Health has traditionally been approached from biomedical and individualistic perspectives. However, the processes that shape health and illness go beyond the individual and are embedded in social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. Durkheim, Marx, and Weber, for example, provided the theoretical foundations for understanding health as a social and structural phenomenon. Parsons introduced the concept of the “sick role,” defining the normative expectations of illness in modern societies. Later scholars such as Foucault and Illich expanded this view by examining power, professional authority, and the social construction of medical knowledge. Luhmann and Beck explored the sociology of risk, which is closely related to the social dimensions of health. These perspectives show that health is a historically and socially constructed and configured reality. This Collection aims to gather research that analyzes health as a multidimensional social phenomenon, understood as the result of complex interactions between social structures, institutional practices, power relations, community dynamics, cultural imaginaries, and subjective experiences.

Objectives:

• Explore health through multidimensional approaches that integrate social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental variables.

• Foster a plural dialogue among different theoretical approaches (sociology of health, critical social theory, public health, medical anthropology, cultural studies, etc.).

• Bring together theoretical research and rigorous case studies that provide evidence and help to understand health as a collective and interdependent phenomenon.

• Promote interpretations of health that move away from biomedical reductionism, while remaining open to dialogue with that perspective.

Scope and types of contributions:

Original manuscripts that meet the following criteria will be considered:

1. A focus on the social and multidimensional interpretation of health.

2. Acceptance of different theoretical perspectives (critical, interpretative, systemic, phenomenological, etc.).

3. Manuscripts must be theoretical or theoretical–empirical, but always supported by evidence, whether qualitative, quantitative, comparative, or from systematic reviews.

4. Case studies with strong theoretical articulation will also be considered.

5. Special attention will be given to contributions that analyze health as a collective, structural, or institutional phenomenon, avoiding its reduction to individual-level variables.

6. Manuscripts that explore the multidimensionality of the factors associated with health (social determinants, inequalities, policies, subjectivities, territory, etc.) will be valued.

7. Articles related to social health or the health of the social system, in the broadest sense (institutional well-being, social cohesion, sustainability of care systems, etc.), will also be accepted.

Keywords: Social health, Multidimensionality of health, Social theory, Interpretive studies, Sociohermeneutics and sociosemiotics, Politics, Culture, Social values, Sociohistory, Collective health.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, SDG 10, and SDG 16.

In recent years, discussions about health and healthcare issues in resource-constrained settings, particularly in slum areas, have received increased attention in the global research and policy space. Of particular concern is that slum communities report poorer health outcomes, typically linked to poverty, inadequate housing, overcrowding, and insufficient nutrition. Compounding these issues is the evidence that slum communities underutilise essential healthcare services due to challenging socio-economic circumstances, including financial difficulties. Furthermore, slum communities are more vulnerable than the general population and tend to be largely excluded from healthcare discussions, which makes it challenging for them to navigate the healthcare system. This growing trend highlights the necessity to strengthen health and healthcare research in slum areas in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

However, studies on social determinants and inequalities in health and healthcare among slum communities in LMICs, especially in African countries, are limited, resulting in at least two significant implications. First, the lack of evidence to inform health policy decisions and practices aimed at improving health and healthcare utilisation in these areas could continually and adversely affect the health and wellbeing of slum communities. Second, it could further hinder the achievement of universal health coverage as outlined in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, specifically target 3.8 which aims to: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.” Given this, research on social determinants and inequalities in health and healthcare can help shape health policies and programs that address various social and economic factors contributing to disparities in health and healthcare among slum communities, while also supporting the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).This collection aims to gather evidence on social determinants and inequalities in health and healthcare in slum areas.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Health and healthcare needs of slum dwellers

2. Socio-economic and demographic groups at risk of health issues and unmet healthcare needs in slum areas

3. Social determinants of various dimensions of health (e.g., mental, physical, chronic diseases, infectious diseases, injuries, etc.) in slum areas

4. Social determinants of healthcare (e.g., formal healthcare, informal healthcare, private health facilities, public health facilities etc.) in slum areas

5. Connections between health domains and healthcare utilisation among slum communities

6. Social factors contributing to inequalities in health and healthcare utilisation among slum communities

7. Healthcare costs and funding approaches in slum areas

8.Health information-seeking behaviours in slum areas

9. Barriers to and enablers of healthcare utilisation in slum areas

10. Interventions aimed at promoting health and healthcare utilisation while reducing inequalities in health and healthcare within slum areas

We highly encourage submissions from African countries. However, research from other LMICs will also be considered based on their novelty, robustness, and strength of evidence.

Keywords:Social Determinants of Health; Social Determinants of Healthcare; Health and Healthcare Inequalities; Access to and Use of Health Services; Healthcare Costs; Health Information Seeking Behaviour; Healthcare funding approaches; Health and Healthcare Needs; Africa; Slum Areas.

This collection supports research aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.