The topic of technology's impact on physical and mental health is of global interest because it touches nearly every aspect of modern life. In today's digital age, technology has transformed how we live, work, and interact, offering unprecedented convenience and opportunities. However, it also introduces significant challenges to our well-being. Physical health issues, such as sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen exposure, and sleep disruption, are linked to obesity, cardiovascular problems, musculoskeletal disorders, and chronic diseases. On the mental health front, digital addiction can lead to anxiety, stress, social isolation, and depression. These challenges are not confined to any single region or demographic—they affect individuals worldwide, making this a universal concern.

The global relevance of this issue is further underscored by alarming health statistics. Meta-analyses show that over one-third of adults experience multimorbidity, and one-fourth report mental health symptoms globally. The pervasive nature of digital connectivity exacerbates these problems, with information overload contributing to heightened stress and anxiety. Social media, while enabling connections, often fosters unhealthy comparisons and low self-esteem. Additionally, the anonymity of online interactions can lead to cyberbullying, further harming mental health.

Excessive screen time also poses significant physical health risks. Prolonged exposure to blue light disrupts sleep patterns, leading to conditions like "blue light syndrome," while sedentary behaviors associated with device use negatively impact physical fitness and overall health. These trends influence broader lifestyle behaviors, including diet, physical activity, and substance use, highlighting the urgent need for preventive measures and public health interventions.

Despite these challenges, technology also offers innovative solutions to support physical and mental health. Apps and online platforms provide accessible resources for therapy, peer support, and mental health education, empowering individuals with coping strategies and fostering community connections. However, data-driven research is essential to inform policies and create supportive environments that promote well-being in a tech-driven world.

Achieving a balanced approach to technology use is crucial for thriving in this interconnected world. By adopting mindful digital habits and embracing digital well-being, individuals can harness the benefits of technology without compromising their health. This collection of articles will explore the complex interplay of challenges and opportunities that technology presents, offering insights to help readers navigate and maintain a healthier, more balanced digital lifestyle. The discussion aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which emphasizes good health and well-being, underscoring the global importance of addressing these issues to create a healthier future for all.

Keywords: Sedentary Lifestyle; Sleep Disruption; Obesity; Cardiovascular issues; Musculoskeletal problems; Chronic diseases; Social Isolation; Digital Addiction; Depression; Anxiety and Stress; Sustainable Development Goal 3.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3.

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.