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.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at the forefront of climate disruptions, where the effects of rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation intersect with complex demographic dynamics and health vulnerabilities. These shocks have contributed to increasing burdens of disease, disrupted health systems, food and water insecurity, and altered migration patterns — with disproportionate impacts on already marginalized populations.

This Collection seeks submissions that examine the multifaceted impacts of climate shocks on health and population dynamics in LMICs. We encourage contributions that consider the interactions between environmental stressors and demographic processes such as migration, fertility, mortality, and urbanization. Submissions focusing on the mechanisms driving disparities in exposure, health outcomes, and service access are particularly welcome.

We invite empirical, methodological, and theoretical papers that employ qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Papers centering local knowledge, community-based perspectives, and innovative approaches — such as geospatial analyses, biomarkers, or participatory methods — are strongly encouraged. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Climate-related health burdens (e.g., infectious diseases, heat stress, malnutrition)

• Population mobility and displacement linked to environmental change

• Urban-rural disparities in health access amid climate events

• The role of health systems and policy in mitigating climate-related risks

• Local adaptations and community resilience to environmental shocks

• Methodological innovations in studying health, climate, and population interactions

We welcome diverse formats including original research articles, case studies, brief reports, methodology papers, perspectives, and data notes. Contributions should clearly articulate their relevance for understanding and addressing health inequities in LMICs under climate stress.

The goal of this collection is to advance interdisciplinary dialogue and promote evidence-based responses to one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.

Keywords: Climate Shocks, Health Inequities, Migration, Demographic Change, LMICs, Resilience, Environmental Health, Mixed Methods.