Johanna Johansson

Lecturer
Department of Rehabilitation , School of Health and Welfare
Doctoral Student
Research School of Health and Welfare , School of Health and Welfare
Presentation Publications

Research:

Johanna Johansson is a doctoral student in Health and Care Sciences at the  School of Health and Welfare and is affiliated with the Graduate School for Integrated Care. The Graduate School for Integrated Care is a collaboration between Högskolan Dalarna, Jönköping University, Linköping University, and Örebro University. 

Heatwaves are expected to become an increasingly frequent consequence of climate change. In the Nordic countries, where cities and communities have traditionally been designed for cold climates, there is limited experience and knowledge of extreme heat events and their impacts. As a result, preparedness for heat-related health effects is low, with vulnerable groups (such as older adults) being particularly at risk.

Johanna's doctoral project is part of the HEAT research project, which focuses on urban planning for an aging population in a warming climate. The project includes researchers from Jönköping University, the University of Gothenburg, Lund University, and Umeå University. The interdisciplinary HEAT project aims to examine various aspects of how heatwaves and hot weather, both today and in the future, affect older adults in Sweden. It will also study how well-planned urban environments can reduce heat-related health effects and enhance the well-being of the aging population.

Johanna's dissertation work focuses on examining the impact of heatwaves on community-dwelling older adults living in urban environments in Sweden. The emphasis is on how heat-adaptive strategies and urban design can facilitate outdoor activities, thereby increasing social participation and engagement in society for older adults.

  • Main Supervisor: Susanne Gustafsson, Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy at the Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health and Welfare.
  • Co-Supervisor: Isabelle Hansson, Ph.D. in Psychology, Department of Psychology and Center for Aging and Health (AgeCap), University of Gothenburg.
  • Co-Supervisor: Pär Bjälkebring, Associate Professor in Psychology, Department of Psychology and Center for Aging and Health (AgeCap), University of Gothenburg.

Project website links:
HEAT - Värmeböljors inverkan på äldre personers hälsa och välbefinnande: Erfarenheter och adaptiva strategier för utomhusaktiviteter i stadsmiljö

HEAT - Climate Game Changer - Gamification for the empowerment to adapt to climate change

Teaching:

Johanna also works as a university lecturer and teaches at the Occupational Therapy program at the Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health and Welfare.

Biography:

Johanna is a licensed occupational therapist with a Master of Science (60 credits) in Occupational Therapy. She has worked clinically as an occupational therapist for over 10 years, primarily in primary care rehabilitation.