A core set of practice-oriented competencies facilitates integrating climate change into field epidemiology training programsNew framework helps train experts to handle climate health risks

Frontiers in Medicine Published September 12, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

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Key Takeaway

Use the consensus-based competency framework to integrate climate and environmental epidemiology into field training.

This guideline, developed through a Delphi study and workshop validation, establishes a core set of practice-oriented competencies for integrating climate change and environmental epidemiology into Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs). The scope focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to address the need for climate-resilient epidemiological capacity.

The consensus identifies several key competency domains: foundational knowledge, environmental exposures and risk assessment, epidemiological and analytical skills, climate-informed environmental public health surveillance, environmental incident and event response, vulnerability, adaptation, and preparedness, policy and governance, risk communication and community engagement, and One Health and multisectoral collaboration. The highest-rated competencies were those extending core field epidemiology functions, such as surveillance and outbreak investigation, into climate and environmental contexts.

The framework is intended to provide a feasible and scalable approach for training programs. While the study does not report specific clinical outcomes or trial data, it provides a structured consensus for curriculum development. The results suggest that integrating these specific domains can strengthen the capacity of field epidemiologists to respond to environmental and climate-related health threats.

As our world warms, health experts need new tools to track and manage diseases linked to environmental changes. A new study established a core set of skills to help train these professionals in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This framework focuses on practical skills like risk assessment, data analysis, and responding to environmental events.

The experts agreed on several key areas for training. These include understanding environmental risks, improving public health surveillance, and learning how to communicate risks to the community. The goal is to move beyond basic knowledge and give workers the specific skills they need to handle climate-related health threats in the field.

This framework is designed to be easy to use and scale across different programs. It focuses on core functions like outbreak investigation and data analysis, but applies them specifically to climate and environmental contexts. While this is not a clinical trial, it provides a clear roadmap for building a stronger, more resilient public health workforce.

What this means for you:

A new framework provides a practical roadmap for training health experts to manage climate-related health risks.

Common questions

What specific skills are included in this new training?

The training covers a wide range of skills, including foundational knowledge, risk assessment, and data analysis. It also focuses on public health surveillance, responding to environmental events, and policy and governance. Additionally, it includes risk communication and community engagement to help people stay safe from environmental hazards.

Who is this training framework intended for?

This framework is designed for Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It aims to help these specific programs integrate climate change and environmental epidemiology into their core training, making the workforce more prepared for environmental health challenges.

How does this help with climate change impacts?

The framework takes standard field epidemiology functions, such as outbreak investigation and data analysis, and applies them specifically to climate and environmental contexts. This helps experts better identify and respond to health issues caused by a changing environment.

Study Details

Study typeGuideline

EvidenceLevel 5

PublishedAug 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundClimate change, environmental degradation, and chemical hazards increasingly shape population health risks, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), where water scarcity, rapid urbanization, conflict, and fragile health systems amplify vulnerability. Despite these growing threats, Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) lack systematically defined competencies in climate change and environmental epidemiology. This study aimed to identify, prioritize, and validate a core set of practice-oriented competencies for integrating climate change and environmental epidemiology into FETPs, with particular relevance to the EMR.MethodsWe conducted a three-round modified Delphi study. Round 1 used a qualitative online survey to elicit expert input on essential competencies, priority areas, and implementation considerations. In Round 2, experts rated synthesized competencies using a 5-point Likert scale to assess importance and curricular inclusion. Round 3 consisted of a multidisciplinary expert workshop to validate and refine the competencies, clarify their applicability across FETP levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced), and translate them into applied learning modalities, including teaching case studies and structured fieldwork activities.ResultsConsensus was achieved on a comprehensive set of competencies spanning foundational knowledge; environmental exposures and risk assessment; epidemiological and analytical skills; climate-informed environmental public health surveillance; environmental incident and event response; vulnerability, adaptation, and preparedness; policy and governance; risk communication and community engagement; and One Health and multisectoral collaboration. The highest-rated competencies extended core field epidemiology functions—particularly surveillance, outbreak and environmental event investigation, and data analysis—into climate and environmental contexts. Workshop validation confirmed the relevance, clarity, and feasibility of all competency domains and emphasized tiered implementation and integration within existing FETP curricula.ConclusionThis study presents a consensus-based, practice-oriented competency framework for integrating climate change and environmental epidemiology into FETPs. By combining Delphi consensus with expert validation and operationalization, the framework offers a feasible and scalable approach to strengthening climate-resilient field epidemiology capacity, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the EMR.

A core set of practice-oriented competencies facilitates integrating climate change into field epidemiology training programsNew framework helps train experts to handle climate health risks

Common questions

Study Details

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A core set of practice-oriented competencies facilitates integrating climate change into field epidemiology training programsNew framework helps train experts to handle climate health risks

Common questions

Study Details

Health warnings on social media perceived as more effective than neutral messages in teens

Social Media Warnings May Discourage Use in Teens

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

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