This module introduces learners to the foundations of planetary health and the five domains of the Planetary Health Education Framework, emphasizing their relevance to public health, community health, and primary care nursing. Learners explore how climate change, ecological disruption, and human activity influence the emergence and distribution of vector borne diseases (VBDs), with a focus on Lyme disease in Canada. The module also distinguishes among the integrative frameworks of Planetary Health, One Health, and EcoHealth, clarifying how each approach helps us understand the interdependence between human health and the environment.
A central theme throughout the module is the importance of equity, social justice, and Indigenous Knowledges in advancing planetary health and strengthening VBD prevention. Learners examine how community based, land informed, and intergenerational Indigenous perspectives contribute to more holistic and sustainable approaches to health. The module concludes by identifying public health promotion strategies, levels of prevention, and the critical role of intersectoral and transdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex planetary health challenges across nursing practice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
- Describe principles of planetary health, including the five domains of the Planetary Health Education Framework, and their relevance for PH/CH nursing and PC nursing.
- Describe how Indigenous Knowledges and community-based approaches are integral to advancing planetary health when addressing VBD prevention.
- Recognize how equity and social justice are foundational to a planetary health approach.
- Differentiate between planetary health, One Health, and EcoHealth as integrative frameworks for understanding health–environment interdependence.
- Apply a planetary health lens to explain how climate change and human activity contribute to the emergence and distribution of VBDs, with a focus on Lyme disease in Canada.
- Identify public health promotion strategies and levels of prevention relevant to the control and prevention of VBDs with a planetary health and equity lens.
- Describe the role of intersectoral and transdisciplinary collaboration in public health and primary care nursing for planetary health.