Planetary health action framework: A case study

Abstract

Planetary Health (PH) action is urgent to avoid the collapse of Earth's systems that sustain human health. PH care has been proposed as an approach to improve health equity and reduce healthcare´s ecological footprint. This paper presents the conceptual framework of patient-centered PH care as essential for PH action at the community level. We examine and reflect on one primary care clinical case through 8 lenses: 1) Actor-Network Theory, 2) Evidence-based medicine, 3) Patient-Centered Clinical Method; 4) Principles of Primary Care, 5) Proposed new primary care derivate principle of PH care, 6) the WONCA´s (World Organization of Family Doctors) core competencies tree, 7) WONCA´'s curriculum, and 8) Sustainable Development Goal 3. This case offers insights into functions of primary care that mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the challenges of climate emergency and Anthropocene. It “connects-the-dots” to propose a new identity of primary care, elaborate a blueprint for patient-centered PH care and a roadmap for PH action at the community level.