Indigenous peoples, defined as the original inhabitants of lands with longstanding cultural, political, and spiritual ties that predate colonization, face unique challenges that stem from historical injustices, social marginalization, and systemic discrimination. These factors create complex environments where public health, human rights, and social justice intersect. By deepening our understanding of these challenges, we not only enrich academic discourse, but also pave the way for more effective, culturally relevant harm reduction strategies that resonate with Indigenous communities.

Significant advances have already been made in understanding the specific needs and realities of Indigenous communities concerning harm reduction. For instance, the integration of traditional healing practices with contemporary harm reduction strategies has demonstrated promising outcomes. Indigenous-led research initiatives have brought forth unique insights into the effectiveness of harm reduction programs tailored to the cultural and social contexts of Indigenous peoples. Furthermore, collaborative partnerships between Indigenous organizations and public health entities have begun to reshape policy discussions, ensuring that Indigenous voices are front and center in the formulation of harm reduction strategies.

However, there is still much work to be done. The future of this research area holds immense potential for transformative change. By continuing to explore the intricate relationships between Indigenous identities, cultural practices, and harm reduction, we can anticipate the development of innovative, community-driven programs. These programs could harness the power of Indigenous knowledge systems to inform public health approaches, fostering resilience and healing in the face of adversity. Advancements in technology may also allow for more nuanced data collection and analysis, enabling a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of Indigenous individuals and communities.

Topics of interest within this Special Collection on Indigenous communities and harm reduction include, but are not limited to:

● Traditional healing and harm reduction

● Culturally competent care

● Patterns of substance use

● Policy impacts on Indigenous health

● Collaborative research methodologies

● Historical trauma and recovery.

● Indigenous rights and harm reduction

● Community-led initiatives

● Community-based participatory research/methods

● Public health vending machines

● Stimulant use and associated harm reduction strategies

● Indigenous-led syringe services programs

● Indigenous-led models and “culture-as-healing” in harm reduction

● Sovereignty, criminalization, and decolonizing policy & practice

● Youth, kinship, and intergenerational harm reduction

● Methods/metrics: Indigenous data sovereignty, CBPR, and evaluation

● Access in rural/remote settings: SSPs, MOUD, telehealth, & mobile care.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities.

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.

The landscape of healthcare is rapidly evolving, driven by an imperative to deliver more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric services. This transformation is driven by technology advancement, global nursing staff shortages and financial constraints in medical care. Population aging itself, coupled with low fertility and pandemic of dementia and NCDs creates a huge unmet need for home-based healthcare. Partial substitution of missing human labour is about to be found in AI guided medical devices deployment at a massive scale. Artificial intelligence (AI) combined with sophisticated wearable sensors offers unprecedented opportunities for continuous monitoring, personalised interventions, early detection of health deterioration, and proactive disease management in a home setting. This integration promises not only to alleviate the strain on traditional healthcare infrastructures but also to enhance health equity by reaching diverse populations, including the elderly, those in remote areas, individuals with chronic conditions, and underserved communities.

This special issue examines the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable technologies in enabling sustainable, inclusive, and scalable models of long-term home-based healthcare. AI-enabled wearables offer promising solutions for real-time monitoring, early intervention, and personalised care delivery at home. We invite interdisciplinary submissions, from health economics and biomedical engineering to public policy and clinical practice, that explore the opportunities, challenges, and real-world applications of AI-driven wearable solutions. We are particularly interested in contributions that address how these technologies can foster sustainability by optimising resource utilisation, reducing re-admissions, and promoting long-term health outcomes, and inclusivity by ensuring equitable access, usability, and effectiveness for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, geographical location, or technological literacy.

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.