Formas funds research on indoor environments and health risks linked to climate change
A new interdisciplinary research project three universities, Uppsala University, Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University, has been awarded funding by Formas. The project will investigate how indoor environments affect health risks associated with climate change and how adaptation measures can better protect vulnerable groups.
We spend most of our time indoors, yet relatively little is known about how well homes and other buildings protect people from the health effects of a changing climate.
When climate change moves indoors
As temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more frequent, understanding indoor conditions is becoming increasingly important. Indoor temperatures can differ considerably from outdoor conditions, and people vary in their ability to adapt to and protect themselves from heat exposure.
The interdisciplinary project, “Indoor environment and climate adaptations for mitigating health risks among vulnerable populations”, will bring together expertise in building engineering, environmental epidemiology and public health. The researchers will examine how indoor environments influence health risks and how climate adaptation strategies can be designed to better safeguard vulnerable populations.
New research focus at the Aging Research Centre
“I am particularly excited to be part of this collaboration, which also represents a new research direction at the Aging Research Center (ARC) and Karolinska Institutet, expanding our work on environmental determinants of health and ageing,” says Debora Rizzuto, researcher at ARC, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society.
The research aims to generate evidence that can support healthier buildings, more effective climate adaptation measures and more equitable public health policies.
Collaboration between three universities
Funding of SEK 8,999,019 has been awarded by Formas through the call ‘The impact of climate change on public health in Sweden – risks, vulnerabilities, opportunities, and synergies’.
Running for four years from 1 November 2026, the initiative brings together researchers from Uppsala University, Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University. Farshid Shadram leads the project, which includes Elaheh Jalilzadehazhari and Fatima Johari from Uppsala University; Debora Rizzuto, Jeroen de Bont, and Mare Löhmus Sundström from Karolinska Institutet; and Christofer Åstrom from Umeå University.