Abstract

RODRIGUEZ CABRERA, Ileana; VICEDO TOMEY, Agustín; VALCARCEL IZQUIERDO, Norberto  and  OBREGON BALLESTER, Gil. The need for environment-related training in the medical major. Educ Med Super [online]. 2020, vol.34, n.4, e2720.  Epub Jan 01, 2021. ISSN 0864-2141.

Environmental degradation is an indisputable fact. The international community, governments and peoples are called upon to stop the damage caused and to collaborate with its recovery. However, the damage is increasing.

Various natural problems destroy the Earth; also those caused by humans, such as climate change and pollution, whose dire consequences generate and aggravate plant health, animal health and human health problems.

Climate change influences the behavior of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Pollution, through environmental pollutants, such as endocrine disruptors, can lead to the appearance of chronic diseases.

Despite the fact that these conditions affect the environment and the human being in particular, there is no true environmental awareness, so it is worth asking: Why does this situation persist despite efforts made and the disclosure of this problem not only in Cuba but also worldwide?

Insufficient knowledge about environmental issues and its lack of internalization influence the lack of awareness; that is why, it is essential to teach them in the medical major, in order to achieve real training in this area, which contributes to the development of environmental awareness among the population, because one of the functions of the physician is to educate.

Cuba has potential resources that allows to face environmental problems that threaten socioeconomic development, in general, and against life, in particular, in order to achieve sustainable human development.

Keywords : environmental training; environmental problems; climate change; pollution; health problems.

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