Transforming Air Quality Science into Policy for Global Health and Environmental Sustainability

Air pollution represents a significant planetary health challenge, intricately linking environmental degradation to adverse human health outcomes. According to WHO 2022 data, 9 out of 10 people globally are exposed to polluted air, and climate change continues to exacerbate air quality crises. Despite the escalating threat, prevalent gaps exist between scientific research, policy development, and societal initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. While innovative technologies and methodologies have begun to emerge, a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach is needed to further the understanding and resolution of air quality impacts within the "Planetary Health" framework. Current studies highlight novel assessment technologies and mechanistic health insights, yet an integrated effort to translate these findings into actionable policy and behavior change remains elusive.

This Research Topic aims to highlight and promote innovative methodologies for monitoring, mitigating, and modeling the health impacts of air pollution. The main objective is to advance the "Planetary Health" framework by emphasizing the interdependence of human health and natural systems. Specific questions to be explored include: What are the latest technologies in air quality monitoring? How can we enhance the integration of scientific findings into policy development? What roles do exposure science and citizen engagement play in progressing health outcomes? By tackling these inquiries, the Research Topic seeks to bridge existing gaps, inspire solution-oriented research, and foster a deeper understanding of how air quality affects human and planetary health.

To gather further insights into the complex relationship between air quality and human health, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Novel Approaches to Air Quality Assessment: Exploring AI/ML-driven predictions, low-cost sensors, and citizen science.

o Health Impacts and Mechanistic Insights: Investigating toxicology, vulnerable populations, and disease links.

o Climate-Air Quality-Health Nexus: Studying the impact of short-lived climate pollutants and extreme events.

o Solutions and Policy Interventions: Evaluating urban innovations, policy success stories, and societal behavior shifts.

Article Types Sought: Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Policy & Practice Reviews, Perspectives

These components collectively strive to transform evidence-based science into actionable strategies that promote cleaner air and equitable health outcomes worldwide.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Air Pollution, Planetary Health, Interdisciplinary Approaches, Health Impacts Innovative, Monitoring Technologies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.