Hazel Ann Fajardo, MD, MPH
Research Interests
Climate change and health Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock and aquaculture systems Environmental health policy and governance
Our Team
Contact Details
About
Hazel is a physician and public health researcher with a background in health systems, environmental health, and program management. She has served the Philippine Department of Health since 2017 in roles including Doctor to the Barrios, Medical Officer for the Health Systems and Development Team, and COVID-19 Vaccination Site Medical Officer. At ACRI, Hazel leads projects on climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and health systems strengthening, including an ICARS-funded scoping review on climate change and AMR in livestock and aquaculture systems, and technical support for the Department of Health in developing the Philippine Climate Change and Health Roadmap and the draft Environmental Health Act. A Fulbright scholar, Hazel completed her Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health. She also holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Philippines–Diliman, grounding her work at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and public health.
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Environmental Health
Incorporating Climate Change Strategies into AMR Intervention and Implementation Research Projects: A Scoping Review
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change are two of today’s most pressing global health challenges, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events accelerating the spread of resistant microorganisms, particularly in vulnerable low- and middle-income countries. This project undertakes a scoping review to examine how climate change influences the development of AMR in livestock and aquaculture systems, while also assessing climate-smart practices, policies, and collaborative models that address both issues. Through literature synthesis, expert roundtables, and community dialogues, it seeks to generate evidence and insights that can inform integrated interventions, strengthen policy, and guide future research at the intersection of AMR and climate change.
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Environmental Health
Understand and mitigating the influence of extreme weather events on HIV outcomes: A global investigation
The Philippines faces the dual crises of a rapidly expanding HIV epidemic and intensifying climate-related disasters, yet little is known about how extreme weather events affect HIV prevention, treatment, and care. This study addresses that gap by examining the impacts of typhoons, floods, and droughts on people living with HIV, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs. The findings will provide vital evidence to inform climate-adaptive HIV care strategies and guide policies that protect at-risk communities during environmental crises.
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Environmental Health
Advancing vaccine uptake to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in low and middle-income countries of South or South-East Asia
This project explores how strengthening vaccine uptake can serve as a key strategy to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Philippines and across South and South-East Asia. By reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and the unnecessary use of antibiotics, the study aims to provide actionable recommendations for national and institutional stakeholders to better integrate vaccination initiatives into AMR control efforts, ultimately contributing to stronger, more resilient health systems.
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Environmental Health
Incorporating Climate Change Strategies into AMR Intervention and Implementation Research Projects: A Scoping Review
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change are two of today’s most pressing global health challenges, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events accelerating the spread of resistant microorganisms, particularly in vulnerable low- and middle-income countries. This project undertakes a scoping review to examine how climate change influences the development of AMR in livestock and aquaculture systems, while also assessing climate-smart practices, policies, and collaborative models that address both issues. Through literature synthesis, expert roundtables, and community dialogues, it seeks to generate evidence and insights that can inform integrated interventions, strengthen policy, and guide future research at the intersection of AMR and climate change.
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Environmental Health
Understand and mitigating the influence of extreme weather events on HIV outcomes: A global investigation
The Philippines faces the dual crises of a rapidly expanding HIV epidemic and intensifying climate-related disasters, yet little is known about how extreme weather events affect HIV prevention, treatment, and care. This study addresses that gap by examining the impacts of typhoons, floods, and droughts on people living with HIV, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs. The findings will provide vital evidence to inform climate-adaptive HIV care strategies and guide policies that protect at-risk communities during environmental crises.
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Environmental Health
Advancing vaccine uptake to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in low and middle-income countries of South or South-East Asia
This project explores how strengthening vaccine uptake can serve as a key strategy to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Philippines and across South and South-East Asia. By reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and the unnecessary use of antibiotics, the study aims to provide actionable recommendations for national and institutional stakeholders to better integrate vaccination initiatives into AMR control efforts, ultimately contributing to stronger, more resilient health systems.