Human health is increasingly shaped by the interconnected pressures of climate change, environmental degradation, and socio‑ecological disruption. These planetary‑scale changes influence not only the epidemiology of infectious diseases, but also the public health systems, social structures, and community capacities that determine exposure, vulnerability, and resilience. This Collection adopts a planetary health perspective to explore how climate variability, ecosystem disruption, and human–environment interactions affect infectious disease risks and the public health responses needed to address them.

We welcome research that examines how shifts in temperature, precipitation, humidity, extreme weather events, land‑use change, biodiversity loss, and urbanization influence pathogen ecology, transmission pathways, and population vulnerability. Beyond epidemiological patterns, the Collection seeks contributions that address preparedness, surveillance, health system resilience, risk communication, governance, and cross‑sectoral interventions aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate‑related infectious disease threats.

Studies leveraging epidemiological datasets, climate and environmental records, spatial mapping, and predictive modeling are encouraged, as are qualitative, policy‑focused, and implementation‑oriented works that illuminate barriers and opportunities within public health systems. Particular attention is given to inequities in exposure and resilience, the needs of high‑risk populations, and the role of community‑level and institutional adaptation strategies.

By integrating epidemiology, environmental science, and public health practice, this Collection aims to advance understanding of climate–disease interactions, strengthen early warning and response systems, and inform adaptive strategies that protect and promote planetary health in a rapidly changing world. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Climate‑sensitive infectious diseases and changing transmission patterns
• Impacts of extreme weather events and environmental disruption on disease risk
• Public health preparedness, surveillance, and early warning systems
• Health system resilience and climate adaptation strategies
• Socio‑ecological vulnerability, inequities, and community resilience
• Land‑use change, biodiversity loss, and zoonotic spillover
• Modeling climate, environmental, and disease interactions
• Governance, policy, and multisectoral responses to planetary health threats
• One Health and Planetary Health approaches to infectious disease prevention

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 13, Climate actions.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.

Strengthening the education and continuous professional development of public health professionals is fundamental to achieving resilient, equitable, and responsive health systems. Recent global experiences including pandemics, protracted humanitarian crises, climate-related health risks, rapid urbanization, and technological transformation have highlighted both the critical role of the public health workforce and persistent gaps in training relevance, scale, quality, and sustainability. In many settings, educational models remain insufficiently aligned with real-world system needs, emerging competencies, and evolving career pathways.

While there is growing innovation in public health education, evidence and lessons learned are dispersed across disciplines and regions. A focused supplement in the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health will provide a timely scholarly platform to consolidate high-quality research and practice-based insights.

The proposed Collection aims to advance knowledge in the education of public health professionals by:

Showcasing empirical evidence and innovative models for public health education and training

Examining how educational approaches align with health system priorities and workforce needs

Informing policy, institutional strategies, and investment in public health workforce development

Promoting equity, quality, and sustainability in public health education globally.

Scope and Thematic Areas

The supplement will invite original research articles, systematic or scoping reviews, and rigorously documented practice-based papers across the following thematic areas:

Competency-Based Public Health Education

• Core and advanced competency frameworks
• Alignment of curricula with population health needs and system priorities

Field-Based and Applied Learning Models

• Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) and similar applied training models
• Experiential learning, service-based education, and community engagement

Interprofessional and Multisectoral Education

• Collaborative training across health, social, environmental, and humanitarian sectors
• Preparing public health professionals for whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches

Digital, Blended, and Distance Learning Innovations

• Online and hybrid training models
• Use of digital platforms, simulation, and emerging technologies in education

Education for Health Emergencies and Fragile Settings

• Workforce training for outbreak preparedness, humanitarian response, and conflict settings
• Adaptive education models in fragile and resource-constrained contexts

Equity, Ethics, and Inclusion in Public Health Training

• Gender, geographic, and socioeconomic equity in access to education
• Ethical dimensions of training, mentorship, and professional advancement

Leadership, Management, and Systems Thinking

• Training for public health leadership, governance, and policy engagement
• Building managerial and strategic competencies for system-level impact

Mentorship, Supervision, and Career Pathways

• Structured mentorship and supervision models
• Transition from training to practice and career progression

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact of Public Health Education

• Methods for assessing educational outcomes and workforce impact
• Long-term sustainability and return on investment of training programs

Partnerships, Financing, and Institutionalization

• Academic–government–partner collaborations
• Financing models and institutional integration of training programs

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.