We are pleased to share that Laura Kadile, PhD, RGSL Assistant Professor in Medical Law and Director of the Bachelor Programmes, participated in the International One Health 2025 conference in Rome, where she presented her research, “Sustainable Healthcare through Screens for Elderly Patients: Balancing Climate Benefits and Patient Rights in Digital Healthcare.”
The integration of AI in healthcare has become a prevalent aspect of contemporary society. In the post-coronavirus global context, the scope of the right to receive healthcare services remotely has expanded significantly. The aim of this study was to investigate how to balance the right to a sustainable environment with the obligation to ensure an inclusive society that guarantees the right to health for the most vulnerable. “This raises a question: when striving to protect the right to a healthy environment, is it possible to adequately uphold the right to health and ensure accessible and inclusive healthcare for all patients, especially the elderly?”, says Laura Kadile, PhD.
In her research, the concept of sustainable digital healthcare was evaluated as a beneficial component for climate protection and the right to a healthy environment for the elderly. The analysis revealed that telemedicine has been identified as a significant potential solution for reducing carbon emissions, primarily by minimising the necessity for individuals to have in-person appointments. However, digital healthcare cannot guarantee the fundamental right to health for all individuals, particularly in cases where digital healthcare is not accessible, appropriate and inclusive. This is particularly critical for the elderly, who are considered a vulnerable group due to digital exclusion and other barriers.
These findings contribute to the protection of the elderly as a vulnerable social group, ensuring they are included and have access to health and a healthy environment, while also promoting environmental sustainability, says Assistant Professor Laura Kadile.