A Decade of Impact: How the IFMSA Environment and Health Program Is Shaping the Future of Planetary Health
Categories: Climate change & health Vulnerability & Adaptation Assessments, Global, Healthy Climate Action in Other Sectors
Publisher: International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)
Over nearly a decade, the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) Environment and Health Program has grown from a small initiative into one of the Federation’s most influential global movements. From 2015 to 2025, it has educated thousands of students, influenced global policy, strengthened youth leadership, and highlighted the essential connection between environmental protection and human health.
1) Global Reach and Expanding Engagement
Our numbers throughout the years:
- More than 160 activities were enrolled or reported
- An accumulated reach of over 250.000 people through campaigns, trainings, and community outreach;
- Activities in all world regions every year;
- Up to 65 percent of projects collaborate with interconnected networks of organizations.
This growth reflects increasing awareness of medical students that planetary health is a core public health priority.
2) Building Climate-Aware Health Professionals
Education has been one of the program’s strongest pillars. Across the years, the program implemented:
- Dozens of international, national, and local workshops
- Major educational initiatives such as the EARTH Workshop, Climate Alarm Newsletter, and the Planetary Health in Medical Education survey
- Curricular progress, with more than 69 medical schools incorporating environmental or climate-health content
Together, these efforts prepare future healthcare professionals to respond to climate-related health challenges.
3) Youth Leadership in Global Climate Diplomacy
The program has become a trusted youth presence in major climate negotiations. From COP22 to COP30 and multiple Bonn conferences, IFMSA delegations contributed statements, policy briefs, interventions, and discussions. They also helped shape key IFMSA policies on fossil fuel divestment, sustainable food systems, plastics in healthcare, biodiversity, pollution, WASH, and One Health. This engagement has placed IFMSA among the leading youth health advocates in international climate spaces.
4) Grassroots Initiative with Real Community Impact
Beyond global advocacy, the program has empowered diverse local and national initiatives across all regions, demonstrating how environmental and health action can create direct, tangible change in communities. These grassroots efforts include:
- Climate education and youth leadership programs
- Health sustainability efforts
- WASH interventions and urban health advocacy
- Air Pollution awareness and environmental fieldwork
- Food production and security initiatives
- Advocacy related to fossil fuel divestment and environmental justice
- Multi-country campaigns such as World Environment Day and World Water Day
These efforts show how global priorities translate into tangible local benefits.
5) System-Level Change and Regional Collaboration
Across the years, the program contributed to:
- WHO consultations and global webinars
- Growth in national environmental health advocacy by NMOs (National Member Organizations)
- Shifts toward fossil-free investments
- Stronger regional and international collaboration.
These developments have strengthened students’ capacity to influence environmental health systems and policies.
6) A Legacy of Leadership and Hope
From the early policy briefs at COP22 to new workshops and cross-regional campaigns, the Environment and Health Program has evolved into a model for youth-led climate and health leadership. Its work has expanded participation, increased collaboration, strengthened medical education, and amplified youth voices in high-level negotiations.
Its long-term impact is clear: healthier communities, stronger advocacy, empowered students, and a global network working together to protect both people and the planet.