Promoting Preventive Care and Health Promotion in Primary Care

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Preventive Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 8 August 2026 | Viewed by 2

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2. Unit of Epidemiology and Health Statistic, Local Health Autority of Pescara, 65100 Pescara, Italy
Interests: epidemiology; public health; non-communicable diseases; health services research; outcomes research; vaccines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Primary care serves as the cornerstone of effective and equitable health systems. As the first point of contact for individuals and families, it plays a crucial role not only in diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions but also in promoting health and preventing disease across the life course.

In recent decades, the global burden of disease has shifted toward chronic, non-communicable conditions, many of which are closely linked to modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption. Against this backdrop, the integration of preventive care and health promotion into primary care is no longer optional—it is essential.

However, despite the growing evidence supporting preventive interventions in primary care settings, implementation remains inconsistent across regions and health systems. Structural barriers, limited time and resources, inadequate training, and fragmented care models often hinder the systematic application of prevention and health promotion strategies in everyday practice.

This Special Issue brings together original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore innovative models, tools, and policies aimed at strengthening the role of primary care in prevention and health promotion. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following: screening and early detection programs, lifestyle interventions, digital health solutions, community-based initiatives, equity in access to preventive services, and interprofessional approaches to care.

By highlighting successful strategies and identifying persistent gaps, this collection aims to inform policymakers, clinicians, and researchers about the transformative potential of a more prevention-oriented primary care. Our hope is that it will contribute to a broader conversation on how to design and deliver primary care that not only treats illness but also empowers individuals and communities to lead healthier lives.

Dr. Giuseppe Di Martino
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. Healthcare 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 2700 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.

Keywords

  • preventive medicine
  • primary care
  • health promotion
  • healthcare
  • prevention
  • health inequalities
  • health interventions
  • behaviors
  • chronic diseases
  • non-communicable diseases

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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