Manila, Philippines | August 14, 2026
The Asian Health Literacy Association (AHLA) as a regional professional organization dedicated to advancing health literacy through research, education, capacity building, and international collaboration in collaboration with the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, successfully conducted a Special Lecture entitled “Advancing Public Health Literacy in a Changing World: AI, Nutrition, and Environmental Health” on August 14, 2026. The event was held in a hybrid format at the CPH Multi-purpose Hall, UP Manila, with participants joining both in person and via Zoom.
The special lecture brought together leading experts, academics, researchers, students, and public health professionals to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in advancing health literacy amid rapid technological, environmental, and societal changes. The forum highlighted the critical role of health literacy in empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions that support health and well-being.
The Asian Health Literacy Association (AHLA) as a regional professional organization dedicated to advancing health literacy through research, education, capacity building, and international collaboration in collaboration with the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, successfully conducted a Special Lecture entitled “Advancing Public Health Literacy in a Changing World: AI, Nutrition, and Environmental Health” on August 14, 2026. The event was held in a hybrid format at the CPH Multi-purpose Hall, UP Manila, with participants joining both in person and via Zoom.
The special lecture brought together leading experts, academics, researchers, students, and public health professionals to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in advancing health literacy amid rapid technological, environmental, and societal changes. The forum highlighted the critical role of health literacy in empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions that support health and well-being.
The session on AI and Digital Health Literacy featured Dr. Enny Rachmani, Vice President of AHLA, Dean of Faculty of Health Science, Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (UDINUS) and Dr. Emerito Jose A. Faraon Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health, UP Manila and Director, Research Management and Translation Office, UP Manila. The speakers discussed how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming healthcare delivery, emphasizing the need for stronger digital health literacy skills.
In the Nutrition and Dietitian Health Literacy session, Dr. Tuyen V. Duong, President of AHLA, and Dr. Kim Leonard G. Dela Luna, Professor and Chair, Department of Nutrition, College of Public Health, UP Manila. This session emphasized the importance of nutrition literacy in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing non-communicable diseases.
The Climate and Environmental Health Literacy session featured Prof. Peter Chang, Honorary President of AHLA and Adjunct Professor at Tufts University, together with Dr. Victorio B. Molina. The speakers explored the growing health impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
The event was moderated by Dr. Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, UP Manila and Director, Office of the International and Local Linkages, UP Manila. This lecture provided an important platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration.
This special lecture reflects AHLA’s ongoing commitment to fostering regional and international collaboration in health literacy research, education, and practice. The event also contributed to SDG 3, SDG 4, and SDG 17.