Climate change in Ecuadorian undergraduate medical education programs: curricular assessment and the role of medical students’ associations, 2019–2024

Background: Climate change (CC) poses an escalating threat to global public health. However, training for healthcare professionals on this subject remains insufficient. Medical Students’ Associations (MSAs) have taken independent initiatives to address this gap. In Ecuador, the extent of such efforts remains largely undocumented. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the integration of CC-related topics in Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) programs and student-led CC-related initiatives across Ecuadorian universities. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for the period 2019–2024. First, curricular frameworks from 20 UGME programs were reviewed to identify courses addressing CC. Second, official social media accounts of MSAs were examined to document related activities. Categorical variables were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while quantitative variables were described using measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: Nine courses referencing CC were identified across eight UGME programs. About 44% of the courses had accessible syllabi and only 25% integrated CC-related content. Thirty-eight CC-related activities were recorded across 30 MSAs. The MSA associated with the identified UGME program reported no activities. Conclusions: CC is not yet a curricular priority in Ecuadorian UGME programs. These findings underscore the need for policy-level curricular reform and stronger institutional collaboration with MSAs. Trial registration: Not applicable.