integrate Planetary Health principles into their programs, research, and advocacy initiatives. They aim to collaborate closely with the Planetary Health community by actively participating in PHA’s network, engaging in knowledge sharing, seeking collaborative opportunities, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of both human and environmental systems. Together with the Planetary Health Alliance and fellow members, they aspire to foster a healthier planet for current and future generations, recognizing the interdependence of human health and the health of the planet.
Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress acknowledges that the climate crisis is adversely affecting population mental health. The impacts of the climate crisis on mental health are related to collective problems that are experienced unequally, such as insufficient political will and harmful policies, increased disaster exposure, poverty, violence, the erosion of important places and landscapes, and harms to human physical health and the health of ecosystems, along with others.
Working with populations most impacted by the climate crisis, research is needed to better understand and assess mental health in the context of the climate crisis and to identify and test appropriate intervention strategies.
They aim to collaborate to:
1. Provide conceptual clarity to the varied mental health responses to climate change,
2. Develop methods of assessing mental health in the context of climate change,
3. Develop appropriate intervention strategies with communities most impacted by climate change.
Climate CATCH (Collaborative Action for Transformative Change in Health and Healthcare) Lab, The University of Melbourne collaborates with the Planetary Health Alliance via engagement with and contribution to the mission and activities of the Oceania Hub. The Climate CATCH Lab contributes to Planetary Health goals in the area of climate change and health research, education and engagement with the health sector partners.
Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management (ESHPM) is a leader in education and research in the field of health policy and management in the Netherlands and far beyond. ESHPM is currently including Planetary Health as a core value, by recently appointing a theme chair in this field (first in Europe) and as a relevant discipline to be included in its masters’ education and research activities, in line with the mission of implementing and supporting environmental sustainability of the Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam.
Lung Care Foundation goals in joining PHA are to invest in capacity building or people representing the medical profession, academia, media, youth, civil society, and multiple small and medium-level organizations representing the grassroots. They also want to conduct research and disseminate the findings for contribution towards strategy and policy formulation. Finally, they strive to gain and share international experience and expertise with current and prospective stakeholders in India.
MGH Institute of Health Professions, as a health professions graduate school, have an overall vision looks to improve health outcomes and equity through innovative education and research. Across this work, they aim to incorporate Planetary Health in all aspects of their campus experience through practices and policies focused on environmental sustainability and integration of climate change within the curriculum. They look to collaborate with the PHA to spread awareness of Planetary Health and expand the resources available for increasing education on Planetary Health to enable healthcare professions to help address the health consequences of climate change.
American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) intends to collaborate with the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) towards our mutual goals of educating and promoting planetary alongside human health for all persons. As members, they plan to share resources, support programming efforts, and develop new programs and initiatives. ACLM will continue to advance education to membership at the intersection of human health, health equity, and Planetary Health. This aligns with the foundation of ACLM’s pillars, including a plant-rich diet alongside other healthy lifestyle habits to protect and improve health, cut down greenhouse gas emissions, and allow for a greener, cleaner environment. They look forward to amplifying this lifesaving message alongside PHA to address the health of all people and the planet.
