CASN’s Nursing and Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases E-Resource modules were developed with the goal of engaging users in a learning experience providing introductory information about climate change-driven infectious diseases. The aim of the modules is to assist future and current nurses better understand the effects of climate change on infectious diseases in Canada.
Module 1 focuses on the importance of ecoliteracy to the practice of nursing, the science behind climate change, and the anticipated changes to climate both nationally and globally through the remainder of the 21st century. Traditional knowledge informs a sustainable approach, which will be crucial to control the rate and extent of climate change we can expect. This module also explores the impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases (VBDs), to set the stage for the remaining modules of the CASN Climate-Driven Infectious Disease e-resource. The module concludes with a look at specific actions nurses can take with respect to climate change.
Module 2 is an overview of VBDs in Canada, with a focus on the main threats of Lyme disease and West Nile Virus, as a direct result of climate change. The epidemiology of the two diseases are discussed, as well as the clinical features, causative agents, incubation, and transmission.
Module 3 focuses on risk and protective factors for VBDs, as well as primary preventive strategies to address VBD, including mitigation, risk assessments, protective health measures, and surveillance. Secondary preventative strategies and key public health initiatives for Lyme disease and West Nile Virus are also addressed.
Module 4 examines the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. Issues such as the complexities and inequities in the treatment of VBDs, the lived experiences of patients with VBDs, and outcomes following VBDs in Canada are also discussed.
Module 5 is concerned with the lived experience of VBD’s and the importance of advocacy in promoting best practices and quality care for people who have been affected by these diseases. Strategies and frameworks to promote equity in diagnosis, treatment, and recovery are explored. The role of the nurse as advocate for high quality and equitable VBD care is discussed.
Perspectives Guiding the Nursing and Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases E-Resource
- Interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration is necessary to address vector-borne disease (VBD)
- Respectful acknowledgement of the lived experience and unique challenges of VBDs is essential.
- Respectful acknowledgement of the cultural strengths, traditional knowledge, and effects of systemic historical and contemporary traumas is critical in working alongside Indigenous communities, families and individuals.
- There are multiple ways of knowing: reason, sense perception, emotion, language, memory, intuition, faith, imagination, and Indigenous ways of knowing and being which sees the whole person (physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual) as interconnected to land and in relationship to others (family, communities, nations).
The Nursing and Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases E-Resource modules were primarily designed for use by nursing faculty, given CASN’s mission to build excellence within nursing education. The modules are mapped to CASN’s Guidelines for Undergraduate Nursing Education on Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Disease, to provide a curriculum or course development resource for faculty.
Nursing faculty may opt to use these resources as part of a syllabus, as required reading or as a classroom activity. The modules are also designed for self-directed learning for nursing faculty, nursing students, or other health professionals.
No background knowledge in climate change and/or vector-borne diseases is required. The modules were created to provide introductory knowledge on these topics, teaching tools, learning resources, and links to relevant external resources for users wishing to explore content in greater depth.
CASN is a not-for-profit organization committed to creating high quality and accessible educational resources. This bilingual, open-access e-resource was made possible through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
CASN’s Nursing and Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases E-Resource modules were developed with the goal of engaging users in a learning experience providing introductory information about climate change-driven infectious diseases. The aim of the modules is to assist future and current nurses better understand the effects of climate change on infectious diseases in Canada.
Module 1 focuses on the importance of ecoliteracy to the practice of nursing, the science behind climate change, and the anticipated changes to climate both nationally and globally through the remainder of the 21st century. Traditional knowledge informs a sustainable approach, which will be crucial to control the rate and extent of climate change we can expect. This module also explores the impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases (VBDs), to set the stage for the remaining modules of the CASN Climate-Driven Infectious Disease e-resource. The module concludes with a look at specific actions nurses can take with respect to climate change.
Module 2 is an overview of VBDs in Canada, with a focus on the main threats of Lyme disease and West Nile Virus, as a direct result of climate change. The epidemiology of the two diseases are discussed, as well as the clinical features, causative agents, incubation, and transmission.
Module 3 focuses on risk and protective factors for VBDs, as well as primary preventive strategies to address VBD, including mitigation, risk assessments, protective health measures, and surveillance. Secondary preventative strategies and key public health initiatives for Lyme disease and West Nile Virus are also addressed.
Module 4 examines the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. Issues such as the complexities and inequities in the treatment of VBDs, the lived experiences of patients with VBDs, and outcomes following VBDs in Canada are also discussed.
Module 5 is concerned with the lived experience of VBD’s and the importance of advocacy in promoting best practices and quality care for people who have been affected by these diseases. Strategies and frameworks to promote equity in diagnosis, treatment, and recovery are explored. The role of the nurse as advocate for high quality and equitable VBD care is discussed.
Perspectives Guiding the Nursing and Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases E-Resource
- Interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration is necessary to address vector-borne disease (VBD)
- Respectful acknowledgement of the lived experience and unique challenges of VBDs is essential.
- Respectful acknowledgement of the cultural strengths, traditional knowledge, and effects of systemic historical and contemporary traumas is critical in working alongside Indigenous communities, families and individuals.
- There are multiple ways of knowing: reason, sense perception, emotion, language, memory, intuition, faith, imagination, and Indigenous ways of knowing and being which sees the whole person (physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual) as interconnected to land and in relationship to others (family, communities, nations).
The Nursing and Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases E-Resource modules were primarily designed for use by nursing faculty, given CASN’s mission to build excellence within nursing education. The modules are mapped to CASN’s Guidelines for Undergraduate Nursing Education on Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Disease, to provide a curriculum or course development resource for faculty.
Nursing faculty may opt to use these resources as part of a syllabus, as required reading or as a classroom activity. The modules are also designed for self-directed learning for nursing faculty, nursing students, or other health professionals.
No background knowledge in climate change and/or vector-borne diseases is required. The modules were created to provide introductory knowledge on these topics, teaching tools, learning resources, and links to relevant external resources for users wishing to explore content in greater depth.
CASN is a not-for-profit organization committed to creating high quality and accessible educational resources. This bilingual, open-access e-resource was made possible through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
