With just over a month to go until World Family Doctor Day, 19 May 2024, we have all the resources you need to help spread our message of ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’. Plus an update on our MDD Minds course, upcoming webinars and more.

WEBSITE: We have re-launched worldfamilydoctorday.org, the hub for our 2024 campaign ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’, which aims to highlight the link between the health of our planet and the health of our patients.

MESSAGES: Our campaign will focus on three key messages:
1. Human activities that disrupt Earth’s natural systems directly affect our health, and protecting the environment is essential for our well-being.
2. Family doctors have a unique capacity to understand and communicate the shifting landscape of planetary health challenges, as trusted sources of information in their communities.
3. Primary care and preventing disease is the key to reducing carbon emissions of the healthcare sector, which currently accounts for a 4.4% of global emissions.

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT: A Trello board with social media resources including logos, banners, zoom background and twibbons has been created to help spread our campaign on social media.

JAPANESE COURSE NOW ONLINE: Our self-paced online course is achieving remarkable global participation. We are excited to announce the launch of the Japanese version of the MDD Minds 101 course, now open to all participants residing in Japan.

Developed by WONCA’s Working Party on Mental Health, this course is the result of collaborative efforts by experts across 12 countries, including Dr. Ryuki Kassai from Japan. The curriculum is designed to enhance your understanding and management skills for Major Depressive Disorders.

REGISTER: We invite you to join this journey to enhance your capabilities in mental health care. To register, please visit mddminds.org/jp. Engaging in the MDD Minds 101 course will not only foster your professional development but also positively influence the lives of countless individuals, highlighting the essential role you play in our healthcare system.

REUNION: Established in 1972, the WONCA International Classification Committee (WICC) will celebrate over 50 years with a reunion event on May 24th 2024 with esteemed former members. 11:00 – 13:00 (CET). Please note correct time. Register on Zoom here.

NEW MEMBERS WANTED: WICC is also opening its doors for new members. This is a unique opportunity for national associations to contribute to the vital work of medical classifications. Contact the WICC chair Gustavo Gusso for more information.

WONCA South Asia Region Conference: Colombo, Sri Lanka. May 3-5, 2024.
Registration is still open.

8th WONCA Africa Region Conference: Nairobi, Kenya. June 5-8, 2024.
Registartion closes April 30, 2024

WONCA Asia Pacific Region Conference: Singapore. August 21-24, 2024.
Early Bird Registration until July 1, 2024

Ubuntu 2024 – WONCA Rural Conference: Cape Town, South Africa. September 10-13, 2024.
Registration and Bursary Information.

WONCA Europe Conference: Dublin, Ireland. September 25-28, 2024
Abstract submission closes in less than a week.
Check out the ICGP’s short video guide on preparing a good abstract.WONCA Iberoamericano – CIMF Conference: Panama City, Panama. October 23-26, 2024.
Early Bird discount available until April 30, 2024

LET’S TALK PHC: Don’t miss the upcoming #LetsTalkPHC talk show, ‘PHC: bridging rural access gaps for greater equity’ where frontline practitioners, researchers and policymakers will share unique perspectives and evidence-based interventions for #PHC4UHC. 24 April Register.

MINDFUL LIVING: NCD PREVENTION IN EUROPE: Tomorrow, April 17th at 14:00 UTC, the World Patients Alliance will host a session which aims to tackle the escalating issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with a fresh and proactive approach, featuring Joao Sequeira Carlos (Portugal) co-convenor of WONCA’s Special Interest Group on Non-Communicable Diseases. More information and registration.

There are two webinars on air pollution taking place this week:

TOMORROW: Vital Strategies and Clean Air Fund invite you to a webinar showcasing the pivotal role of the health sector in driving clean air and climate action by highlighting success stories from cities around the world. Hear from government reps from India, Indonesia, Uganda, and the USA. April 17, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM GMT. Register on Zoom.

WHO: Join the WHO Air Quality, Energy and Health Unit for the webinar “Clean air for public health – Assessing population exposure to air pollution” to be held on 22 April 2024 at 15:00-16:30 (CEST). Register on Zoom.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: The Department of Family & Community Medicine (DFCM) at the University of Toronto invite current or emerging early to mid-career women leaders in family medicine from around the world to join a six week course, Advancing Women’s Excellence in Family Medicine: A Leadership Program for Emerging Leaders, running from October 24th to December 12th, 2024.