After successful completion of the course, the students will
- appraise the key role of environmental determinants of health
- be able to apply multisectoral approaches in promotion of health and wellbeing
- have abilities to think and act out of the box
- be able to work jointly towards transdisciplinary solutions
- have skills to comprehensive critical analysis and policy formation
- be able to critically assess technological innovations for health and wellbeing

This transdisciplinary course looks at the impact of the environment and technology on health at various levels. The major global phenomena such as climate change, air and chemical pollution, with the provision of essential services such as water and sanitation, are studied.

Meeting the basic needs of populations for housing, energy and transportation improves health on one hand but on the other, introduces health risks through various forms of pollution. Food production and agriculture – necessary for survival - contributes to climate change. The course also deals with the relationship between health and technologies, including health software and its potential application in both developed and developing countries.

The planning of this course is carried out by scholars of the Tampere-3 Global Wellbeing Hub which is co-chaired by the course leader, Dr Mikko Perkiö. Many of the lecturers are from this network.

• Environment and health I

  • Mon 5.3. 10-12, F211AB. Dr. Ville Lähde, BIOS: Challenges to Health and Wellbeing in the Era of Global Environmental Changes
  • Wed 7.3. 13-15, F 213. Prof. Jukka Rintala, Tampere University of Technology (TUT): Implications of circular economy on health
  • Mon 12.3. 10-12, F211AB. Dr. Kirsi Maarit Lehto, UTA: Environmental Enteropathy as a way to understand global health

  Impacts of climate change on health

  • Wed 14.3. 10-12, F211AB. Author Risto Isomäki. How does the climate change cause danger to life?
  • Mon 19.3. 10-12, F211AB. Ass. Prof. Heikki Liimatainen, TUT: Connections between transportation, climate and health

  Environment and health II

  • Thu  22.3. 12-14, A210-211. Case Coaching
  • Mon 26.3. 13-15, F211AB. Lic.Sc. (tech.) Satu Hassi, MP: Chemical pollution as a global threat for health
  • Wed 28.3. 13-15, F211AB. Prof Jaakko Kukkonen, Finnish Meteorological Institute: Air pollution and its impacts on health
  • Wed 11.4. 10-12, F211AB. Dr. Jutta Pulkki, UTA: EcoHealth, OneHealth, Ecosocial health – tell the difference

  Appropriate technologies for health

  • Mon 16.4. 13-15, A210-211. Prof. Tommi Mikkonen, University of Helsinki: Software as a component for better health
  • Wed 18.4. 10-12, F211AB. Adj. Prof, UNESCO chair, Tapio Katko, TUT, Water supply and sanitation innovations as means to well-being
  • Mon 23.4. 13-15, Sen. Advisor Oras Tynkkynen, SITRA: Sustainable solutions from optimal combinations of business, politics and technology
  • Wed 9.5. 10-12, F211AB. Prof. Jari Hyttinen, TUT: How much modern medicine and health care rely on technology and engineering?