Mapúa School of Medicine: Leading the Way in Planetary Health Education
by Ezekiel Cruz; Jake Bryan Cortez, MD
Integrating Environmental Sustainability and Healthcare for a Healthier Future
The Philippines ranks as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. With each typhoon, flood, and drought, the country experiences displacement, infrastructure damage, and disease outbreaks. In such circumstances, healthcare systems are often overwhelmed, leading to physical and mental health crises.
Filipino doctors, policymakers, and communities must work together to break this cycle. By embracing planetary health, the nation can build more resilient healthcare systems, mitigate environmental risks, and safeguard the health of future generations.
What is Planetary Health and Why Should Doctors Be Involved?
Planetary health is a transdisciplinary field that examines how the health of people and the planet are interconnected. It recognizes that human well-being depends on the stability and resilience of natural systems. From rising temperatures and polluted air to biodiversity loss and extreme weather events, the health impacts of environmental change are clear.
The Three Planetary Health Crises
- Climate Change: Rising global temperatures lead to more frequent and severe natural disasters, malnutrition, and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
- Environmental Pollution: Air, water, soil, and plastic pollution contribute to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, particularly in urban areas.
- Biodiversity Loss: Deforestation and habitat destruction increase food insecurity and heighten the risk of pandemics as zoonotic diseases spread.
Despite contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines face disproportionate consequences. This reality underscores the need for climate justice — ensuring that those least responsible for environmental degradation are not left to bear its worst effects.
Physicians are uniquely positioned to address the health impacts of environmental change. Beyond diagnosing and treating diseases, they play a critical role in preventing illness and promoting resilience within communities.
Mapúa SOM’s Commitment to Planetary Health
At Mapúa School of Medicine (Mapúa SOM), the commitment to advancing healthcare goes beyond the traditional clinical setting. By explicitly incorporating planetary health into its curriculum, Mapúa is empowering future physicians to understand and address the complex interplay between human health and environmental systems.
Leveraging the university’s strong foundation in engineering, environmental sustainability, and interdisciplinary education, Mapúa SOM is positioning itself as a leader in medical education that responds to the urgent health challenges of our time.
At Mapúa SOM, students will learn how to:
- Advocate for sustainable healthcare systems.
- Address the social determinants of health that are exacerbated by environmental degradation.
- Partner with communities to design local solutions to global challenges.
As one of its pioneering planetary health initiatives, Mapúa SOM recently engaged select medical students in a service-learning experience during an international collaborative meeting. Experts from the Netherlands, Spain, Nepal, and the Philippines gathered at Mapúa to co-develop a proposal for an Erasmus+ project focused on capacity building in planetary health for higher education institutions.
During the three-day workshop, participants discussed priorities for planetary health education, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and community engagement. Key work packages were identified, including the development of bespoke planetary health courses, training-the-trainer programs, and knowledge management through digital infrastructure. Select Mapúa SOM students had the opportunity to observe the collaboration process, contributing their insights on the role of future healthcare professionals in addressing planetary health challenges.
This immersive experience offered students firsthand exposure to global problem-solving, strengthening their commitment to environmental advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration. It also highlighted Mapúa SOM’s dedication to integrating planetary health principles into both academic learning and practical engagement.
The Call for Planetary Health Action, Now!
The planetary crises are no longer distant threats — they are our present reality. Postponing action means compromising the health of millions. Physicians, educators, and policymakers must work together to address the root causes of environmental degradation and ensure equitable access to healthcare.
At Mapúa SOM, the next generation of doctors is rising to this challenge. They are not only healers but also advocates for planetary health, committed to building a future where both people and the planet thrive.
Be a healthcare and planetary changemaker. Join Mapúa SOM and become a leader in the fight for planetary health. Together, we can build a healthier future for all!
Video (c/o partners at UMC Utrecht): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Eqt1YeKsk
