TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM

From March 2019 to October 2020 members of the WONCA Working Party for the EnvironmentrantheWONCAAirHealthTrain the Trainer Program We were motivated by thenumbers:WHOreportsthatairpollution, both outdoor and household, causes an estimated 7 million deaths annually, and is the second leading cause of deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) after tobaccosmoking

However, it is yet to be established in the curriculum of health-care students, with an estimated 11% of the 2817 medical schools surveyed around the world having formal educationonairpollutionandhealthWehad 178 health professionals from 52 different countries apply for the program and we selected73fundedtrainersbasedonfactors such as the impact of air pollution in their country, geographical spread, diversity in health profession, and ability to be successful in engaging other health professionalsonairpollution

After completing two self-directed online training courses, educational videos, and a webinar with presentations from existing trainers and air pollution teaching slides, trainers were ready to take their training to theirlocalcommunities

The depth and breadth of the training delivered by trainers was astonishing Some trainers impressed us by the number of health professionals, school students, workers, and other community members they reached through face-to-face training Several trainers spoke about the health effects of air pollution on television, radio, andpodcasts.

Others improved local and national knowledge and evidence by installing lowcostairpollutionsensorsaroundcommunity health clinics and conducting air pollution research projects, particularly in vulnerable communities, such as pregnant women exposed to household air pollution and inmates exposed to air pollution in a penitentiary

Trainers also built air pollution into school programs, medical guidebooks and one developedamassiveopenonlinecourse.Allin-all, 370 unique training activities were delivered, with an estimated direct reach of 20,940 people and a potential indirect reach estimated in the millions The number and variety of trainings delivered clearly demonstrates what can be achieved by primary care and other health professionals when combining passion and motivation withasmallamountoffunding.Andthiswas achieved while all trainers responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected them partwaythroughtheprogram

Reflectingonthetrainingprogram,thereare severallessonsthatwehavelearnedaround therecruitmentandretentionoftrainers,the training that was delivered to trainers, and the types of activities delivered by trainers We presented these findings in an article recently published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

We now hope to take these lessons we have learned and apply them to a new round of training We are working with WHO to develop a comprehensive training program for healthcare practitioners in air pollution and health, and hope to participate in training our colleagues with this training package To this end, the WONCA Working Party for the Environment is currently seekingfundingtosupportthiseffort

Pleasecontactusifyouareinterested.