With the signing of the Planetary Health Charter, FH Salzburg joined an international network that takes the health impacts of climate change seriously and actively counteracts them.

“The signing is more than a symbolic act. As a university, we commit to embedding climate and health literacy in teaching, research and practice,” explains Ruth E. Resch, Programme Director for Orthoptics, who spoke on eye health in the context of climate change at the Planetary Health Congress in autumn 2025.

Extreme weather events and air pollution have a direct impact on physical and mental health: heatwaves increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, new infectious diseases are spreading, and psychological stress caused by climate crises is rising.

“Health professionals must be prepared to act with climate competence in their field of work,” emphasises Geja Oostingh, Head of the Department of Health Sciences.

For six years, FH Salzburg has been highlighting the relevance of Planetary Health through its interdisciplinary bachelor symposium “Change.Climate.Resilience”. At this year’s event, Ruth E. Resch demonstrated how climate-related topics are implemented across all health sciences degree programmes: measures range from new courses and integration into existing modules in Orthoptics and Physiotherapy, through resource-saving methods in Radiologic Technology, to bachelor theses on climate and sustainability in Occupational Therapy.

This is complemented by innovations in the Skills Labs, such as the use of placebo medication (Nursing, Midwifery) or digital inventory management in Biomedical Science.

In addition, lecturers in Orthoptics and Physiotherapy expanded their expertise in 2025 through the “Train-the-Trainer” programme by “Gesundheit Österreich GmbH”, to sustainably integrate climate topics into teaching and strengthen professional networks.

The research group “Advances in Resilient Health Systems and Health Education” at the Department of Health Sciences investigates climate-resilient healthcare concepts and the interactions between human health and climate-related environmental changes. For example, climate data and its impact on rehabilitation sites and outdoor activities are analysed, and projects on the health effects of heat for patients and healthcare staff are initiated.

Researchers also engage in national and international networks to strengthen health literacy in the field of Planetary Health.

“Our goal is to develop evidence-based, climate-resilient recommendations for healthcare professionals and patients through interdisciplinary collaboration and to enhance their capacity for action,” explains research group leader Melanie Roth.

The Planetary Health Charter 2030 was created through a participatory process initiated by University of Applied Sciences Burgenland and developed with numerous partners (including Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, Health for Future Austria). It provides a strategic framework to ensure the integration of climate-related health literacy into education, research and practice by 2030. The Charter is aligned with global concepts such as the Planetary Health Alliance and the WHO strategy for sustainable health systems.