Health initiatives address pain management and climate change impacts

In Santarém, Portugal, the ULS Lezíria organized a community event to mark World Pain Day. The initiative, held at Casa do Brasil, aimed to clarify misconceptions regarding pain prevention, assessment, and treatment. Teresa Rodrigues, clinical director of Hospital Care at ULS Lezíria, emphasized a multidisciplinary, person-centered approach, noting that pain is not always visible through objective signs or medical exams but remains a critical issue requiring empathy and technical competence to restore patient autonomy.

In Brazil, the University of São Paulo (USP) has launched a two-year project titled ‘A Terra Dá, a Terra Quer’ to prepare health professionals for the impacts of climate and environmental changes on public health. Coordinated by the Bauru Faculty of Medicine (FMBRU) and supported by the Ministry of Health, the project integrates teaching, service, and community engagement. It involves over 60 participants, including students and professionals from various fields, to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) in responding to climate emergencies.