Chile's health leaders spotlight emerging diseases and UNESCO chair appointment

Dr. Ximena Aguilera, former Chilean health minister and director of the University Diego Portales (UDP) Health Observatory, delivered an open lecture titled “One Health: emerging diseases and global challenges for the medical profession.” The session, held in the Faculty of Psychology auditorium, targeted first‑year medical students and university staff, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to human, animal and environmental health. Approximately 70 students attended and discussed the complexities of emerging health threats in an increasingly interconnected world.

Separately, Dr. Rodrigo Yáñez Sepúlveda, a researcher at Universidad Andrés Bello, was appointed Chile’s national representative for the UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education. In this role he will coordinate national initiatives that link scientific evidence with public‑policy design, aiming to prevent non‑communicable diseases, promote healthy lifestyles, and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.