Building a Healthy Future: Public Health and Sustainable Solutions

Dear Colleagues,

Building a healthy future is inevitable for the health and well-being of current and future generations. Sustainable living environments that enhance public health are a foundation to maintain and improve health and well-being and play a role in the development of economic growth. We are excited to announce a call for submissions to a Special Issue focusing on accountability, sustainability, environmental and public health, and equity. This Special Issue explores innovative research, policy perspectives, and practical implementations that contribute to building a healthy future for current and future generations. We invite manuscripts that examine a wide range of topics including, but not limited to (1) sustainable urban/rural development and planning; (2) social determinants of health and equity; (3) healthy indoor home environments; (4) environmental and occupational health; and (5) energy poverty/equity. Energy poverty, a condition where households cannot afford basic energy services, can lead to inadequate heating or cooling, impacting health through increased vulnerability to extreme temperatures, respiratory conditions, and stress-related illnesses. This Special Issue seeks submissions for energy equity, alleviating energy poverty, and reducing adverse health risks.

We seek submissions for an upcoming Special Issue focused on "Building a Healthy Future: Public Health and Sustainable Solutions". This Special Issue aims to compile a diverse collection of manuscripts that explore innovative strategies, scientific research, and policy analyses addressing critical areas within urban/rural development and planning, social determinants of health, equity, and built environments such as indoor home environments. 

We invite contributions investigating energy equity, promoting sustainable development in urban and rural settings, and ensuring healthy indoor home environments. We aim to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, public health, and social justice, paving the way for equitable health outcomes across all communities. 

Submissions may include but are not limited to, empirical research, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and policy briefs that provide insights into how we can protect and enhance the health of populations while ensuring sustainable environmental practices. We are particularly interested in works addressing the challenges and opportunities in creating resilient health systems that can withstand environmental pressures, promote equity, and support the well-being of individuals and communities. 

This call allows researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community organizations to share their work, innovations, and perspectives on creating a sustainable and healthy future for all. We look forward to your contributions illuminating current challenges and inspiring actionable solutions to improve environmental and public health globally. 

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: (1) sustainable urban/rural development and planning; (2) social determinants of health and equity; (3) healthy indoor home environments; (4) environmental and occupational health; and (5) energy poverty/equity. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Inkyu Han
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sustainability
• urban/rural development and planning
• social determinants
• health
• energy
• built environment
• indoor home
• occupational health
• equity