November 14, 2025
Across Canada, health professionals are witnessing firsthand the growing health impacts of the climate crisis. From increased illnesses and deaths linked to extreme heat and air pollution to disruptions caused by wildfires, the message is clear: the climate crisis is a health crisis.
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) has long recognized the urgent need to address climate change as a health issue. Through the development of the AFMC Roadmap for Planetary Health and Sustainable Health Systems, AFMC laid the foundation for embedding sustainability into medical education. This strategic vision continues to guide national efforts and inspire action across the academic medicine community.
“The Roadmap to Planetary Health represents the culmination of years of collaborative effort, beginning with the Declaration on Planetary Health and guided by the expertise and commitment of more than 100 leaders from across Canada and around the world,” says Joseph Leblanc, Vice-President, Social Accountability at the AFMC. “This diverse group—spanning medicine, public health, nursing, pharmacy, Indigenous health, environmental leadership, and student organizations—came together to envision a future where the health of people, communities, and the planet are interconnected.”
On October 6, AFMC proudly participated in Canada’s first National Day of Action on Planetary Health, joining health organizations and professionals nationwide in calling for urgent, coordinated national action to protect the health of people and the planet.
As part of this collective effort, AFMC signed an open letter to the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament, urging greater federal investment and stronger policies to address the health and economic costs of climate change.
Constance LeBlanc, AFMC President and CEO, also joined health care leaders and sustainability experts at The Globe and Mail’s Health and Climate Change Forum for a timely discussion on the collective action needed to build a sustainable future. At the Forum, Courtney Howard, lead author of the AFMC Roadmap, shared insights and actionable steps for integrating sustainability into medical education and health care delivery.
On the National Day of Action, AFMC was proud to lead the next phase of this work, advancing key elements of the Roadmap to strengthen climate resilience, reduce health system emissions, and embed planetary health across medical education. By mobilizing collective expertise and action, we are preparing our current and future health workforce to meet the realities of a changing climate while promoting equity, sustainability, and well-being for all communities.
To learn more and explore ways to get involved, visit the National Day of Action on Planetary Health website.