June 5, 2008 – A new program specializing in ecohealth will be offered next September at the Faculty of Continuing Education at the University of Montreal. This interdisciplinary program aims to introduce health, education and community practitioners to a comprehensive approach to health.
Ecohealth is a new concept that takes into account many factors – social, economic, political, cultural and ecological – influencing the well-being and quality of life of the occupants of a given territory. In other words, health is no longer just a matter of physical and psychological well-being; the living environment becomes a central element of health.
“We want to broaden the skills of people who participate in projects related to the natural or built environment, whether it is the construction of a road, a factory, the implementation of new agricultural practices. or the redevelopment of a neighborhood, ”says Houssine Dridi, program manager. “Such projects can have significant impacts on human health,” he adds.
The certificate is made up of seven new courses and several already existing courses in other departments and faculties – geography, urban planning, anthropology, medicine and law, among others. The topics covered are varied: globalization and local issues, ethics, sustainable development, social determinants of health, environment and health, etc.
“To make the best decisions, we must now be able to understand the discourse of doctors, but also of architects, environmentalists and other stakeholders called upon to collaborate on a project,” specifies Houssine Dridi. The certificate is intended to create bridges between disciplines and allow stakeholders to better understand each other. “
For its first year, the program is expected to accommodate 30 to 50 students. It targets, among others, development agents, local and municipal decision-makers, educators, managers and professionals in the human, social, biological and medical sciences.
Charles Désy – PasseportSanté.net
According to Forum.
1. To find out more about this program: www.fep.umontreal.ca/ecosante [consulté le 5 juin 2008]
