Addressing Social Determinants of Health in At-Risk Populations: A Key to Greater Health Equity

Dear Colleagues,

The persistence of chronic illnesses, environmental vulnerability, and social inequity underscores the urgent need to address social determinants of health in at-risk populations. This IJERPH Special Issue invites empirical, theoretical, and policy-oriented papers that illuminate how structural, environmental, and psychosocial factors shape health outcomes among vulnerable groups.

We especially welcome research focusing on chronic and complex illnesses such as Long COVID, lupus, ME/CFS, and other autoimmune conditions—particularly within communities already facing economic hardship, racial or gender marginalization, or geographic isolation. Studies exploring how factors such as poor environmental conditions, pollution exposure, housing instability, or limited access to care exacerbate chronic disease risk are strongly encouraged.

The goal of this issue is to highlight the interconnection between social disadvantage and biological vulnerability and to promote interdisciplinary solutions that reduce inequities, improve chronic illness management, and foster resilience in vulnerable communities. By integrating insights from public health, social epidemiology, environmental science, and health policy, this collection aims to advance the global conversation on achieving equitable health outcomes for all.

We are also interested in papers that propose health solutions for at-risk populations, including innovative and culturally responsive approaches to pain management and chronic care.

Dr. Margot Gage Witvliet
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2500 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.