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.

The nexus of psychological health and societal acceptance within the context of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) constitutes a profoundly intricate and critically significant field of research. Despite monumental advancements in antiretroviral therapies, the persistent mental health challenges faced by PLHIV including chronic psychological distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and internalized stigma remain grossly under-addressed. These unresolved issues not only perpetuate a cycle of marginalization but also amplify barriers to effective health outcomes and psychosocial integration.

This Collection solicits original, high-caliber contributions that investigate the multifaceted psychological experiences of PLHIV, scrutinizing how both intra- and interpersonal acceptance—encompassing self-acceptance and societal inclusion interact to shape mental health trajectories. We are particularly interested in rigorous studies that elucidate the intricate dynamics of HIV-related stigma, resilience mechanisms, coping strategies, and the psychosocial impacts of living with a chronic, stigmatized condition.

We encourage scholarly inquiries into evidence-based interventions, clinical frameworks, and public health policies aimed at enhancing the psychological resilience of PLHIV. Contributions should also address the evolving role of community-based support networks and institutional systems in mitigating the psychosocial burdens faced by this population. By offering a multifactorial perspective on these issues, this collection seeks to catalyze transformative discussions that inform best practices, advocacy, and global policy initiatives focused on improving the mental health outcomes and societal acceptance of PLHIV.

Keywords: Mental Health Disparities, HIV-Related Stigma, Psychological Resilience, Coping Mechanisms and Strategies, Social Integration and Acceptance, HIV Mental Health Interventions, Psychosocial Impact of HIV, Public Health Policy and Advocacy, Social Support Systems for PLHIV, Self-Acceptance and Identity in HIV.