Welche Inhalte soll ein Hochschulmodul „Klimawandel und Gesundheit“ vermitteln? Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse von Experteninterviews

Abstract

What content should a university module on “Climate Change and Health” convey? Results of a qualitative content analysis of expert interviews Objectives: The earth is in the midst of a climate change that has already led to worrying deteriorations in the social and environmental determinants of health. There is therefore an urgent need for action to familiarize teachers and learners with the effects of climate change on human health in the sense of planetary health. But what content should a university module on climate change and health convey? Methods: In order to find answers to this question, expert interviews were conducted in the summer of 2022 and subjected to a qualitative content analysis. Results: The interviews revealed considerable consistency of content between the topics mentioned by the experts. There were differences in how the health impacts of climate change were classified. Basic terms were not always defined consistently. There were also problems in applying the concept of prevention to the health impacts of climate change. The following structure of the module was proposed: (1) Basics: physical principles, climatic and ecological consequences of climate change, possible influence of climate change on physiology/epigenetics in humans, global concepts for considering health consequences caused by climate change, ethical aspects, topic-related methods, (2) primary, secondary and tertiary health consequences of climate change, (3) possibilities for prevention and adaptation. On this basis, a module description was finally developed. Conclusions: This description of a university module on climate change and health can form the basis for the development of further modules and courses in this subject area at German-speaking universities (especially in the health sector). This is intended to ensure not only that the knowledge acquired is applied and passed on, but also that the learners later use their knowledge to promote a climate-friendly, healthier environment and a fairer, healthier society. Keywords: climate change – health – planetary health – university studies – module description