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Digital Public Health 2025: Explore 10 Global Research Priorities

Frontiers in Public Health presents 10 high-impact Research Topics open for submissions.

From AI ethics to digital literacy, data equity, and serious games, these topics invite researchers to shape the future of health systems, policy, and practice through interdisciplinary collaboration.

This Research Topics are launched in collaboration with the 10th Digital Public Health Conference (Madeira, 23–25 July 2025), a world-leading annual interdisciplinary event on research and innovation in digital public health, organized by University College London.

Submissions are welcome from conference speakers, attendees, and the wider research community.

Medical students sitting at desk with VR goggles and getting knowledge during virtual reality

Featured Research Topics

Frontiers' Research Topics are peer-reviewed article collections around cutting-edge research themes. Browse active Research Topics below and contribute to global digital public health

Learn more about how Research topics work.

Now open for submissions

5G network digital hologram and internet of things on city background.5G network wireless systems.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence in Public Health: Challenges, Barriers and Opportunities - Guglielmo M. Trovato, Rosario Squatrito, Eduardo Lima

This Research Topic aims to investigate current challenges and barriers hindering the broader adoption of IoT and AI in public health, outlining innovative solutions, strategies, and opportunities for successfully harnessing these technologies

Nurses with fingerprint technology to patient.

A Public Health Workforce for the Digital Age: Digital Skills and Technologies in Public Health Education and Training - Rok Hrzic, Laura Maaß

This Research Topic aims to consolidate insights into the essential digital competencies that need to be integrated into public health education.

Side view of young African American researcher in lab coat and surgical gloves typing on laptop keyboard while sitting by desk

Digitalizing Health Information Systems in the WHO European Region and Advancing Interoperability with WHO Classifications (ICD-11, ICF, ICHI) - Karapet Davtyan

This Research Topic focuses on understanding how countries are leveraging WHO Reference Classifications, ICD-11, ICF, and ICHI, to standardize health data recording, enhance data comparability and cross-border data exchange.

Cropped portrait of adult sleepy male with glasses surfing in web before dreaming. Social media addiction, half-closed tired eyes, sleep disorder, dependency on a cell phone, sleeplessness concept.

The Role of Public Health in Preventing Digital Harms - Ilona Kickbusch, Anurag Agrawal, Louise Holly, Salman Khan

This Research Topic aims to explore the pivotal role of public health in addressing the negative consequences of digital transformations

Woman doctor using tablet computer in hospital

Health Data Equity - Brieuc Lehmann, Elinor Laws

This Research Topic aims to investigate innovative strategies and tools that promote equitable data practices, ensuring that all populations are accurately represented and benefit from public health initiatives.

VR Workout App, Fitness Game. Sporty lady in vrtual reality headset exercising using digital application, making forward lunges at home. Woman using modern technologies for online domestic training

Serious Games and XR in Public Health: Capturing Attention to Deliver Life-Saving Information - Nuno Feixa Rodrigues, Patty Kostkova, Eva Oliviera

This Research Topic seeks to explore how immersive media, particularly serious games and extended reality (XR), can be designed, tested, and implemented to deliver critical health messages in a way that is engaging, memorable, and behavior-changing..

Portrait of diverse female business team discussing project while sitting at table during meeting in conference room, shot from behind glass wall

Ethical Challenges of AI - Ann Borda, Patty Kostkova

This Research Topic aims to delve into the ethical challenges and considerations associated with the deployment of AI technologies in public health.

Female doctor doing online consultation with tablet showing covid-19 vaccine

Digital Health Misinformation - Kathleen W. Guan, Carmine Iorio, Tamara Vazquez Barrio, Roberto Gelado Marcos

This research topic addresses the urgent and growing challenge of health misinformation in digital spaces.

Doctor explaining from tab to senior pateint about health condition after surgery - concept of technology, health care and relaxation.

Digital Public Health Communication and Literacy

This Research Topic aims to explore the dynamic field of digital public health communication and literacy.

Operationalizing Precision Health

This Research Topic seeks original research, systematic reviews, methodological papers, and case studies that address the operationalization of precision health

5G network digital hologram and internet of things on city background.5G network wireless systems.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence in Public Health: Challenges, Barriers and Opportunities - Guglielmo M. Trovato, Rosario Squatrito, Eduardo Lima

This Research Topic aims to investigate current challenges and barriers hindering the broader adoption of IoT and AI in public health, outlining innovative solutions, strategies, and opportunities for successfully harnessing these technologies

Nurses with fingerprint technology to patient.

A Public Health Workforce for the Digital Age: Digital Skills and Technologies in Public Health Education and Training - Rok Hrzic, Laura Maaß

This Research Topic aims to consolidate insights into the essential digital competencies that need to be integrated into public health education.

Side view of young African American researcher in lab coat and surgical gloves typing on laptop keyboard while sitting by desk

Digitalizing Health Information Systems in the WHO European Region and Advancing Interoperability with WHO Classifications (ICD-11, ICF, ICHI) - Karapet Davtyan

This Research Topic focuses on understanding how countries are leveraging WHO Reference Classifications, ICD-11, ICF, and ICHI, to standardize health data recording, enhance data comparability and cross-border data exchange.

Cropped portrait of adult sleepy male with glasses surfing in web before dreaming. Social media addiction, half-closed tired eyes, sleep disorder, dependency on a cell phone, sleeplessness concept.

The Role of Public Health in Preventing Digital Harms - Ilona Kickbusch, Anurag Agrawal, Louise Holly, Salman Khan

This Research Topic aims to explore the pivotal role of public health in addressing the negative consequences of digital transformations

Woman doctor using tablet computer in hospital

Health Data Equity - Brieuc Lehmann, Elinor Laws

This Research Topic aims to investigate innovative strategies and tools that promote equitable data practices, ensuring that all populations are accurately represented and benefit from public health initiatives.

VR Workout App, Fitness Game. Sporty lady in vrtual reality headset exercising using digital application, making forward lunges at home. Woman using modern technologies for online domestic training

Serious Games and XR in Public Health: Capturing Attention to Deliver Life-Saving Information - Nuno Feixa Rodrigues, Patty Kostkova, Eva Oliviera

This Research Topic seeks to explore how immersive media, particularly serious games and extended reality (XR), can be designed, tested, and implemented to deliver critical health messages in a way that is engaging, memorable, and behavior-changing..

Portrait of diverse female business team discussing project while sitting at table during meeting in conference room, shot from behind glass wall

Ethical Challenges of AI - Ann Borda, Patty Kostkova

This Research Topic aims to delve into the ethical challenges and considerations associated with the deployment of AI technologies in public health.

Female doctor doing online consultation with tablet showing covid-19 vaccine

Digital Health Misinformation - Kathleen W. Guan, Carmine Iorio, Tamara Vazquez Barrio, Roberto Gelado Marcos

This research topic addresses the urgent and growing challenge of health misinformation in digital spaces.

Doctor explaining from tab to senior pateint about health condition after surgery - concept of technology, health care and relaxation.

Digital Public Health Communication and Literacy

This Research Topic aims to explore the dynamic field of digital public health communication and literacy.

Operationalizing Precision Health

This Research Topic seeks original research, systematic reviews, methodological papers, and case studies that address the operationalization of precision health

Ready to contribute? Join the global conversation

Submit your research to one of our Digital Public Health Research Topics and be part of a global community advancing health innovation, equity, and impact.