Artificial Intelligence and Public Health: From Predictive Models to Preventive Actions
A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health and Preventive Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Interests: public health; environmental health; preventive medicine; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into public health is one of the most significant paradigm shifts of the past decade. AI and machine learning systems are increasingly capable of processing complex, multidimensional health data ranging from environmental exposures and disease surveillance indicators to behavioral and social determinants of health. This transformation is redefining how we understand, prevent, and manage health challenges at the individual, community, and population levels.
Despite remarkable progress, many questions remain open. How can AI-based predictive models truly improve prevention rather than just prediction? How can digital tools and intelligent systems support decision-making in real-world public health contexts—balancing innovation with ethics, transparency, and equity? And how can data-driven approaches contribute to healthier environments, communities, and lifestyles?
The aim of this Special Issue is to bridge the gap between population-level public health research and practical healthcare system applications, promoting the integration of AI-driven insights into clinical and preventive decision-making. We particularly welcome studies that go beyond descriptive epidemiology to apply AI-based models for prediction, prevention, and decision support in both healthcare practice and public health policy. Contributions may include research on AI for disease surveillance, early intervention, and health promotion; studies exploring the integration of environmental and social determinants into healthcare decision-making; and investigations addressing the ethical, regulatory, and equity dimensions of AI implementation.
Particular attention will be given to interdisciplinary studies that connect AI with healthcare systems, public health policy, and the “human-centered” design of digital solutions.
In this Special Issue, original research papers, systematic reviews, methodological studies, and perspectives are all welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Predictive modelling and machine learning for disease prevention and healthcare decision support;
- AI-based disease surveillance and risk forecasting for communicable and noncommunicable diseases;
- Data-driven approaches to health promotion and behavior change in clinical and community settings;
- Digital decision-support tools for healthcare management, policy, and resource planning;
- The integration of AI with social, clinical, and health system datasets to enhance prevention and patient care;
- AI applications for population health monitoring and early intervention strategies;
- Ethical, regulatory, and equity dimensions of AI adoption in healthcare and public health practice.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Marco Dettori
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
- artificial intelligence
- public health
- health systems
- machine learning
- predictive models
- disease surveillance
- digital health
- health promotion
- health equity
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