Empowered Assessments: Strengthening the Country’s Toxicology Centers

As toxic exposures continue to pose significant public health challenges in the Philippines' diverse archipelagic setting, strengthening the capacity of toxicology centers becomes increasingly crucial. The Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), in partnership with the Batangas Medical Center Toxicology Specialty Center, organized a comprehensive "Training Workshop on Human Risk Assessment, Management, Communication, and its Applications" last July 15-19, 2024, at Hortz Hotel, Tagaytay City.

Toxic Truths Unveiled: ACRI and EcoWaste Coalition’s seminar on Day-to-Day Chemical Hazards

Together with EcoWaste Coalition, the ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) organized a seminar on the health risks of hazardous chemical wastes last 5 December 2023 (Tuesday) at the Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH), ASMPH. Facilitated by Mr. Manny Calonzo, an environmental advocate from EcoWaste Coalition, the activity was attended by at least 60 participants from various community-based organizations in Cavite, Tondo, Malabon, and Caloocan.

Call for Workshop Applicants: Utilizing mathematical modelling to aid governance in Universal Healthcare in the Philippines

The Ateneo School of Medicine & Public Health and Public Health England invite you to an online workshop entitled “Using mathematical modelling to aid governance in Universal Health Care in the Philippines.” Applications to participate in this workshop are now open until May 1, 2021. Early-career researchers and professionals are eligible to apply.

Pre-service Education in Mental, Brain and Behavioural Health: Scaling Up Implementation and Dissemination Workshop

In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been working to enhance undergraduate education for healthcare professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, in the domains of mental health, brain health, and substance use conditions. As part of the preliminary activities for the guide's release, stakeholders from around the world convened in Shanghai last March 13-14, 2024 for a strategic planning session aimed at implementation and dissemination. It is a collective aspiration to empower future generations of doctors and nurses with mental health competencies to bridge the gap in mental health provision through enhanced medical education. As a participant and presenter to these meetings, the ASMPH, represented by Dr. Angel Belle Dy, is eager to contribute to this transformative initiative and witness its profound impact on shaping the future of medical education and healthcare delivery in the Philippines and worldwide.

ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation hosts the Rise and Thrive program team during a three-day GEDSI Workshop

From 10-12 July 2024, the ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) hosted the Rise and Thrive Philippine program team during its comprehensive gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) hybrid workshop and stakeholder consultation. Rise and Thrive: Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Mental Health is a program of CBM Global Disability Inclusion in Fiji and the Philippines, supported by the Australian Government through Partnerships for a Healthy Region. The program aims to develop and document, by 2028, a model that results in the improved wellbeing of people with mental health conditions or psychosocial disability through improved community support, access to services, and systems that reinforce rights, equity, and inclusion.

Mental Health

Pre-service Education in Mental, Brain and Behavioural Health: Scaling Up Implementation and Dissemination Workshop

In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been working to enhance undergraduate education for healthcare professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, in the domains of mental health, brain health, and substance use conditions. As part of the preliminary activities for the guide's release, stakeholders from around the world convened in Shanghai last March 13-14, 2024 for a strategic planning session aimed at implementation and dissemination. It is a collective aspiration to empower future generations of doctors and nurses with mental health competencies to bridge the gap in mental health provision through enhanced medical education. As a participant and presenter to these meetings, the ASMPH, represented by Dr. Angel Belle Dy, is eager to contribute to this transformative initiative and witness its profound impact on shaping the future of medical education and healthcare delivery in the Philippines and worldwide.

Mental Health

ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation hosts the Rise and Thrive program team during a three-day GEDSI Workshop

From 10-12 July 2024, the ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) hosted the Rise and Thrive Philippine program team during its comprehensive gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) hybrid workshop and stakeholder consultation. Rise and Thrive: Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Mental Health is a program of CBM Global Disability Inclusion in Fiji and the Philippines, supported by the Australian Government through Partnerships for a Healthy Region. The program aims to develop and document, by 2028, a model that results in the improved wellbeing of people with mental health conditions or psychosocial disability through improved community support, access to services, and systems that reinforce rights, equity, and inclusion.

Mental Health

Mental Health Science Academe and Research Task Force Consensus Statements and Recommendations

This infographic presents a summary of the propositions and recommendations of the Mental Health Science Academe and Research (MHSAR) Task Force to the Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH) in order to mainstream mental health in the educational system particularly higher educational institutions (HEIs).

Mental Health

Rise and Thrive Program Team successfully concludes preparatory project design workshop

The Rise and Thrive: Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Mental Health program in Fiji and the Philippines is a four-year regional program supported by the Australian Government through its Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) initiative. Rise and Thrive aims to develop a model that improves the well-being of people with mental health conditions or psychosocial disability through improved community support, access to services, and systems that reinforce rights, equity, and inclusion. As part of its preparatory phase, the Philippines Project Team composed of lead implementing partner ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), and co-implementing partner Balik Kalipay Center for Psychosocial Response, Inc. (BKC) underwent a three-day project design workshop. The workshop was facilitated by CBM Australia’s Senior Programme Coordinator Kirsten Bate with support from the Rise and Thrive Programme Team, Sucelle Deacosta, and Kyra Ballesteros. Through the workshop process, the team sought to develop the theory of change, its logical framework, and a collaborative action plan to guide the implementation of the multi-year program over the next four years in the country.

Environmental Health

Toxic Truths Unveiled: ACRI and EcoWaste Coalition’s seminar on Day-to-Day Chemical Hazards

Together with EcoWaste Coalition, the ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) organized a seminar on the health risks of hazardous chemical wastes last 5 December 2023 (Tuesday) at the Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH), ASMPH. Facilitated by Mr. Manny Calonzo, an environmental advocate from EcoWaste Coalition, the activity was attended by at least 60 participants from various community-based organizations in Cavite, Tondo, Malabon, and Caloocan.

Environmental Health

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).

Environmental Health

Hands-On Learning, Hands-Off Hazards: Chemical Safety in the Classroom

On June 11, 2024, the EcoWaste Coalition and Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) Centre for Research and Innovation (ACRI) held a seminar at Caloocan High School on chemical safety in classrooms, attended by around 100 teachers and school leaders. Dr. Geminn Louis C. Apostol led a plenary on potential chemical hazards and mitigation strategies, followed by interactive breakout sessions where teachers identified hazards and created educational materials promoting chemical safety. Facilitators, including experts from ACRI and SEAOHUN, supported the discussions. EcoWaste's Sir Manny Calonzo emphasized the risks of heavy metals in tarpaulins, crayons, and markers, advocating for toxic-free materials. The event is part of an ongoing partnership to empower educators in creating safer learning environments for Filipino children.

Environmental Health

Climate Change and Filipino Health: ASMPH explores insights on World Environmental Health Day

Leading health experts gathered for a World Environmental Health Day webinar organized by the Environmental Health and Global Health Security Flagship Program of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), exploring how to build stronger communities in the face of climate change. Held on the 15th anniversary of Tropical Storm Ondoy, the event served as a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather.

Environmental Health

From Climate Crisis to Action: ASPMH forum explores health implications and research directions

The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), in collaboration with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), the City University of New York (CUNY), and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), hosted a forum titled “Climate Change, Health, and Infectious Diseases: Implications to Research and Practice” on December 3, 2024, at the Chung Te Auditorium, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. The event explored the complex interconnections between climate change and health, with a particular focus on infectious diseases, while providing participants with insights into conducting qualitative interviews with vulnerable populations.

Health Systems

iPRIME Study team pilots learning modules for primary care providers in remote rural Philippines

The iPrime project extends the impact of its research findings by piloting innovative primary care learning modules in the municipality of Bobon, Northern Samar.

Health Systems

People in Primary Care: Dr. Chy

Dr. Chy is a dedicated primary care physician in Northern Samar. This feature presents the challenges and successes of doing primary care in a rural setting in the Philippines.

Special Topics

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Hosts Inaugural Asian Functional Medicine Conference

Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines - March 22-23, 2024 - The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) successfully organized the inaugural Asian Functional Medicine Conference with the theme "Journeys to Wellbeing: Inspiring Healthful Transformation through Functional Medicine in the Asian Landscape.”   This conference was done in a hybrid format. It was able to accommodate over 1,000 participants both online and onsite at the JY Campos Hall, Bayanihan Center of The United Laboratories, Inc. (UNILAB) in Mandaluyong.