Planetary and Population Health: A new research frontier at ARU

'You cannot have healthy people on a sick planet.'

In an era where climate change is recognised as a public health emergency, the Planetary and Population Health Research Group at ARU is bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and human well-being.

This interdisciplinary group’s mission is clear: to protect the planet as part of safeguarding the health of current and future generations. By bringing together experts across healthcare, environmental science, and social policy, the group is mobilising the health and care community to act on climate change as a core component of improving the planet and the population.

Established within the Health and Care Research Centre (HCRC), the group adopts an interdisciplinary approach to applied research, drawing on nursing, midwifery, allied health, social care, and more to enhance health services, professional practice, and community well-being. In practice, the team combines expertise from public health, clinical care, and environmental sciences.

The research group is working towards 'developing an understanding of the effects of environmental exposure and implementing local interventions to support population health and wellbeing', meaning its work spans from research analysis of climate-health connections to grassroots public health projects.

Collaborating across disciplines and communities

Co-led by Prof Sally Fowler Davis, Dr Nebil Achour, and Dr Oladapo Akinlotan, the Planetary and Population Health Research Group unites health and care scholars with sustainability researchers.

This interdisciplinary structure reflects the group’s core philosophy: addressing planetary and population health issues requires collaboration across disciplines and beyond traditional boundaries. By combining expertise from fields such as epidemiology, climate science, gerontology, and health services research, the team can approach challenges holistically and develop innovative solutions.

Climate change is not merely an environmental issue but a public health challenge, and for this reason, the group prioritises topics as diverse as climate action, health equity, and healthy ageing. The scope of the group’s research is further demonstrated through its major projects and initiatives, which illustrate the interconnectedness of climate action and healthy ageing in practice. Current and recent projects include:

• Climate-related health risks and older populations
• Cognitive Frailty Interdisciplinary Network (CFIN)
• Net Zero researcher training
• Green Heron Audit and Planetary Health Report Card
• Preparing a just and sustainable future for care-experienced youth

The group are also currently working towards securing major external funding from bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), recruiting the next generation of researchers through new PhD opportunities, and hosting regional seminars to share knowledge and drive change. Each of these efforts feeds into a larger goal: building health system resilience and community well-being in the face of climate challenges.

Making real-world impact (join us!)

This blog, complementing the main research group page, will be the go-to space to read about the latest research and projects from members of the group. We invite academics, students, policymakers, and members of the public to connect with us – join our seminars, collaborate on projects, or simply follow our updates – as we work together to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration and an unwavering commitment to both people and planet, ARU’s Planetary and Population Health Research Group is proving that the best way to safeguard our health is to safeguard the world we all share.

Haniya Syed, Lecturer, School of Allied Health and Social Care