ijerph-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Social and Geographical Health Inequities in Digitally Transforming Societies

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 2369

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of New Public Health, University Osnabrück, Institute for Health Research and Education, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
Interests: health inequities; digital transformation; resources and health; health services research

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to make an innovative contribution to the study of social and geographical inequities in health in an increasingly digitalized society. It is undisputed that having a low socio-economic status and living in remote areas are associated with higher morbidity and lower life expectancy. Although numerous influencing factors have been identified and several explanatory models have been developed, a theoretical understanding - especially beyond the usual dimensions of inequality - still needs to be further developed. It is against this background that this special issue sets out to provide insights into theoretically sound and empirically innovative research findings. Three areas are of major interest for this special issue: First, a focus on the changing patterns between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of social inequality. This includes emerging social and/or health inequalities resulting from exclusion processes in digitally transforming societies. Second, papers addressing new theory developments or that have a strong theoretical background for empirical explorations are very welcome in order to contribute to the special issue. This might include current discussions in sociology, philosophy, and sustainability research. A third focus invites researchers to contribute studies from a resource-based perspective. Reaching beyond the distribution of risk factors, those papers could address issues regarding non-paternalistic interventions (applying a capability approach, for example), analysis of the living conditions of those who are in socially deprived or privileged living conditions, or a reflection on the changes in society as a whole to ensure sustainable health equity.

Manuscripts from different disciplines and methodological approaches (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) are welcome. Submissions addressing complex issues and intersectionality are highly encouraged. Ideally, theoretical contributions should indicate the implications for empirical research, and empirical studies should have a sound theoretical basis or indicate their relevance for further theory developments in this field of research.

Prof. Dr. Birgit Babitsch
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health inequity
  • social inequality
  • geographical inequality
  • intersectionality
  • resources
  • deprivation
  • social privilege
  • makro-level approaches
  • theory development

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 1689 KiB  
Article
Small-Area Geographic and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Colorectal Cancer in Cyprus
by Konstantinos Giannakou and Demetris Lamnisos
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010341 - 26 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1830
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide. To date, the relationship between regional deprivation and CRC incidence or mortality has not been studied in the population of Cyprus. The objective of this study was to analyse [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide. To date, the relationship between regional deprivation and CRC incidence or mortality has not been studied in the population of Cyprus. The objective of this study was to analyse the geographical variation of CRC incidence and mortality and its possible association with socioeconomic inequalities in Cyprus for the time period of 2000–2015. This is a small-area ecological study in Cyprus, with census tracts as units of spatial analysis. The incidence date, sex, age, postcode, primary site, death date in case of death, or last contact date of all alive CRC cases from 2000–2015 were obtained from the Cyprus Ministry of Health’s Health Monitoring Unit. Indirect standardisation was used to calculate the sex and age Standardise Incidence Ratios (SIRs) and Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) of CRC while the smoothed values of SIRs, SMRs, and Mortality to Incidence ratio (M/I ratio) were estimated using the univariate Bayesian Poisson log-linear spatial model. To evaluate the association of CRC incidence and mortality rate with socioeconomic deprivation, we included the national socioeconomic deprivation index as a covariate variable entering in the model either as a continuous variable or as a categorical variable representing quartiles of areas with increasing levels of socioeconomic deprivation. The results showed that there are geographical areas having 15% higher SIR and SMR, with most of those areas located on the east coast of the island. We found higher M/I ratio values in the rural, remote, and less dense areas of the island, while lower rates were observed in the metropolitan areas. We also discovered an inverted U-shape pattern in CRC incidence and mortality with higher rates in the areas classified in the second quartile (Q2-areas) of the socioeconomic deprivation index and lower rates in rural, remote, and less dense areas (Q4-areas). These findings provide useful information at local and national levels and inform decisions about resource allocation to geographically targeted prevention and control plans to increase CRC screening and management. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop