Karolinska Institutet receives 59 million SEK for climate and health research

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet's Institute of Environmental Medicine have been awarded a total of 59 million SEK from the research council Formas to launch two new research initiatives: Cascades and Spira.

The Cascades project will investigate the health impacts of multiple extreme climate and weather events occurring simultaneously or in close succession, such as repeated heatwaves combined with air pollution. Using national registers covering approximately ten million people, researchers will study links to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and mental health issues to identify vulnerable groups.

The Spira initiative will serve as a new research center focused on integrating human health into climate transition strategies. This includes examining how health can be incorporated into climate policy, urban planning, and food environments for children and youth, as well as how the healthcare system can adapt to climate change while reducing its own environmental footprint.