Symposium on the Current Situation and Perspectives on Climate Change and Health in the State of Veracruz

With organization and sponsorship from the Directorate of Sanitation Risk Protection of the Secretary of Health of the Government of the State of Veracruz, a regional symposium on the current state as well as projections of climate change and regional health took place. Historical extreme events and phenomena at the regional and international level were analyzed with the purpose of training officials as the public who participated on developments in the topic.

96 individuals participated in the event, among whom 44 % were women. Participants came from the states of Campeche, Tabasco, Zacatecas, Puebla and Veracruz. Government agencies present included Veracruzana University, the Technological Institute of Boca del Rio, Veracruz Civil Protection, COFEPRIS, CONAGUA, the Veracruz State Laboratory and the Aquarium of Veracruz. The level of education of participants included students, graduates, engineers, and persons with master’s degrees and/or doctorates.

At the end of the event, with positive participation and feedback from the participants, the objective of strengthening capabilities was achieved. Officials will be able to apply the knowledge learned in their daily activities in the health sector and will be better prepared before potential climate phenomena in the region. The interest sparked among the public motivated them to maintain a continuing education on the topic with self-learning tools that were given in the symposium as well.