O-19 Assessment of the impact of a climate and health weekly column in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper

Methods: Fifty-four (29 digital) EMEN climate and health columns were published September 09, 2024, to December 1, 2025. An assessment was conducted using Perplexity AI real-time web search which cites the source used in responding. The prompt was, ”EarthMedic and EarthNurse published weekly articles from September 2024–December 2025 in the Trinidad Guardian. Here is their website https:// earthmedic.com/. How would you assess the impact of these articles?” The AI output cited 70+ references. The output was curated and further edited by the author.

Results: The newspaper’s daily circulation is 42,300 copies plus 5,000 digital readers and is the leading online paper with 1.3 million visits monthly from diverse ages (most 45+ years) and socioeconomic groups. Beyond print and digital media, EMEN social media generates additional engagement and commentary; syndication of selected articles adapted for the Jamaica Gleaner; and professional networks shared articles in their networks. Articles covered various climate-health intersections relevant to the Caribbean. Weekly publication over 15+ months addresses the challenge that single-intervention campaigns show. Faith-based articles (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism) increased cultural relevance in Trinidad and Tobago’s multi-religious society. Articles by local healthcare providers, university faculty, and community advocates address research findings that trusted messengers improve health communication effectiveness. Articles explicitly linked climate change to noncommunicable diseases, mental health, food security, and economic impacts, which are major priorities in Caribbean health policy.

Conclusion: EMEN’s media series represents a sustained, comprehensive, and evidence-based public health communication campaign, well-aligned with national, regional and international frameworks. Limitations of the assessment indicate the need for further research and surveys of readers and health professionals.