Health and Education in Synergy: Strengthening Healthcare Through Educational Innovation and the Excellence of Professional Training

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between health and education is a growing area of interest due to its comprehensive impact on human and social development, representing a strengthening of Healthcare through Educational Innovation and Excellence in Professional Training. The interdependence of these two fields has been extensively documented in academic literature and public policies worldwide. Historically, education and health have been fundamental pillars of societal progress, although they have traditionally developed as separate disciplines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of an integrated approach that combines education and health to improve overall outcomes in both areas. According to the WHO, educational programs can play a crucial role in promoting public health, while population health is an essential determinant of academic performance and educational success (World Health Organization, 2017). This integrative approach has been supported by various studies showing how education influences healthy behaviors, informed decision-making, and individuals' ability to access and effectively use healthcare services.

In this context, the provision of high-quality education and ongoing training for healthcare professionals emerges as a critical factor in advancing health systems. Education not only enhances the clinical competencies of healthcare providers but also strengthens their ability to deliver safe, person-centered, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based care. The quality, accessibility, and equity of healthcare services are intrinsically linked to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the professionals who provide them. Investment in education for the health workforce—including nurses, physicians, allied health professionals, and community health workers—contributes directly to more resilient health systems and improved patient outcomes.

Moreover, education plays a crucial role in strengthening primary healthcare services, promoting preventive care, and enabling individuals and communities to engage effectively with the health system. An integrated education-health approach enables early detection and intervention, reduces hospitalizations, and supports the efficient use of health resources. It also ensures that healthcare systems are responsive to emerging public health challenges by fostering a workforce capable of adapting to new technologies, protocols, and population needs.

The concept of social determinants of health, popularized by Michael Marmot and other researchers, highlights that factors such as educational level, working conditions, and socioeconomic environment have a direct impact on people's health (Marmot, 2015). These studies emphasize the need to address health and education together to reduce social inequalities and promote overall well-being. From this perspective, equitable access to both quality education and comprehensive health services is not only a matter of public policy but also of social justice.

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), underscore the necessity of integrated and collaborative approaches. These goals provide a framework for joint action and underscore the importance of strategic partnerships across sectors in achieving sustainable and equitable development (United Nations, 2015). Promoting synergy between educational systems and healthcare infrastructures is therefore essential to achieving long-term improvements in population health and reducing disparities across regions and communities.

This Special Issue aims to participate in and contribute to this edition of the journal, 'Health and Education in Synergy: Strengthening Healthcare Through Educational Innovation and the Excellence of Professional Training,' as part of a continuous effort to promote an integrated approach that encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration between these two essential fields. A central focus will be the improvement of healthcare delivery through high-quality education and training of professionals, recognizing that well-prepared and continuously educated health workers are key to effective, equitable, and sustainable care. Additionally, this edition will incorporate elements related to the application of technology in the health sector, establishing itself as a vital space for the convergence of science, research, and practice in both domains.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in education or health.
• Observational studies, both descriptive and analytical, as well as experimental studies.
• Comparative studies, mixed-methods studies, and qualitative research.

I/We look forward to receiving your contributions.

References

1. Ten years in public health, 2007–2017: report by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization. Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241512442 (accessed on 7 July 2025).
2. Marmot M. The Health Gap: The Challenge of an Unequal World: The Argument. Int J Epidemiol. 2017, 46(4), 1312–1318. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyx163.
3. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Available online: https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda (accessed on 7 July 2025).

Dr. Jesús Molina-Mula
Dr. Francisco Vicens Blanes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• health promotion, healthcare, and disease prevention
• nutrition, health, and food security
• healthcare and interculturality
• physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• clinical competences
• occupational health
• ICTs and artificial intelligence
• telehealth and tele-education
• health services management
• continuous training
• equity of healthcare