This specialty focuses on the study of the impact of climate change on planetary health, investigating its effects on living conditions, the spread of disease and global well-being, with the aim of developing mitigation and adaptation strategies. It focuses on climatic events and their effects on human physical and mental health, environmental pollutants and other forms of environmental degradation, deforestation and modification of natural terrestrial and marine ecosystems, habitat loss and fragmentation, biodiversity loss and species extinction, the risks posed by current food production systems, farming practices, fisheries and aquaculture, and their impact on global health.

Global Health focuses on the analysis of health patterns and determinants, investigating epidemiological patterns and socio-economic and environmental factors that help to understand the interconnections between diseases, populations and health systems on a global scale. It is therefore part of the One Health concept, which recognizes that human and animal health are closely linked and interdependent with environmental health. The focus will be on the Human-Animal-Environment interdependence, in the multidirectional analysis of causes, effects and consequences on global health. It emphasizes the epidemiological risks in the bidirectional transmission of disease between Human-Animal and the role of natural systems as a factor in the propagation of vectors and the maintenance of reservoirs of infectious agents, or of the environment as a predisposing element to Human and Animal disease, also considering the risks to food safety.

This specialty focuses on the study of extreme environments, such as polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic), deserts, high altitudes, and areas subject to extreme climatic conditions. It seeks to understand how human communities, flora, fauna and ecosystems in these environments adapt, respond and interact with unique challenges, such as extreme temperatures, resource scarcity and extreme adverse conditions. It also seeks to identify emerging risks to global health, namely through exposure to new potentially pathogenic agents. The aim is to understand health in these extreme conditions and develop strategies for sustainable adaptation. The strengthening of ULisboa's training offer in extreme environments is in line with its institutional mission, as demonstrated by the creation of the College of Polar Sciences and Extreme Environments.

Governance is a critical point in the integration of social, economic and environmental policies, but also in the creation, synthesis and application of interdisciplinary knowledge that contributes to strengthening planetary health. Thus, this specialty focuses on the multi-level analysis of the political and governance dimensions of planetary health, investigating how international, national and local policies contribute to or mitigate global health challenges, in light of geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics. This analysis covers topics such as sustainable development policies, environmental regulations and the role of governance structures, technology and innovation in addressing environmental and global health issues.

The tropics are home to 40% of the world's population, including more than half of those under the age of 15. The tropics are also areas rich in biodiversity, home to around 80% of the planet's terrestrial species, which are vital for regulating the energy, carbon and water balance and, ultimately, the climate on a global scale. The tropics (oceans and rainforests) also provide natural resources of great environmental, economic, cultural and symbolic value, as well as unique health promotion challenges that impact on a global scale. This specialty seeks to highlight the challenges and needs of tropical regions, emphasizing their centrality to major issues related to Global Health and sustainable development. The reinforcement of the training offer in tropical regions is aligned with ULisboa mission, through the creation of the Tropical College.

A large part of the population lives in cities. They are the engines of economic activity and are responsible for around three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates indicate that, by 2050, around 70% of the population will live in urban environments. Therefore, this specialty focuses on urban systems, analyzing the interaction between global risks, sustainable urban development, environmental health and the resilience of cities, seeking to understand how factors such as urban planning, mobility, housing, water and air quality, natural resources or social inequalities impact the sustainability and adaptive capacity of urban areas, with a view to developing strategies to promote more sustainable and resilient cities, but also fairer and less unequal ones.