Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are practice-oriented, competency-based programs that support countries in detecting, investigating, and responding to public health threats in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

As climate change, environmental degradation, and toxicological hazards increasingly influence disease transmission and outbreak dynamics, these challenges intersect directly with core FETP functions. However, they remain insufficiently integrated into many existing FETP curricula.

Findings from a recent regional Delphi process demonstrated strong consensus that existing FETP competencies can be adapted to climate change and environmental epidemiology when translated into applied learning objectives aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) FETP competency frameworks.

In response, EMPHNET, in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency, convened a four-day regional workshop on Developing a Climate Change and Environmental Epidemiology Curriculum for Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) from 2–5 February 2026 in Amman, Jordan.

The workshop brought together FETP experts, environmental health and climate experts, and academic faculty from across the region, reflecting a strong multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach to curriculum development. Building on the Delphi findings, discussions focused on integrating climate change and environmental epidemiology into existing FETP competency frameworks, in alignment with CDC and WHO standards.

Participatory Curriculum Development

The workshop adopted a participatory, group-based methodology. Participants worked collaboratively to reach consensus on priority learning competencies, define measurable learning objectives for each competency, identify expected deliverables and assessment approaches, agree on the core modules forming the course structure, and propose case studies and supervised fieldwork activities to support applied learning.

Discussions addressed climate-sensitive surveillance, outbreak investigation, exposure and risk assessment, risk communication, and multisectoral collaboration within a field-based training context.

Progression and Planning

The workshop progressed from validating competencies and translating them into learning objectives, to designing course modules, field activities, and assessment approaches, and concluded with implementation and readiness planning.

Implementation Roadmap

Over the next 3–6 months, the final curriculum framework, content outline, and training materials will be developed and peer-reviewed. Within 6–10 months, a regional Training of Trainers (ToT) will be conducted to prepare mentors for course delivery. Course implementation and the ToT will engage multisectoral participants, with mentors drawn from Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) and academic institutions, ensuring readiness for effective and sustainable rollout.

By aligning curriculum development with established FETP frameworks and drawing on EMPHNET’s experience in supporting FETPs across more than 17 countries in the region and beyond, this initiative strengthens regional preparedness. It also equips future field epidemiologists to address climate- and environment-driven public health threats through applied, field-based practice.