This collection invites submissions that critically examine the intersections between political determinants and health outcomes, with a focus on understanding how policies and political forces shape health systems and contribute to health inequities globally. We encourage research that adopts a transdisciplinary approach, analyzing political determinants often overlooked in public health discourse, such as war, sanctions, legislative restrictions, and other socio-political factors that, though external to healthcare systems, disrupt healthcare access and destabilize health infrastructure. These forces often precipitate public health emergencies, leading to humanitarian crises, shortages of essential medicines, and compromised health services.

Submissions may explore the lived experiences of scholars addressing politically sensitive health topics, examining how repression and professional risks impact knowledge production, mental and physical well-being, and the broader goals of equity and justice in global health research. The collection aims to question the limitations of existing frameworks, such as humanitarian and human rights lenses, and to promote community-centered approaches for addressing social and health inequities. We invite work that applies an intersectional perspective, focusing on how structural power dynamics shape health outcomes across social identities and exploring historical and contemporary examples of community-rooted resistance against forces driving inequity.

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

1. Impacts of political forces (e.g., colonialism, war, sanctions, genocide) on health systems and public health outcomes.

2. Experiences of repression, censorship, and erasure in health scholarship on political determinants.

3. Inequities in humanitarian aid, research funding, and platforms for health and social justice discourse.

4. Health outcomes among refugees and displaced populations affected by political crises.

5. Challenges in public health surveillance during political and public health crises.

6. Community-centered policies and interventions addressing health inequities.

7. Comparative analyses of humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and targeted destruction of health infrastructure.

8. Intersectional perspectives on health needs in marginalized communities affected by political conflict.

9. Public health and legal responses in politically unstable regions (e.g., Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, United States).

10. The role of international organizations in communities during political instability.

11. Exploring political determinants beyond healthcare (e.g., transportation, education) and their impact on health outcomes.

We welcome submissions that provide original qualitative and/or quantitative research, theoretical frameworks, case studies, and personal narratives that contribute to a deeper understanding of these critical issues. Submissions from transdisciplinary fields are especially encouraged, including (but not limited to) medicine, behavioral and social sciences, sociology, psychology, gender studies, refugee and migration health, epidemiology and data science, development studies, law and political science, history, humanities, economics, geography, and literature. These and other cross-cutting disciplines are issues of public health and play a vital role in advancing knowledge and science of public health.

Keywords:Health Emergencies, Structural/Social/Political Determinants of Health, Erasure, Censorship, War, Interventions, Genocide, Humanitarian Crisis, Transnationalism, Epistemology.

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.