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Public Health and Social Change
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Public Health and Social Change

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 10188

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Thistle I. Elias

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
Interests: community-engaged evaluation and research, especially using qualitative and mixed methods, and health equity for populations by income, gender, race ethnicity, sexuality, rurality and disability
Dr. Zoé Mistrale Hendrickson

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
Interests: the role of geographic mobility in people’s access to care, the environments in which they live and work, and their health care utilization; the impact of other social determinants of health, including gender inequity, on people’s health outcomes; the innovative use of participatory and qualitative and mixed methods research methodologies to improve health research and practice

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will focus on improving community health and addressing health inequities through a commitment to social justice. Many factors impact communities’ access to health care, the quality of health care, and health outcomes. Important determinants such as housing or education are themselves impacted by income and historical discrimination. As worse health outcomes for structurally marginalized communities have become increasingly recognized, the importance of addressing disparities has become clearer. We welcome contributions that aim for a deeper understanding of the connections between specific determinants and health outcomes, especially when coupled with intervention approaches and efforts to eliminate differences in health outcomes. Work that engages diverse perspectives and community partners is encouraged. We welcome approaches using qualitative, mixed, and/or community-engaged methods. Special attention will be given to manuscripts that describe how public health researchers and practitioners engage communities to build equitable partnerships, define problems, set priorities, craft solutions, or showcase effective interventions.

Dr. Thistle I. Elias
Dr. Zoé Mistrale Hendrickson
Guest Editors

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 double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences 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 1800 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

  • health disparities
  • health equity
  • community engaged
  • social justice
  • qualitative
  • mixed methods
  • marginalized communities
  • vulnerable populations
  • social determinants of health
  • evaluation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 637 KB  
Article
Between Borders and Fractures: Journey and Mental Health of Brazilian Immigrant Women in Portugal
by Izabela Pinheiro, Mariana Holanda Rusu, Conceição Nogueira and Joana Topa
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020128 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 477
Abstract
Brazilian women’s migration to Portugal has increased in recent years, driven by hopes of safety, improved living conditions, and professional opportunities. Yet these aspirations frequently collide with structural barriers and experiences of discrimination that generate profound psychological distress. Drawing on intersectional feminist epistemology [...] Read more.
Brazilian women’s migration to Portugal has increased in recent years, driven by hopes of safety, improved living conditions, and professional opportunities. Yet these aspirations frequently collide with structural barriers and experiences of discrimination that generate profound psychological distress. Drawing on intersectional feminist epistemology and social constructionism, this qualitative study examines how social markers of difference—gender, class, race, and nationality—intersect to shape the psychological well-being of Brazilian immigrant women in Portugal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen women who sought psychological support after migration. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three interrelated themes: the migration journey, exposing the gap between idealised expectations and the realities of bureaucracy, precarity, and exclusion; inhabiting a new territory, marked by social isolation, racism, xenophobia, and professional devaluation; and the mental-health impacts of migration, showing how structural vulnerabilities and institutional racism underpin depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation. The findings challenge the individualisation of suffering, showing that psychological distress stems not from personal fragility but from systems of exclusion and enduring colonial legacies. This study underscores the need for culturally responsive and rights-based mental health care and public policies that recognise migration as a human experience demanding dignity, ethical commitment, and social justice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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24 pages, 9488 KB  
Article
Community Summits as Catalysts for Healing: Addressing Eco-Anxiety and Fostering Collective Resilience in Environmental Justice Movements
by Chinmayi Bethanabatla, Dani Wilson, Miranda Aman and Tina Ndoh
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15010040 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 526
Abstract
The ideals of community and collective action are key tenets of the environmental justice (EJ) movement. Yet the pervasive grind culture that underpins capitalist societies makes it challenging to embrace these core values. EJ convenings are organized by a variety of entities, including [...] Read more.
The ideals of community and collective action are key tenets of the environmental justice (EJ) movement. Yet the pervasive grind culture that underpins capitalist societies makes it challenging to embrace these core values. EJ convenings are organized by a variety of entities, including grassroots organizations, government agencies, environmental non-governmental agencies, and academic institutions, and often reflect the tone of the organizing entity. This work explores the impact of a community and academic partnered EJ summit in addressing ecological grief (eco-grief) and ecological anxiety (eco-anxiety), supporting collective action, and attending to healing justice. We interviewed thirteen participants who attended the 2024 Pittsburgh Environmental Justice Summit using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Drawing on insights from lived experiences with the environment and environmental harms, we sought to understand how participants perceived EJ, health, and healing, as well as the role of summits and community efforts in shaping these perspectives. Emotional impacts like eco-grief, eco-anxiety, and intergenerational trauma were other common themes established through the interviews. Despite negative emotions being more commonly expressed than positive emotions, hope emerged as the most widely expressed theme. The summit was viewed as a space for reflection, support, establishing new contacts, and promoting growth and resilience. The results underscore the importance of integrating emotional and psychological aspects into EJ frameworks as well as the value of community-based approaches that combine EJ and healing practices to foster resilience, promote equitable health outcomes, and cultivate hope through collective action and support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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20 pages, 439 KB  
Article
Migration, Motherhood, and Maternal Health: Brazilian Women’s Encounters with the Portuguese Healthcare System
by Helena Sousa, Mariana Rusu, Sofia Neves and Joana Topa
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15010006 - 22 Dec 2025
Viewed by 814
Abstract
This article examines the maternal healthcare experiences of ten Brazilian women during Portugal’s obstetric crisis, focusing on access, use, and quality of care throughout the perinatal and childbirth periods. Using a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, this study explores women’s perceptions of [...] Read more.
This article examines the maternal healthcare experiences of ten Brazilian women during Portugal’s obstetric crisis, focusing on access, use, and quality of care throughout the perinatal and childbirth periods. Using a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, this study explores women’s perceptions of the adequacy and quality of maternal healthcare, contributing to a deeper understanding of their experiences within the Portuguese health system. Thematic analysis revealed persistent barriers to accessing services, linked to limited knowledge of the healthcare system, lack of awareness of legal rights, discrimination, and other structural obstacles. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with the clarity and quality of information provided by healthcare professionals, their communication skills, and the limited access to specialized care. They also described feeling undervalued by healthcare providers and reported an absence of emotional and psychosocial support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Accounts of disrespectful and abusive practices highlight the vulnerability of migrant women. This study underscores the urgent need to recognize and address migrant women’s needs. Beyond access, policies should promote equity, cultural responsiveness, and intercultural dialogue to ensure respectful, person-centered maternal care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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22 pages, 4525 KB  
Article
Moving from Theory to Practice: Exploring How One Community-Based Organization Develops Youth Changemakers for Health Equity
by Zaida V. Pearson, Denise L. Jones, Deanna C. E. Sinex, Lyndsey Del Castillo, Kre’Shon Singleton, Nneka Obiekwu and Dennis F. Jones
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(11), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14110662 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1022
Abstract
Community-based organizations are recognized as key stakeholders for public health, as their community expertise positions them to create tailored interventions to comprehensively address community needs that large-scale public health interventions may not address. The current study describes one youth-serving community-based non-profit’s approach to [...] Read more.
Community-based organizations are recognized as key stakeholders for public health, as their community expertise positions them to create tailored interventions to comprehensively address community needs that large-scale public health interventions may not address. The current study describes one youth-serving community-based non-profit’s approach to public health, where youth civic engagement is oriented by social justice coursework and integrated within youth participatory action research (YPAR) to engage youth in health equity efforts. The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework and the Socioecological Model (SEM) were applied to student research outputs to understand student conceptualization of social issues and the subsequent interventions they suggest. This work explores the feasibility and depth of student-created interventions within each SDOH domain, identifying common themes in students’ conceptualizations of social problems and interventions to promote health equity. Suggestions for integrating SDOH frameworks into the YPAR curriculum to scaffold youth projects, identifying root causes of health disparities, and developing practical community-based solutions are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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17 pages, 264 KB  
Article
Organizing for Systems Change: Evaluation of a Local Cross-Sectoral Collaborative to Address Racial Inequity
by Tiffany N. Ford, Naomi B. Samuels, Venus Erhun Ufuoma Obazuaye, Theresa Ezeani, Denee Hill, Christina Córdova-Herrera and Candace Williams
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(11), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14110631 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 744
Abstract
Addressing the multidimensional nature of structural racism requires a cross-sectoral response. Chicago United for Equity (CUE) is an organization in Chicago, Illinois that coordinates an annual Fellowship program for individuals from diverse institutions and social systems with the goal of building their capacity [...] Read more.
Addressing the multidimensional nature of structural racism requires a cross-sectoral response. Chicago United for Equity (CUE) is an organization in Chicago, Illinois that coordinates an annual Fellowship program for individuals from diverse institutions and social systems with the goal of building their capacity to do hyperlocal racial justice and systems change work. Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health partnered with CUE to design and conduct an evaluation study to assess the impact of the Fellowship. Twenty-four individuals who completed the Fellowship participated in semi-structured interviews that explored their experiences in the Fellowship. The UIC research team conducted qualitative content analysis of the interview transcript data. We found that the CUE Fellowship influenced the Fellows and their racial justice work by providing tools and exposure to racial justice concepts, fostering valuable relationships, and expanding the thinking of participants. The fellowship influenced the Fellows and their racial justice work within and across local institutions and social systems. This study highlighted how the program helped to build a network of racial justice leaders in Chicago and Cook County that are engaging in cross-sectoral systems change efforts, an essential aspect of addressing structural racism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
17 pages, 638 KB  
Article
“Anything Would Be Easier than What We’re Doing Right Now”: Early Head Start Home Visitors’ Experiences Working Through an Environmental Crisis
by Thistle I. Elias, Ashley E. Shafer, Ashwini Chaudhari and Tammy Thomas
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090543 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Home Visitors and early childhood educators play a critical role in supporting the development of young children from low-income families in the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on service delivery dramatically impacted the professional experience of Home Visitors, presenting significant new [...] Read more.
Home Visitors and early childhood educators play a critical role in supporting the development of young children from low-income families in the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on service delivery dramatically impacted the professional experience of Home Visitors, presenting significant new challenges for this dedicated, often under-compensated workforce. An external evaluation team explored the experiences of Early Head Start Home Visitors serving six regions of a county in the mid-Atlantic region. Researchers engaged Early Head Start program partners in identifying issues and methods of investigation to help inform organizational efforts to support their staff and the families they serve. Findings include that Home Visitors experienced significant stress and mental health challenges due to the frequently shifting environment, loss of peer interactions and loss of personal boundaries due primarily to their efforts to sufficiently support families in a time of crisis. These experiences contribute to burnout and increase the chances of early care and education workers leaving the field despite a deep commitment to the work. Considerations for how to retain high-quality early childhood education workers, in particular through potential significant environmental disruptions, include the need for strong peer support networks and transparent, responsive leadership. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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16 pages, 559 KB  
Commentary
Design Justice in Action: Co-Developing an HIV and Substance Use Linkage Intervention with Young Adults Involved in the Carceral System
by Sheridan Sweet, Nicole McCaffery, Jerry Jiang, Robert W. S. Coulter, James E. Egan, Janet Myers, Martha Shumway, Marina Tolou-Shams and Emily F. Dauria
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15010055 - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 315
Abstract
To redress systemically biased approaches to health interventions and service design, it is critical that public health researchers employ frameworks that are intentional in their approach to recognizing and working against existing power structures to advance equity in public health. Design Justice represents [...] Read more.
To redress systemically biased approaches to health interventions and service design, it is critical that public health researchers employ frameworks that are intentional in their approach to recognizing and working against existing power structures to advance equity in public health. Design Justice represents an approach to design which centers marginalized people and uses collaborative design processes to address community needs and challenges. The purpose of this paper is to describe our process for applying a Design Justice framework to Project XX. Project XX is a study funded by XX designed to develop and test an eHealth-enhanced peer navigation intervention to improve engagement in substance use and HIV-related services for young adults with recent carceral system involvement. We situate the project within the theoretical foundation of Design Justice and community-engaged research, describe its development and implementation, and analyze the application of Design Justice principles from an implementation science perspective by overlaying them with Stanford University’s Center for Dissemination and Implementation’s five key dimensions of dissemination and implementation methods. We highlight successes, challenges, and lessons learned, offering recommendations to guide more equitable and inclusive approaches for future research and practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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10 pages, 220 KB  
Perspective
Structural Competency and the Medical Learning Environment—An Overdue Paradigm Shift in Medical Education
by Iman F. Hassan, Rebecca Leeds, Ijeoma Nnodim Opara, Thuy D. Bui, Sharon E. Connor, Sejal Shah and Shwetha Iyer
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(6), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14060356 - 3 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3373
Abstract
Structural competency (SC) is a framework that assists clinicians in naming and analyzing the structural drivers that fundamentally contribute to morbidity and mortality. Undergraduate and graduate medical education is grounded in the experiential learning model where trainees learn through supervised, hands-on, real-world training [...] Read more.
Structural competency (SC) is a framework that assists clinicians in naming and analyzing the structural drivers that fundamentally contribute to morbidity and mortality. Undergraduate and graduate medical education is grounded in the experiential learning model where trainees learn through supervised, hands-on, real-world training and caring for patients within hospital and clinic settings. However, our present-day clinical settings fail to create a learning environment in which SC skills can be effectively taught and operationalized. The SC framework is designed to engender praxis, but to make this move upstream, healthcare institutions and medical education leaders need to do more to adapt their learning environment. We posit five elements and associated key actions that are essential to an SC learning environment: (1) the structural analysis of institutional policies and practices; (2) academic freedom and interdisciplinary discourse; (3) redefining medical education standards and metrics; (4) collective action to drive effect change; and (5) community integration and accountability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)
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