Promoting Planetary Health at Regional Level: A Qualitative Analysis of a Multisectoral Health and Environment Program

Abstract

The central idea of planetary health is a strong interdependency between human health and the environment. Thus far, practical initiatives often focus on a few narrow sectors at a time. We are lacking knowledge on the efficacy of broader interorganizational collaborations at the city or regional level. Nature Step to Health – Lahti Regional Health and Environment Programme 2022–2032 in Finland is a planetary health program. It provides a practical example of regional collaboration between various organizations such as public healthcare, municipalities, and educational and research organizations in order to achieve tangible results in striving for more sustainable futures. The program facilitates collaboration and communicates to actors that can initiate projects and implement planetary health in their everyday work. This case study aims to find out how the program has succeeded in coordinating initiatives that could support different organizations to enhance sustainability and planetary health. We conducted six semi-structured interviews about the experiences of practical actors participating in projects that relate to Nature Step to Health. The goal was to find out strengths as well as potential challenges or barriers in implementing planetary health in their organizations. The participants were generally positive about the measures, collaboration, and networking. The organization’s comprehensive approach to health promotion was considered a strength. Challenges raised by the participants were related to the difficulty to uptake the concept of combining health and sustainability in their work. There were also shortcomings in, for example, communication of the project, and lack of time and expertise. © The Authors 2024