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This module introduces the emerging field of planetary health, and the direct and indirect interactions between environmental and human health. Human population growth and increasing consumption have transformed and degraded our planet’s ecosystems, and this can have negative impacts on human health. Students will learn about key issues such as climate change, mitigation and adaptation actions, planetary boundaries, and social justice. These issues are relevant in contexts all across the world.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to:

• Explain and discuss the concepts of planetary health and the direct and indirect pathways that connect human health and the health of the environment.
• Appreciate determinants of risk at the health-environment nexus by populations and regions and analyse different forms of sustainable transitions.
• Explain how actions (both in terms of mitigation and adaptation) address environment and/or human health.
• Discuss how planetary health issues are related to social justice and wider social issues (e.g. intergenerational health equity, vulnerability and resilience).
• Summarise case studies of the health impacts of climate change and approaches to tackle them.

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics:

• Concepts of planetary health.
• Pathways connecting human health and ecosystems.
• Determinants of health risk.
• Mitigation and adaptation actions to address climate change.
• Relationship between planetary health issues and social justice.
• Approaches to tackle the health impacts of climate change.

Mode of delivery

This module is delivered face-to-face and online. There will be a combination of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as recorded lectures or self-directed study (asynchronous learning).

Students on this online module will participate in sessions with students who are taking the module in London at LSHTM. ‘Lectures and practicals for the online delivery of this module will be delivered during the UK time zone, on Thursdays, usually between 09:30am-12:30pm.

Assessment

The assessment consists of several components. 

There will be group work over the duration of the module to deliver a group presentation at the end of the module (20minutes + 10minutes for discussion (Q&A)). Students will be provided a choice of three topics that are tied to the content of the module's lectures. Each group will choose one of the topics provided. The group work will build the scaffolding to an individual piece of written work. The group work will account for 20% of the final grade. 

Students will then submit an individual piece of written work (technical brief) on the topic chosen based on the group presentation (2,000 words). This will account for 80% of the overall mark. 

Students can expect written feedback, which will provide details on the strengths and weaknesses of their report and direction on what the student could improve to receive a higher grade.

Assessment subject to change.

Credits

• CATS: 10
• ECTS: 5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.

Please note: information based on the 2024-25 module specification subject to change for 2025-26 entry.