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The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and...
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The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society

A special issue of World (ISSN 2673-4060).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2025 | Viewed by 7908

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wang-Kin Chiu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: sustainable development; health and environment; green education; systems approach; health promotion; sustainability education
Prof. Dr. Hon-Ming Lam

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
2. Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: climate-smart and sustainable agriculture; plant and agricultural biotechnology; genomic studies on crop–environment interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue “The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society” of the journal World. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations have prompted a series of research studies and initiatives aiming to move towards a sustainable society. However, global challenges such as climate change, hazardous chemical wastes and environmental pollution are still posing serious threats to public health systems and human well-being. For example, climate change has led to emerging food security and safety issues while increasing pollutions have caused significant deterioration of environmental quality, influencing human health and psychological well-being, as well as societal and economic development in a variety of ways. In recent years, tremendous efforts have been made on the development and advancement of green chemistry and technology to address the grand challenges. There have also been urgent calls for the assessment of environmental pollution caused by microplastics and its emerging effects on public health. In addition, increasing studies have investigated both direct and indirect policy measures to ensure global food security, as well as for the regulations and management of hazardous chemicals, which are essential for sustainable health systems and development. Furthermore, to move towards a sustainable society, education will play a pivotal role and research studies in the context of education for sustainable development are necessary for nurturing the next generation of future leaders to take environmental impacts into consideration in different industries and businesses.

In this Special Issue, we aim to collect high-quality studies related to sustainable health and development. Innovations across disciplines with regard to SDGs are welcomed. In particular, we welcome studies attempting to address global challenges such as climate change, hazardous chemical wastes and environmental pollution. We are also interested in contributions that provide insights on how education initiatives and practice can lead to a sustainable society. This collection of studies is expected to help formulate solutions to address the grand challenges and develop interdisciplinary research directions for advancement to a sustainable world. Empirical or review studies, as well as other acceptable article types, are welcome. Contributions may include (but are not limited to) the following themes:

  • Climate change;
  • Chemical pollution;
  • Environmental issues;
  • Education for sustainable development;
  • Food security and safety;
  • Global challenges;
  • Green chemistry and technology;
  • Green education;
  • Green initiatives;
  • Hazardous chemicals management;
  • Hazardous waste;
  • Healthcare waste;
  • Plastic pollution;
  • Pollution control;
  • Sustainable agriculture;
  • Sustainable development goals;
  • Sustainable education;
  • Sustainable health and well-being;
  • Water pollution.

Dr. Wang-Kin Chiu
Prof. Dr. Hon-Ming Lam
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. World is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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

  • climate change
  • education for sustainable development
  • food security
  • green education
  • green environment
  • green initiatives
  • chemical pollution
  • sustainability
  • sustainable health
  • sustainable society
  • systems

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1957 KiB  
Article
Did the COVID-19 Crisis Reframe Public Awareness of Environmental Topics as Humanity’s Existential Risks? A Case from the UK
by Andreas Y. Troumbis
World 2024, 5(4), 1194-1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5040061 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 481
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has not just gently nudged but forcefully thrust environmental issues into the forefront of public consciousness. This shift in awareness has been a long-time aspiration of conservation scientists, who have played a crucial role in advocating for recognizing nature’s contributions [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not just gently nudged but forcefully thrust environmental issues into the forefront of public consciousness. This shift in awareness has been a long-time aspiration of conservation scientists, who have played a crucial role in advocating for recognizing nature’s contributions to human life and a healthy environment. I explain the advantages of using newly available tools and sources of digital data, i.e., the absolute search volume in Google using the flag keywords biodiversity, climate change, and sustainability, Τhe GDELT Project, which monitors the world’s broadcast, print, and web news, and the difference-in-differences method comparing paired samples of public interest before and after the pandemic outbreak. We focus on the case of UK citizens’ public interest. Public interest in the flag keywords in the UK showed a highly significant increase during the pandemic. The results contradict hypotheses or findings presented elsewhere that the public interest is attenuated during and because of the public health crisis. I support growing public awareness of the existential risks springing from human materialism misappropriating nature, environment, and resources. In conclusion, I advocate for a “new conservation narrative” that could be fostered by the increased public interest in environmental topics during the pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society)
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16 pages, 1133 KiB  
Article
Contributions of Municipal Initiatives to Digital Health Equity
by Fernando Almeida
World 2024, 5(4), 1165-1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5040059 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 415
Abstract
Sustainable initiatives play a crucial role in promoting digital health equity by addressing barriers to access and ensuring equitable use of digital health technologies and services. These initiatives may arise in various contexts, including local collaborative networks that emerge in the municipal context. [...] Read more.
Sustainable initiatives play a crucial role in promoting digital health equity by addressing barriers to access and ensuring equitable use of digital health technologies and services. These initiatives may arise in various contexts, including local collaborative networks that emerge in the municipal context. This study aims to identify and characterize the municipal initiatives that have been developed in Portugal to promote digital health equity. It adopts a mixed methods approach to initially quantify the distribution of these projects in the Portuguese territory and, at a later stage, to understand the level of influence of these projects, considering their impact on individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. The findings identified 22 municipal sustainable initiatives and concluded that there is a strong relationship between the areas of community and individual influence. The results of this study are relevant to deepening the knowledge of bottom-up innovation in the digital health field and establishing public policies to increase the impact of these projects at the territorial level, the communities involved, and the social objectives addressed, contributing to greater social cohesion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society)
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23 pages, 2174 KiB  
Article
Decentralization Policies and Rural Socio-Economic Growth in Senegal: An Exploration of Their Contributions to Development and Transformation
by Bonoua Faye, Jeanne Colette Diéne, Guoming Du, Chang’an Liang, Yao Dinard Kouadio, Edmée Mbaye and Yuheng Li
World 2024, 5(4), 1054-1076; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5040053 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 943
Abstract
Since proclaiming independence in 1960, Senegal has faced economic and demographic imbalances across its regions. To address these disparities, the government launched decentralization policies in three major phases, aiming to stimulate socio-economic growth at the local level. This study examines the impact of [...] Read more.
Since proclaiming independence in 1960, Senegal has faced economic and demographic imbalances across its regions. To address these disparities, the government launched decentralization policies in three major phases, aiming to stimulate socio-economic growth at the local level. This study examines the impact of these policies on urban–rural development using socio-economic data between 2000 and 2020, and a multiple linear regression model in the entirety of Senegal. The findings reveal significant correlations between rural population growth, access to electricity, fertilizer availability, and per capita cultivated land, all positively associated with agricultural productivity. Additionally, rapid urbanization (47.3%) and weak land tenure (88.6%) adversely affect ecological systems and contribute to the proliferation of slums. A notable lack of health facilities per capita highlights a severe gap in healthcare accessibility. The study suggests increasing agricultural income, creating jobs, and promoting policies that support rural collective entrepreneurship as critical steps. It also recommends adopting a “one ecological zone, one economic activity” strategy to reduce economic disparities and encourage sustainable development in rural Senegal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society)
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23 pages, 3165 KiB  
Article
Can Game-Based Learning Help to Increase the Awareness of Water Management in Uganda? A Case Study for Primary and Secondary Schools
by Brian Nalumenya, Matteo Rubinato, Michael Kennedy and Jade Catterson
World 2024, 5(4), 981-1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5040050 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 956
Abstract
In the Ugandan curriculum, theoretical teaching predominates in conveying water-related topics due to its efficiency and low resource requirements. However, this teacher-centred approach limits student interaction and collaborative learning. Conversely, game-based learning can enhance social skills, critical thinking, and engagement, yet it remains [...] Read more.
In the Ugandan curriculum, theoretical teaching predominates in conveying water-related topics due to its efficiency and low resource requirements. However, this teacher-centred approach limits student interaction and collaborative learning. Conversely, game-based learning can enhance social skills, critical thinking, and engagement, yet it remains underutilised in Ugandan education. To address this gap, this study developed three educational games: Water Conservation Snakes and Ladders (WCSL), Water Awareness Quartet Cards (WAQC), and Water Pollution Puzzle (WPP). These games were implemented in four schools—three primary and one secondary—where students engaged in competitive, team-based play. The impact of these games on learning outcomes was assessed through pre- and post-test questionnaires. Descriptive and thematic analysis indicated a significant positive effect, with WAQC showing a 25% greater influence on performance than WCSL (18%) and WPP (14%). The findings also underscored the importance of age in determining game acceptability and enjoyment. To enhance education on water-related issues, it is recommended that these topics be integrated into both Science and Social Studies curricula and taught consistently across academic terms. Ultimately, the Ugandan government should consider incorporating game-based learning strategies into schools to improve student engagement and learning in water resource management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society)
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14 pages, 566 KiB  
Article
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Regarding Health and Environment in an Israeli Community: Implications for Sustainable Urban Environments and Public Health
by Keren Dopelt, Liza Aharon and Miri Rimon
World 2024, 5(3), 645-658; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5030033 - 8 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 908
Abstract
Over the past two decades, public health researchers have increasingly emphasized the need to adopt a new, comprehensive approach to the environment that addresses social and spatial aspects of urban life affecting public health in urban areas. Urban authorities can reduce environmental and [...] Read more.
Over the past two decades, public health researchers have increasingly emphasized the need to adopt a new, comprehensive approach to the environment that addresses social and spatial aspects of urban life affecting public health in urban areas. Urban authorities can reduce environmental and climate change damages by promoting green construction and clean energy production, establishing recycling stations, encouraging residents to change their consumption and eating patterns, and more. Municipal authorities in Ashkelon, Israel, like their counterparts around the world, recognize the critical importance of participating in global efforts to address the climate crisis. In this context, we conducted a survey to examine the associations between knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding health and the environment among Ashkelon residents. A total of 322 participants from the city’s adult population completed an online questionnaire. Our findings indicate that Ashkelon residents understand the connection between the environment and human behavior and have a positive attitude toward preserving the environment. However, not all the city’s residents exhibit pro-environmental behavior, and not all pro-environmental facilities are accessible to all city residents. Significant positive connections were found between knowledge, attitudes, pro-environmental behavior, and accessibility to facilities. Participants who kept pets at home demonstrated more pro-environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behavior than those who did not have pets. Strengthening positive attitudes towards the environment is essential if individuals are to acquire knowledge and understand how to maintain a healthy environment. To achieve this end, extensive public education on environmental and climate change issues is needed, and the city environment should promote a healthy lifestyle while preserving the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society)
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Review

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21 pages, 1494 KiB  
Review
Plastic and Micro/Nanoplastic Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Impacts, and Solutions
by Edith Dube and Grace Emily Okuthe
World 2024, 5(2), 325-345; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5020018 - 15 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2712
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing levels of plastic production and importation, unregulated usage, and inadequate waste management systems. This region’s harsh conditions often lead to plastic breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics. This review explores the abundance of micro/nanoplastics across different environmental mediums, such [...] Read more.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing levels of plastic production and importation, unregulated usage, and inadequate waste management systems. This region’s harsh conditions often lead to plastic breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics. This review explores the abundance of micro/nanoplastics across different environmental mediums, such as surface waters, sediments, and aquatic organisms, in sub-Saharan African countries. It also highlights knowledge gaps concerning the region’s abundance of micro/nanoplastics. The effects of plastics and micro/nanoplastics on food production, water quality, health, and the environment are discussed. Strategies to address the challenges of plastic pollution are proposed. Finally, the review concludes with future perspectives for addressing the ongoing challenges of plastic waste management in sub-Saharan Africa. The materials for this study were sourced from published articles on Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and additional platforms, including reports and various press releases, using keywords such as plastic waste, micro/nano-plastic, sub-Saharan Africa, toxicity, and circular economy. Articles were initially screened by reviewing abstracts, followed by a thorough reading of full papers to identify relevant studies. Key information was extracted from these selected articles and incorporated into this review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Transition to Sustainable Health and Development: Economic, Policy and Society)
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