3.0

Average Course Rating

Over the past century, we have increased life expectancy, reduced poverty, and expanded access to education and healthcare, but these achievements now face growing threats from environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The emerging field of Planetary Health recognizes that human well-being is inseparable from the health of Earth’s natural systems, which are under unprecedented strain. Healthcare is both a driver of these challenges and a sector uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. From interdisciplinary discussions to off-campus experiences, this First-Year Seminar will challenge students to rethink medical practice—not as an isolated pursuit, but as part of an interconnected system. As we enter the Anthropocene—an era in which human activity is the dominant force shaping the planet—clinicians must confront the responsibility of navigating a world at a crossroads: one where we can either build on our progress or risk backsliding on the very health gains that define modern medicine. To meet this challenge, we will explore not only scientific and technological solutions but also the wisdom embedded in the arts, faith-based traditions, and indigenous knowledge—recognizing that healing has always been a profoundly human endeavor. Engaging with the legacy of innovation at Johns Hopkins Medicine, we will ask ourselves and each other: How must we redefine the role of medicine to meet the challenges of this new era?