NC
natália cristina de oliveira
São Paulo State University
São Paulo, Brazil
About this Research Topic
Manuscript Extension Submission Deadline 30 October 2026
Background
Rapid urbanization and evolving patterns of human settlement have intensified the interplay between environmental conditions, public health, and urban sustainability. Growing evidence demonstrates that urban populations are increasingly affected by air and noise pollution, insufficient green and blue spaces, urban heat islands, and exposure to various environmental hazards—all of which intensify health disparities and contribute substantially to the rising global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health disorders. Despite ongoing commitments articulated through frameworks like Sustainable Development Goal 11, challenges remain in operationalizing policies that simultaneously support environmental quality, health promotion, and resilience within cities. While interventions such as nature-based solutions, innovative urban planning, and advancements in environmental monitoring have shown promise for improving both ecosystems and human health, there is a critical need to better understand and address the unique and intersecting environmental and social determinants of health within complex urban contexts.
This Research Topic aims to advance interdisciplinary inquiry into how urban environmental determinants affect health outcomes, with a specific emphasis on health promotion and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. It seeks to identify and analyze innovative strategies, policies, and planning practices that mitigate health risks and reduce inequities, while also promoting physical and mental well-being among diverse urban populations. Key objectives include fostering cross-sectoral dialogue, integrating geospatial and epidemiological insights, and highlighting effective interventions that position the urban environment as a key asset for health improvement. By advancing this research, the topic intends to inform robust frameworks aligned with sustainable, inclusive, and health-promoting city development.
Focusing on the intersection of urban sustainability, health promotion, and non-communicable diseases, this Research Topic covers interdisciplinary research and practical approaches suitable for diverse socioeconomic settings, with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized communities. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
o Environmental determinants of health and non-communicable diseases in cities.
o Health promotion through green and blue infrastructure and equitable access to urban nature.
o Building climate resilience and addressing health inequities among vulnerable populations.
o Implementation and evaluation of nature-based solutions for urban health and sustainability.
o Advances in remote sensing, GIS, and spatial analysis for urban environmental health.
o Policy frameworks and governance tools for integrating health into urban planning and development.
o Public participation, co-creation, and community engagement in city health initiatives.
o Synergistic, interdisciplinary approaches to achieving SDG 11 through health and environmental science collaboration.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Brief Research Report
- Classification
- Clinical Trial
- Community Case Study
- Conceptual Analysis
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
- Data Report
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: urban sustainability, health promotion, NCDs, resilient cities, SDG 11, urban planning, urban environment
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.
