Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are acknowledged as key drivers in realizing health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University of the Philippines Manila, College of Public Health (UP CPH) together with the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), hosted the 53rd APACPH International Conference last 21-23 September 2022. The conference discussed current issues relating to the attainment of SDGs and promoted collaboration of leading academic institutions and other stakeholders in addressing various public health challenges. The conference revolved around the challenges and opportunities in attaining health-related SDGs, and the good practices and roles of HEIs in addressing health disparities. The lack of certificati on framework of public health tertiary programs, pedagogy and infrastructure, and ambiguous roles and network of public health professionals were discussed. The conference served as a platform for discussing potential resolutions and ways forward in addressing these challenges. Opportunities for improvement such as updating of policies and curricula, strengthening of internship and community engagement programs, establishment of capacity-building partnerships and programs, and developing multidisciplinary-competent faculty and students were identified. This paper providesthe highlights of the conference focusing on the good practices and roles of HEIs in addressing health disparities, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and other issues and challenges in attaining SDGs.

Human ; Sustainable Development ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Public Health

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the species composition of mosquitoes collected from ovitraps in selected public schools of Metro Manila, Philippines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovitraps were installed from November 2013 to February 2014, in purposively selected public elementary and high schools of Metro Manila. Ovitraps were installed inside classrooms and collected weekly and examined for mosquito eggs and larvae. Speciation was done once a month from November 2013 to February 2014. All positive paddles were immersed in water for larval emergence, reared to fourth instars and were identified using taxonomic keys.

RESULTS: A total of 1,482 ovitraps were installed in the selected public schools, and 18,325 larvae were collected from elementary schools, while 16,670 larvae were collected from high schools. The mean ovitrap index or infestation rate was 49.69% during the period of data collection. Mosquito larvae were identified as Aedes aegypti (88.94%) and Aedes albopictus (11.06%). Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus coexisted in some of the examined paddles. No significant differences were observed between the type of school and the presence of Aedes larvae. Significant differences were observed between total number of mosquito larvae and months of collection.

CONCLUSION: The presence of Aedes mosquitoes in schools evidently shows that continuous vector surveillance in schools is necessary as this information will help in the formulation of proactive vector control activities, thereby preventing the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquito ; Aedes ; Vector ; School ; Surveillance