Promoting the safety of reusables to protect human and environmental health
The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new ‘normal’ level of dependence on single-use plastics. Online shopping, takeouts, and deliveries took over as people’s mobility was greatly limited during the lockdowns. However, while human safety is of utmost priority and importance, we must also be mindful of its effects on the environment. Plastic waste may cause more risks to human health if left unchecked. This has brought to life questions single-use vs. reusable goods in the context of a global public health crisis. The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, represented by Dr. Geminn Louis C. Apostol, a leading Environmental Health Specialist, joins 125 experts from all over the world in supporting Greenpeace’s statement regarding the safety of reusables during COVID-19. Dr. Apostol explains, “While ensuring adequate access to PPE is paramount, the pandemic has exposed how both the medical and nonmedical community have an unnecessary and dangerous reliance on disposable, single-use materials. Widespread use of single-use PPE has resulted in enormous quantities entering waste management streams, contaminating both public spaces and natural environments and creating additional threats to public health and safety.” With proper hygiene and disinfection practices, reusable products can safely be used, protecting both human and environmental health.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hands-with-latex-gloves-holding-a-globe-with-a-face-mask-4167544/
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ACRI, RTI looks into the Health Security Policy Landscape in the Philippines
The Philippines faces significant health security challenges due to its vulnerability to natural disasters, frequent disease outbreaks, and the unique demands of its devolved health system. To address these pressing issues, the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Center for Research and Innovation teamed up with RTI International to assess the country’s health security policies. The project set out to map existing policies, identify overlaps and gaps, and propose practical recommendations to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to health threats. It also sought to align national policies with global standards such as the International Health Regulations (IHR).
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EcoWaste, ACRI Advocates for Safer Holiday Celebrations with "Iwas Paputoxic" Campaign
The EcoWaste Coalition, in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation's (ACRI) Environmental Health Flagship Program, launched "Iwas Paputoxic," a two-part community initiative aimed at promoting safer holiday celebrations as Christmas and New Year approached.