Environmental Drivers of Chronic Disease: From Population Landscapes to Molecular Mechanisms

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Toxicology and Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 22 May 2026 | Viewed by 34

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: air pollution; persistent organic pollutants; human health risk assessment; environmental epidemiology; aging-related diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
Interests: health effects of air pollution and underlying mechanisms
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
Interests: environmental epidemiology; genetic epidemiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the epidemiology of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and their connections with a range of environmental factors. Among these, indoor and outdoor air pollution, meteorological conditions and light pollution are of particular interest. We also examine how these relationships are modified by socioeconomic status and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as active and passive smoking, as well as the role of gene–environment interactions in disease development. In addition to epidemiological investigations, this issue welcomes studies that delve into potential biological mechanisms underlying environment-related health impairments. Research focusing on oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and other pathways through which air pollutants exert adverse effects will be highly valued. By integrating both population-based and mechanistic evidence, we aim to build a multidimensional understanding of how environmental exposures contribute to chronic disease burden.

Ultimately, this collection seeks to provide a robust scientific foundation for the creation of healthier living environments and to support medical practitioners in addressing the clinical challenges posed by ambient pollution. We hope the findings presented will inform public health strategies, inspire targeted interventions and promote both environmental and individual health resilience.

Dr. Jian Hou
Prof. Dr. Weidong Wu
Dr. Yanjun Guo
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 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. Toxics 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 2600 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

  • environmental epidemiology
  • chronic non-communicable diseases
  • gene–environment interaction
  • gut microbiota
  • oxidative stress
  • human health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop