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Health Inequalities in Urban Areas—Factors, Processes, and Dynamics
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Health Inequalities in Urban Areas—Factors, Processes, and Dynamics

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 8215

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luzia Gonçalves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Nova Lisboa, R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
2. Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: biostatistics; bayesian statistics, population health; health inequalities; urban planning and health
Dr. Inês Campos-Matos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK
2. Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG, UK
Interests: migrant health; inclusion health; health inequalities; infectious disease surveillance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we aim to bring innovative and integrated approaches addressing the multidimensional nature of health inequalities in urban areas, highlighting factors, processes, and dynamics that foster these inequalities.

In addition to our genes and lifestyles, where we are born, grow, live, work, and become older influence our health. In the last centuries, a large proportion of the world’s population has been attracted to cities, seeking better job opportunities, services, and living conditions. Due to factors such as better infrastructure, cities can offer better healthcare services, but the quality and accessibility of these services vary between and within cities. In urban areas, some subpopulations suffer disproportionately from a wide range of diseases and health problems, creating complex health inequalities. These need to be addressed specifically due to their magnitude, distribution, and complex nature. Health inequalities between deprived neighbourhoods and affluent neighbourhoods are well-documented in some cities of high-income countries, but there are still large data gaps in other urban settings, for example, in low- and middle-income countries. The dynamic and transformative nature of cities imposes continuous monitoring of health inequalities. Worldwide, a large amount of work is ongoing through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the interconnected goals SDG-3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all), SDG-10 (reduced inequalities), and SDG-11 (sustainable cities and communities) which promise new data, approaches, and debate, enriching the research on several related topics.

We invite you to submit articles on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Factors, processes, and dynamics of inequalities
  • Intra- and interurban inequalities
  • Multidimensional urban inequalities
  • Social, physical, and built environments and health
  • Social vulnerabilities and natural hazards
  • Neighbourhood-level health determinants and inequalities
  • Healthcare infrastructures and healthcare access
  • Urban planning for healthier cities
  • Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches
  • Qualitative and quantitative approaches to measure health inequalities
  • Spatial and temporal analyses
  • Community-based health programmes
  • Polices, programmes, and governance for urban health

Prof. Dr. Luzia Gonçalves
Dr. Inês Campos-Matos
Guest Editors

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 inequality
  • health inequity
  • urban health
  • built environment
  • urban planning
  • urban settings
  • informal settlements
  • social determinants
  • poverty

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2135 KiB  
Article
Recreation and Alcohol Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa: Addressing Gender and Age Differences in Urban Areas—Praia, Cabo Verde
by Daniela Alves, António Pedro Delgado, Miguel Amado, Isabel Craveiro, Zélia Santos, Alexander Goggins, Carolina Gasparinho, Artur Correia and Luzia Gonçalves
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11175; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191811175 - 06 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1306
Abstract
Background: Reducing alcohol consumption and improving urban planning in African cities are public health priorities. The aim of this study was to explore gender and age differences in recreational activity participation and its link with self-reported alcohol consumption in three urban areas of [...] Read more.
Background: Reducing alcohol consumption and improving urban planning in African cities are public health priorities. The aim of this study was to explore gender and age differences in recreational activity participation and its link with self-reported alcohol consumption in three urban areas of Praia. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to a probabilistic sample of 1912 adults, with a median age of 35.0 (IQR: 26.0–48.8) years, living in informal, transition, and formal areas of the capital of Cabo Verde. Results: More than 80% of the participants reported rarely or never participating in recreational activities. Going daily or weekly to the café was the most reported recreational activity, regardless of the urban area. Participation in recreational activities was higher in men than women, decreasing with age in both cases. Alcohol consumption was significantly higher in men than women (72.4% versus 47.4%, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression models showed that going at least once to the bar/nightclub (for men and women) and going to the café (for women) were associated with alcohol consumption. Furthermore, age (for women), in a protective way, and having children (for men) appeared to be associated with alcohol consumption. Conclusions: This study provides new data on the recreational environment in Praia and can contribute to the development of local and national public health policies and interventions in line with several SDGs to reduce alcohol consumption, enhance healthy leisure/recreation practices, and promote better living conditions for its inhabitants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Inequalities in Urban Areas—Factors, Processes, and Dynamics)
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12 pages, 383 KiB  
Article
Modelling Maternal Depression: An Agent-Based Model to Examine the Complex Relationship between Relative Income and Depression
by Claire Benny, Shelby Yamamoto, Sheila McDonald, Radha Chari and Roman Pabayo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4208; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19074208 - 01 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
Depression is a major public health concern among expectant mothers in Canada. Income inequality has been linked to depression, so interventions for reducing income inequality may reduce the prevalence of maternal depression. The current study aims to simulate the effects of government transfers [...] Read more.
Depression is a major public health concern among expectant mothers in Canada. Income inequality has been linked to depression, so interventions for reducing income inequality may reduce the prevalence of maternal depression. The current study aims to simulate the effects of government transfers and increases to minimum wage on depression in mothers. We used agent-based modelling techniques to identify the predicted effects of income inequality reducing programs on maternal depression. Model parameters were identified using the All Our Families cohort dataset and the existing literature. The mean age of our sample was 30 years. The sample was also predominantly white (78.6%) and had at least some post-secondary education (89.1%). When income was increased by just simulating an increase in minimum wage, the proportion of depressed mothers decreased by 2.9% (p < 0.005). Likewise, simulating the Canada Child Benefit resulted in a 5.0% decrease in the prevalence of depression (p < 0.001) and Ontario’s Universal Basic Income pilot project resulted in a simulated 5.6% decrease in the prevalence of depression (p < 0.001). We also assessed simulated changes to the mother’s social networks. Progressive income policies and increasing social networks are predicted to decrease the probability of depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Inequalities in Urban Areas—Factors, Processes, and Dynamics)
21 pages, 1208 KiB  
Article
Tuberculosis and Migrant Pathways in an Urban Setting: A Mixed-Method Case Study on a Treatment Centre in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal
by Rafaela M. Ribeiro, Luzia Gonçalves, Philip J. Havik and Isabel Craveiro
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3834; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19073834 - 23 Mar 2022
Viewed by 2028
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease associated with poverty. In the European Union TB tends to concentrate in urban settings. In Lisbon, previous studies revealed, the presence of migrant populations from a high endemic country, is one of the risk factors contributing to [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease associated with poverty. In the European Union TB tends to concentrate in urban settings. In Lisbon, previous studies revealed, the presence of migrant populations from a high endemic country, is one of the risk factors contributing to TB. To better understand TB in foreign-born individuals in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, a mixed-method case study was undertaken on a TB treatment centre in a high-risk part of urban Portugal. Quantitatively, annual TB cases were analysed from 2008 to 2018, dividing foreign-origin cases into recent migrants and long-term migrants. Qualitatively, we explored recent migrants’ reasons, experiences and perceptions associated with the disease. Our results showed that foreign-born individuals accounted for 45.7% of cases, mainly originated from Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Cabo Verde. TB in recent migrants increased over the years for Angola and Guinea-Bissau, while for Cabo Verde TB cases were due to migrants residing in Portugal for more than 2 years. Recent migrants’ reasons to travel to Portugal were to study, to live and work, tourism, and seeking better healthcare. Visiting family and friends, historical links and common language were key drivers for the choice of country. Recent migrants and long-term migrants may present distinct background profiles associated with diagnosed TB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Inequalities in Urban Areas—Factors, Processes, and Dynamics)
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13 pages, 3827 KiB  
Article
Access to Healthcare Facilities and Women’s Healthcare Requirements in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Beijing
by Yingyi Zhang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3709; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19063709 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
Access to healthcare facilities is an essential measure of the urban development of contemporary cities. Governments often budget huge sums to fulfill the healthcare demands of the population, however neglect to address requirements specific to women. This paper assesses the density, spatial distribution, [...] Read more.
Access to healthcare facilities is an essential measure of the urban development of contemporary cities. Governments often budget huge sums to fulfill the healthcare demands of the population, however neglect to address requirements specific to women. This paper assesses the density, spatial distribution, and services of healthcare facilities to identify care requirements specific to women, and how their needs are—or could be—met. The analysis addresses the research question: What strategies will improve women’s access to healthcare and satisfy their healthcare requirements? Methods include a case study in the Yuetan Area of Beijing, field investigation, mapping, and questionnaires. The survey was carried out in November 2021 and January 2022 and involved 462 women residents in the Yuetan Area. Results indicate: (i) that, despite the total number of facilities meeting the standards recommended by the WHO, the spatial distribution of healthcare facilities is imbalanced; (ii) women’s healthcare encompasses both physical and psychological health. Optimizing accessibility to healthcare facilities can positively impact women’s health and well-being. Conclusions include insights regarding the relationship between access to healthcare facilities women’s healthcare requirements, as well as proposing strategies for improved healthcare facilities with a focus on an equitable and sympathetic society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Inequalities in Urban Areas—Factors, Processes, and Dynamics)
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