public health related topics for research

151+ Public Health Research Topics [Updated 2024]

The important area of public health research is essential to forming laws, influencing medical procedures, and eventually enhancing community well-being. As we delve into the vast landscape of public health research topics, it’s essential to understand the profound impact they have on society.

This blog aims to provide a comprehensive guide to selecting and understanding the diverse array of public health research topics.

Overview of Public Health Research Topics

Table of Contents

Public health research encompasses a wide range of subjects, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. From epidemiology and health policy to environmental health and infectious diseases, researchers navigate through various dimensions to address complex health challenges.

Each category holds its own significance, contributing to the overall understanding of public health dynamics.

Key Considerations in Selecting Public Health Research Topics

Current Relevance: Assess the timeliness of potential topics by considering recent health trends, emerging issues, and societal concerns.
Impact on Public Health: Evaluate the potential impact of the research on improving health outcomes, addressing disparities, or influencing policy and interventions.
Feasibility and Resources: Gauge the practicality of conducting research on a particular topic, considering available resources, data accessibility, and research infrastructure.
Ethical Considerations: Scrutinize the ethical implications of the research, ensuring it aligns with ethical standards and guidelines, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations or sensitive topics.

Top 151+ Public Health Research Topics

Epidemiology.

The Impact of Social Determinants on Disease Outcomes
Patterns and Trends in Emerging Infectious Diseases
Investigating Health Disparities among Different Ethnic Groups
Childhood Obesity and its Long-Term Health Consequences
Assessing the Effectiveness of Contact Tracing in Disease Control

Health Policy

Universal Healthcare: Comparative Analysis of Global Models
The Role of Telemedicine in Improving Healthcare Access
Evaluating Mental Health Policies and Their Impact on Communities
Assessing the Impact of Affordable Care Act on Public Health
Vaccine Policies and Public Perception: A Comprehensive Study

Environmental Health

Climate Change and Health: Adapting to the Challenges
Air Quality and Respiratory Health in Urban Environments
Waterborne Diseases and Strategies for Safe Water Supply
Occupational Health Hazards: A Comprehensive Workplace Analysis
The Impact of Green Spaces on Mental Health in Urban Areas

Infectious Diseases

Antimicrobial Resistance: Strategies for Mitigation
Vaccination Strategies and Herd Immunity
Global Health Security: Preparedness for Pandemics
The Impact of Vector-Borne Diseases on Public Health
Emerging Trends in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Chronic Diseases

Lifestyle Interventions for Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases
Genetic Factors in the Development of Cancer: A Comprehensive Study
Aging and Health: Addressing the Healthcare Needs of the Elderly
Diabetes Prevention Programs: Efficacy and Implementation
Mental Health in Chronic Disease Patients: Bridging the Gap

Maternal and Child Health

Maternal Mortality: Understanding Causes and Prevention
The Impact of Breastfeeding on Infant Health and Development
Childhood Immunization: Barriers and Strategies for Improvement
Teenage Pregnancy and Its Long-Term Health Consequences
Mental Health Support for Postpartum Women: Current Gaps and Solutions

Health Behavior and Promotion

Smoking Cessation Programs: Effectiveness and Challenges
Physical Activity Promotion in Schools: Strategies for Success
Nutrition Education and Its Impact on Healthy Eating Habits
Mental Health Awareness Campaigns: Assessing Public Perceptions
The Role of Social Media in Health Promotion

Global Health

Assessing the Impact of International Aid on Global Health
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programs in Developing Countries
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Global Health
Communicable Disease Control in Refugee Populations
Global Access to Essential Medicines: Challenges and Solutions

Community Health

Community-Based Participatory Research: Best Practices and Challenges
The Impact of Community Health Workers on Health Outcomes
Health Literacy and its Relationship to Health Disparities
Assessing the Effectiveness of Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions
Community Resilience in the Face of Public Health Crises

Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

Hospital-Acquired Infections: Strategies for Prevention
Patient Safety Culture in Healthcare Organizations
Quality Improvement Initiatives in Primary Care Settings
Healthcare Accreditation: Impact on Patient Outcomes
Implementing Electronic Health Records: Challenges and Benefits

Mental Health

Stigma Reduction Programs for Mental Health Disorders
Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care Settings
The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Long-Term Implications
Mental Health in the Workplace: Strategies for Employee Well-being
Suicide Prevention Programs: Effectiveness and Outreach

Health Disparities

Racial Disparities in Healthcare: Addressing Systemic Inequities
LGBTQ+ Health Disparities and Inclusive Healthcare Practices
Socioeconomic Status and Access to Healthcare Services
Geographical Disparities in Health: Rural vs. Urban
The Impact of Gender on Health Outcomes and Access to Care

Public Health Education

Evaluation of Public Health Education Programs
Innovative Approaches to Teaching Public Health Concepts
Online Health Education Platforms: Opportunities and Challenges
Interdisciplinary Training in Public Health: Bridging Gaps
Continuing Education for Public Health Professionals: Current Landscape

Digital Health

The Role of Wearable Devices in Health Monitoring
Telehealth Adoption: Barriers and Opportunities
Health Apps for Chronic Disease Management: User Perspectives
Blockchain Technology in Healthcare: Privacy and Security Implications
Artificial Intelligence in Disease Diagnosis and Prediction

Health Economics

Cost-Effectiveness of Preventive Health Interventions
The Impact of Healthcare Financing Models on Access to Care
Pharmaceutical Pricing and Access to Essential Medicines
Economic Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs
Health Insurance Coverage and Health Outcomes: A Global Perspective

Innovations in Public Health

3D Printing in Healthcare: Applications and Future Prospects
Gene Editing Technologies and their Ethical Implications
Smart Cities and Public Health: Integrating Technology for Well-being
Nanotechnology in Medicine: Potential for Disease Treatment
The Role of Drones in Public Health: Surveillance and Intervention

Food Safety and Nutrition

Foodborne Illness Outbreaks: Investigating Causes and Prevention
Sustainable Food Systems: Implications for Public Health
Nutritional Interventions for Malnutrition in Developing Countries
Food Labeling and Consumer Understanding: A Critical Review
The Impact of Fast Food Consumption on Public Health

Substance Abuse

Opioid Epidemic: Strategies for Prevention and Treatment
Harm Reduction Approaches in Substance Abuse Programs
Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Public Health Outcomes
Smoking and Mental Health: Exploring the Connection
Novel Psychoactive Substances: Emerging Threats and Strategies

Occupational Health

Workplace Stress and Mental Health: Intervention Strategies
Occupational Hazards in Healthcare Professions: A Comparative Analysis
Ergonomics in the Workplace: Improving Worker Health and Productivity
Night Shift Work and Health Consequences: Addressing Challenges
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: A Global Overview

Disaster Preparedness and Response

Pandemic Preparedness and Lessons from COVID-19
Natural Disasters and Mental Health: Post-Traumatic Stress
Emergency Response Systems: Improving Timeliness and Efficiency
Communicating Health Risks During Emergencies: Public Perception
Collaborative Approaches to Disaster Response in Global Health

Cancer Research

Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Current Advancements
Cancer Screening Programs: Efficacy and Challenges
Environmental Factors and Cancer Risk: Exploring Connections
Survivorship Care Plans: Enhancing Quality of Life after Cancer
Integrative Therapies in Cancer Care: Complementary Approaches

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Access to Contraception in Developing Countries: Challenges and Solutions
Comprehensive Sex Education Programs: Impact on Teen Pregnancy
Reproductive Health Rights: Global Perspectives and Challenges
Infertility Treatment: Ethical Considerations and Societal Impact
Maternal and Child Health in Conflict Zones: Addressing Challenges

Cardiovascular Health

Hypertension Prevention Programs: Strategies and Effectiveness
Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Gender-Specific Risk Factors
Innovations in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
Artificial Heart Technology: Advancements and Ethical Implications
Impact of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health: A Global Concern

Social Determinants of Health

Educational Attainment and Health Outcomes: Exploring Links
Income Inequality and its Impact on Population Health
Social Support Networks and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Study
Neighborhood Environments and Health Disparities
Employment and Health: The Interplay of Work and Well-being

Genomics and Public Health

Population Genomics and its Implications for Public Health
Genetic Counseling and Education: Empowering Individuals and Families
Ethical Issues in Genetic Research: Privacy and Informed Consent
Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring Drug Therapies to Individual Genotypes
Gene-Environment Interactions in Disease Risk: Unraveling Complexities

Public Health Ethics

Informed Consent in Public Health Research: Current Practices
Ethical Challenges in Global Health Research: Balancing Priorities
Confidentiality in Public Health Reporting: Striking the Right Balance
Research with Vulnerable Populations: Ethical Considerations
Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in Healthcare

Health Communication

The Role of Media in Shaping Public Health Perceptions
Health Literacy Interventions: Improving Understanding of Health Information
Social Media Campaigns for Public Health Promotion: Best Practices
Tailoring Health Messages for Diverse Audiences: Cultural Competency
Risk Communication in Public Health Emergencies: Lessons Learned

Nutrigenomics

Personalized Nutrition Plans based on Genetic Makeup
Impact of Nutrigenomics on Chronic Disease Prevention
Ethical Considerations in Nutrigenomics Research
Public Perceptions of Nutrigenomic Testing: A Qualitative Study
Integrating Nutrigenomics into Public Health Policies

Public Health and Artificial Intelligence

Predictive Analytics in Disease Surveillance: Harnessing AI for Early Detection
Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven Health Decision Support Systems
Machine Learning in Epidemiology: Predicting Disease Outbreaks
Natural Language Processing in Public Health: Text Mining for Insights
Bias in AI Algorithms: Implications for Health Equity

Health Disparities in Aging

Geriatric Health Disparities: Bridging the Gap in Elderly Care
Ageism in Healthcare: Addressing Stereotypes and Discrimination
Social Isolation and Health Consequences in Aging Populations
Access to Palliative Care for Older Adults: A Global Perspective
Alzheimer’s Disease and Ethnic Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment
Loneliness and Mental Health in the Elderly: Interventions and Support

Research Methodologies in Public Health

Public health research employs various methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Each method brings its own strengths to the research process, allowing researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues they investigate.

Community-based participatory research is another valuable approach, emphasizing collaboration with communities to address their specific health concerns.

Challenges and Opportunities in Public Health Research

While public health research is immensely rewarding, it comes with its own set of challenges. Funding constraints, ethical dilemmas, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of technology pose both obstacles and opportunities.

Researchers must navigate these challenges to ensure their work has a meaningful impact on public health.

In conclusion, public health research topics are diverse and dynamic, reflecting the complex nature of the field. As researchers embark on their journeys, they must carefully consider the relevance, impact, and ethical implications of their chosen topics.

The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of public health research positions it as a powerful tool in addressing the health challenges of our time. By exploring the depths of these topics, researchers contribute to the collective effort to build healthier and more equitable communities.

As we move forward, a continued exploration of relevant public health research topics is essential for shaping the future of healthcare and improving the well-being of populations worldwide.

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What are the trending topics in Public Health and related disciplines?

You can identify some of the most discussed and influential topics with the help of Altmetric attention scores, which take into account several outlets including social media, news articles, and policy documents.

Drawing from a selection of Public Health and Medicine journals, we have compiled a list of the articles that have been mentioned the most over the past few months.

Discover the articles that are trending right now, and catch up on current topics in Public Health and related disciplines. We will update our collection every few weeks; come back to this page to be on top of the latest conversations in Public Health and Medicine. Previously featured articles are listed here .

You can also sign up for e-alerts to make sure you never miss the latest research from our journals.

*Last updated October 2021*

Age and Ageing

Alcohol and alcoholism, american journal of epidemiology, annals of work exposures and health, epidemiologic reviews, european journal of public health, family practice, health education research, health policy and planning, health promotion international, international health, international journal of epidemiology, international journal for quality in health care, journal of public health, journal of travel medicine, journal of tropical pediatrics, nicotine & tobacco research, transactions of the royal society of tropical medicine & hygiene, behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity in hospitalised patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

There is moderate-certainty evidence that behaviour change interventions are associated with increased physical activity levels among older hospitalised patients.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Canadian Nationally Representative Survey

This study from Canada found that one in three young adults with ADHD had a lifetime alcohol use disorder, and that young adults with ADHD were also three times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Targeted outreach and interventions for this extremely vulnerable population are warranted.

Expiring Eviction Moratoriums and COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality

According to this study, resuming evictions in summer 2020 was associated with increased COVID-19 incidence and mortality in US states, with an estimated 433,700 excess cases and 10,700 excess deaths. Explore more research on COVID-19 in a curated collection from the AJE: https://academic.oup.com/aje/pages/covid-19

The Development of a Covid-19 Control Measures Risk Matrix for Occupational Hygiene Protective Measures

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) developed a control banding matrix for employers and others to help assess the risks of COVID-19 infection, and calls for further work to validate the reliability of the tool. Browse the Annals' collection on occupational hygiene for virus protection: https://academic.oup.com/annweh/pages/covid-19

Immunization to Protect the US Armed Forces: Heritage, Current Practice, and Prospects

In 1777, George Washington ordered a mandatory inoculation program for his troops, in what would become the first mass immunization mandate in the US. This archival article discussess and contextualizes immunization practices for US Armed Forces.

Does face mask use elicit risk-compensation? Quasi-experimental evidence from Denmark during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Responding to concerns that that face mask use could elicit a false sense of security and lead to riskier behaviours, this study from Denmark found that mask use overall correlated positively with protective behaviours.

Evidence reversals in primary care research: a study of randomized controlled trials

While medical practice is often undermined by subsequent investigation, randomized trials relevant to primary care generally hold up over time.

Social media influencers can be used to deliver positive information about the flu vaccine: findings from a multi-year study

This study shows the potential for using social media influencers to inspire positive engagements on pro-vaccine health messaging. For more content on accurate information's importance for public health, browse the latest article collection from HER: https://academic.oup.com/her/pages/covid-19

COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plans from 106 countries: a review from a health systems resilience perspective

Current emergency response planning does not have adequate coverage to maintain health systems functionality for essential health service delivery alongside emergency-specific interventions and healthcare. The findings from this study can help align health emergency planning with broader population health needs.

Rise and demise: a case study of public health nutrition in Queensland, Australia, over three decades

This case study shows that that ongoing efforts are needed to improve sustainability of nutrition policy and programmes to address all diet-related diseases.

Institutional and behaviour-change interventions to support COVID-19 public health measures: a review by the Lancet Commission Task Force on public health measures to suppress the pandemic

This review article outlines evidence for a range of institutional measures and behaviour-change measures, and highlights research and knowledge gaps.

Quantifying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through life-expectancy losses: a population-level study of 29 countries

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered significant mortality increases in 2020 of a magnitude not witnessed since World War II in Western Europe or the breakup of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe.

Gender in the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) Checklist

The authors propose an update to the Equator’s Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity.

Rate of reinfections after SARS-CoV-2 primary infection in the population of an Italian province: a cohort study

This study confirms previous findings on a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. If confirmed, these findings suggest that more targeted restriction policies can be applied to the subjects that recovered after a first infection. Read highly cited papers on COVID-19 from the Journal of Public Health: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/pages/covid-19

The reproductive number of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 is far higher compared to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus

Given the Delta variant's high reproductive number associated with higher transmissibility, in a context of globally still low vaccine coverage rates and lower vaccine effectiveness, public health and social measures will need to be substantially strengthened. A high reproductive number also means that much higher vaccine coverage rates need to be achieved compared to the originally assumed.

Neurological Complications of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Neurological complications are rare in children suffering from COVID-19. Still, these children are at risk of developing seizures and encephalopathy, more in those suffering from severe illness.

Reactions to Sales Restrictions on Flavored Vape Products or All Vape Products Among Young Adults in the United States

The researchers examined support for and perceived impact of e-cigarette sales restrictions. Findings suggest that bans on flavored vape products could have a positive impact on lower-risk users, but that other young adult user subgroups may not experience benefit.

Covid-19 and Health at Work

An editorial from the earlier stages of the pandemic highlights the importance of properly fitted respirators for worker safety and outlines occupational hygiene measures.

Lessons from the field: delivering trachoma mass drug administration safely in a COVID-19 context

Guidelines for safe mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases were developed in a COVID-19 context; training and implementation were assessed through an observation checklist.

For more research on the impact of COVID-19 on NTDs, explore the March 2021 special issue: https://academic.oup.com/trstmh/issue/115/3

Previously featured

Age and frailty are independently associated with increased COVID-19 mortality and increased care needs in survivors: results of an international multi-centre study

Trajectories of Alcohol Use and Related Harms for Managed Alcohol Program Participants over 12 Months Compared with Local Controls: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Estimating the Effect of Social Distancing Interventions on COVID-19 in the United States

Selecting Controls for Minimizing SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in Workplaces and Conserving Respiratory Protective Equipment Supplies

What Do We Know About the Association Between Firearm Legislation and Firearm-Related Injuries?

Denialism: what is it and how should scientists respond?

Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms

The effect of falsely balanced reporting of the autism–vaccine controversy on vaccine safety perceptions and behavioral intentions

Climate change: an urgent priority for health policy and systems research

Power, control, communities and health inequalities I: theories, concepts and analytical frameworks

Research ethics in context: understanding the vulnerabilities, agency and resourcefulness of research participants living along the Thai–Myanmar border

Tobacco smoking and mortality among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in Australia

Quality and safety in the time of Coronavirus: design better, learn faster

Years of life lost associated with COVID-19 deaths in the United States

In-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a review of the attack rates and available data on the efficacy of face masks

Stability of the Initial Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by DSM-5 in Children: A Short-Term Follow-Up Study

Impact of Tobacco Smoking on the Risk of COVID-19: A Large Scale Retrospective Cohort Study

Mental health of staff working in intensive care during COVID-19

The benefits and costs of social distancing in high- and low-income countries

A classification tree to assist with routine scoring of the Clinical Frailty Scale

Recent Advances in the Potential of Positive Allosteric Modulators of the GABAB Receptor to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder

The recent oubreak of smallpox in Meschede, West Germany

Your Hair or Your Service: An Issue of Faith for Sikh Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emerging Infections: Pandemic Influenza

Identifying the views of adolescents in five European countries on the drivers of obesity using group model building

Novel multi-virus rapid respiratory microbiological point-of-care testing in primary care: a mixed-methods feasibility evaluation

Public health crisis in the refugee community: little change in social determinants of health preserve health disparities

In search of ‘community’: a critical review of community mental health services for women in African settings

COVID-19, a tale of two pandemics: novel coronavirus and fake news messaging

Disrupting vaccine logistics

Use of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to identify confounders in applied health research: review and recommendations

Measurement and monitoring patient safety in prehospital care: a systematic review

Black Lives Matter protests and COVID-19 cases: relationship in two databases

The positive impact of lockdown in Wuhan on containing the COVID-19 outbreak in China

Severe Malnutrition and Anemia Are Associated with Severe COVID in Infants

A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Pilot, and Feasibility Study of a High Nicotine Strength E-Cigarette Intervention for Smoking Cessation or Reduction for People With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Who Smoke Cigarettes

Healthcare workers and protection against inhalable SARS-CoV-2 aerosols

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226 Hot Public Health Thesis Topics For Top Grades

Are you stuck trying to get the best current public health research topics for thesis and writing it? If yes, know you are not alone. A lot of students find the tasks challenging, but we are here to help. Keep reading our informative guide that demonstrates how to prepare an engaging public health paper.

We will also highlight hot 226 health policy topics for paper and other public health ideas for dissertation that you can use for top grades. Why settle for less when we can help you select the best college or university papers?

What Is Public Health?

Before looking at the top public health statistics undergraduate thesis topics or other public health research ideas, let’s start with the definition. So, what is public health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), public health is “the art and science of preventing diseases, helping to prolong life and promote health using organized efforts. Good examples of public health efforts include preventing outbreaks, educating the public on health choices, promoting fitness, preparing for emergencies, and avoiding the spread of infectious diseases. Public health

How To Write A Great Public Health Dissertation

If you are a graduate or masters student, one of the most comprehensive documents that you need to prepare is the dissertation. It is an expansive paper and comes at the end of your course. Remember that you need to ensure it is prepared well because a team of professors will ultimately evaluate it. So, here are the main steps that you need to follow to prepare a high quality dissertation:

Identify the topic of study Comprehensively research the topic and identify the main points to support it Develop the thesis statement for the dissertation (this thesis will ultimately be tested after gathering your data) Develop an outline for the dissertation. This guide should tell you what to write at what specific instance. Here is a sample outline: Topic of the study Introduction. Start with the thesis statement, followed by the objectives of the study. Then, the rest of the introduction should be used to set the background for the study. Literature review: Review relevant resources about the topic. Methodology: Explain the methodology that was used during the study. Is Results and analysis: Provide the results gathered during the study. Discussion and conclusion: Here, you should discuss the study results and demonstrate whether they approve or disapprove the thesis statement. If you found any gaps in the previous studies, highlight them too and call for further studies. Bibliography: This is a list of all the resources you used to prepare the paper. Write the first draft following the outline we have just listed above. Write the final copy by refining the first draft, proofreading, and editing it.

Awesome Public Health Thesis Topics

Here are the leading thesis topics in public health for top grades. You can use them as they are or tweak a little to suit your preference.

Public Health Thesis Topics In Mental Issues

What is the role of public health in addressing mental issues in society?
Seasonal affective disorder: A review of the disorder’s prevalence rates.
Society should always listen to the needs of mentally ill persons.
Eating disorders in adults: A review of the treatment strategies used for adults in the UK.
What is the relation between climate change and emerging public health issues?
Comparing depression prevalence rates in the UK to those of the US.
What are the main causes of anxiety disorders in society?
A review of the connection between HIV/AIDS and mental health issues in society.
Running a public health facility: What is the most important equipment?
Emerging public health issues in developing countries.
Analyzing the psychological problems of breast cancer.
What strategies should people use to prevent their mental health from social media dangers?
A review of the public health benefits associated with active lifestyles.
Stress: Why is it a major risk factor for mental health in many communities?
What are the most common mental health issues in society today?
Comparing the rates of depression and stress in China and the UK.
Addressing anxiety-related disorders: Is cognitive-behavior therapy the best treatment method?
A review of the economic burden of living with a person suffering from anxiety disorders.
How does depression impact the quality of life?
Comparing training of public health officers in the US to India.

Unique Research Topics In Public Health

Surrogacy: A review of associated ethical issues.
Prevalence of medical errors in hospitals: A review of the policies used to prevent the problem in the United States.
Blood transfusion: What are the side effects?
A review of doctors’ roles in promoting healthy lifestyles.
Maintaining healthy body weight: Comparing the effectiveness of the recommended methods.
A review of organ donation trends in Europe and Asia.
Analyzing the ethical factors around cloning: When should it be allowed?
The ethics of human experimentation.
Comparing the rates of heart attacks in women to men in the United States.
What are the main causes of heart attacks? Can it be prevented?
Progress in diabetes studies and treatment: Is it possible to get a cure in the future?
Biological weapons and their impacts on society: A review of the Leukemia rates in Japan.
Pre-diabetes in children: What are the main symptoms, and how can it be addressed?

Public Health Paper Topics On COVID-19

How will COVID-19 change life?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-isolation?
Life lessons that you learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What challenges has your community faced during COVID-19 pandemic?
School life during COVID-19 pandemic.
A review of mass media operations during pandemic.
What projects did you undertake during the pandemic?
A review of projects that your community undertook during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A closer look at the backlash against Asians in Europe at the start COVID-19 pandemic period.
Preparing for the next pandemic: What lessons did the world learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The best strategies for staying healthy during a pandemic.
Is there anything that we could have done to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic?
Comparing the effectiveness of Europe and American healthcare preparedness for tackling disasters.
A review of mental health status in a community of your choice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A review of COVID-19 emergence theories: Which one do you think is more credible?
Comparing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to Ebola.
Vaccines development for viral infections: What made the development of the COVID-19 vaccine possible so fast, whereas that of HIV/AIDS has taken so long?
A review of the vaccine development process.
Time for review: How effectively do you think your government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Rethinking public health on a global scale: Demonstrating why effective healthcare is only possible when looked at globally.

Interesting Public Health Research Topic Ideas

What is the importance of learning public health in school?
Identify and review a common public health issue in your community.
The history of human health: Comparing what was considered healthy in ancient times to what is referred to as healthy today.
Going vegan: How can it impact your health?
Excessive weight: Is it the new threat to human civilization?
Is bodybuilding healthy?
Body positive: Is it a new health standard or ignorance of body issues?
Things to consider when selecting healthy food to eat.
Why psychological health should be part of every community in society.
The health of newborns: What is the difference between their healthcare and that of adults?
Emerging trends in the healthcare industry: How can the latest trends benefit society?
Comparing depression and anxiety in two countries of your choice.
Physical wellness must include healthy behavioral patterns and nutrition.
A sense of belonging is paramount to personal and community health.
What is the relationship between spirituality and public health?
A review of stigmatization of mental health issues in a community of your choice.
Is it possible to prevent depression?
At what point should children start learning sex-related education?
Comparing the two main public health issues in two cities: London and New York.
What is the relationship between poverty and public health?

Hot Researchable Topics In Public Health

The resurgence of measles in society: The best guidance for clinicians.
Tackling the growing national drug problem.
Bioterrorism preparedness for global disasters.
A review of recent vitamin D recommendations for older adults.
Strategies for maintaining maternal mortality at low levels across the globe.
Efforts by Asian governments to reduce infections from using unsafe water.
Over-the-counter drug abuse in Europe: Compare two countries of your choice.
Health care providers’ roles in preventing bullying in society.
Knowledge management in the UK healthcare organizations.
The health benefits of good healthcare waste management.
Characteristics of dental wastes in hospitals.
Comparing the most prevalent public health issues in developed and developing nations.
Latest trends in financing public health.
The relevance of clinical epidemiology in public health.
Evidence based public health.
Epidemiological burden of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
Addressing cervical cancer in developing countries: Is it possible to eliminate it completely?
Ethics in public health clinical research.
Comparing the strategies used in teaching and motivating public health professionals in developing and developed countries.

Research Topics In Public Health For Masters

Advertising and impacts on food choices in the community.
The use of stem cell technologies for cancer treatment: What are the latest trends?
Bio-printing: Is it the future of organ transplants?
Nutrition education: How does it promote healthy diets?
Exercising: What role does it play in promoting strength and balance in the elderly?
Weight loss surgery: What are the key advantages and disadvantages?
Heart disease is a major public health issue in society.
Alternative strategies for treating depression in society: Are they effective?
Healthcare leadership and its importance in public health.
Legal aspects of public health care in the society.
Mental disabilities in patients: A review of the emerging trends in the UK.
How does the United States promote the development of public health?
Inequalities in medicine: What impact does it have in public health?
The most controversial issues in public health in the UK.
What are the most preferred storage systems for medical supplies in the UK public health facilities?
Reimagining the public health systems on the globe: Where do you see the UK health system in the next 20 years?

Hot Thesis Topics Public Health

Mandatory overtime work for medical staff: How does it impact their commitment to their job?
Nursing shortage and its impact in public health.
Strategies for improving public health in the EU.
Mental health issues among asylum seekers in the United States.
Common mental issues among veterans returning from war: A case study of the United States.
What functions does management play in healthcare settings when handling key public health issues?
How poor relationships between nurses and doctors can impact public health services delivery.
Third-party players in public health and their roles.
Financial reporting standards in public health facilities.
What is the correlation between revenue collection in society and the quality of patient services?
Reviewing the coordination of public health officials during disasters.
The importance of staff training on quality of health services.
Comparing the differences between alternative medicine and conventional medicine in addressing public health issues in society.
Obesity: What are the main causes in child-going age?
A review of health consequences of caffeine.
Medical marijuana: What are the main pros and cons?
A review of the US Farm Bill Amendments that legalized use of cannabis in the US.
Doing sports: Is it always healthy?
Low-fat or low-carb diet: Which one is better in addressing overweight and diabetes issues?
Preventing communicable diseases: Evaluating the prevention strategies used in Asia.
What is the estimated cost of treating heart problems?

Controversial Public Health Dissertation Topics

Smoking and impacts of current efforts to address cancer in the society.
A review of the main causes of heart attacks in society today.
Tobacco ads: Evaluating their impacts and the relationship to the current cancer trends in the society.
Sleep disorders: Explain why they should be considered a public health issue.
Staffing shortage and the impacts in fighting COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.
Analyzing risk management of treating different diseases in the community.
COVID-19 pandemic in numbers: Comparing the infection rates in the developed and developing countries.
Reviewing strategies used in the US public health system to achieve equity: How effective are they?
Analyzing the main challenges in the UK medical care system.
Rising cases of suicides in the society: What are the main causes?
A comprehensive review of strategies used to prevent suicides in the 21st century in the US.
Use of vaccines to prevent diseases: Do adults still need the vaccines?
Heat-related deaths: What strategies should be adopted?
Chronic-diseases prevention: Comparing the strategies used in developing and developed countries.
Are we becoming too dependent on antibiotics in fighting diseases?
Opioid crisis: Are the doctors to blame for it?
Use of blockchain in growing accuracy of clinical trials in medicine.
What dangers are posed by nuclear wastes in society?
Assessing US industrial facilities compliance rates to cut down emissions.
Using clean energy as a strategy of improving public health: What are the expectations?
What is the healthiest country?
Evaluating the correlation between gaming and deviant behavior among children in society.
COVID-19 could have been prevented if WHO was more vigilant?

Public Health Research Questions

Is the high cost of medical healthcare in the United States justified?
What is the correlation between poverty and poor health in society?
Should health care for homeless people be free?
Unconventional medicine: Should it be part of the UK healthcare system?
Should doctors be responsible for medical errors?
Should medical officers or health facilities be allowed to promote selective medical products?
Should all healthcare facilities in the UK be required to have translators for non-English speaking clients?
Mental health issues associated with domestic violence: A case study of France.
Is it a good idea to legalize euthanasia?
What are the benefits of using surgical masks in public?
What are the most important lessons from the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic reported on the globe?
Who is more responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic?
Ebola or COVID-19 pandemic: Which is worse?
What are the main causes of epidemics on the globe?
Public health planning: What are the most important things to think about?
Should governments pay the cost of rehabilitating drug addicts in society?
Teaching children healthy lifestyles: What are the best strategies?
What problems do people with autism face in society?
What are the leading causes of child mortality in your community?
Gun violence in the United States: Should it be considered a public health issue?
What illnesses are considered foodborne?

Easy Topics In Public Health

All workplaces should support breastfeeding.
What are the best strategies to reduce pollution in society?
Public health benefits of recycling waste in society.
Reviewing the causes of poor water quality in the developing world.
Comparing water quality standards policies in the UK and US.
Health impacts of the rapid depletion of o-zone depletion.
Better planning of infrastructural development is important for healthier societies: Discuss.
The US is better prepared to handle pandemics that might arise after the COVID-19 pandemic. Discuss.
A review of common diseases spread by vectors.
A review of key policies installed to protect employee health.
Legal age for consuming energy drinks should be set by the government to address the problem of diabetes.
Smoking: Should it be banned in public?
What are the best strategies for raising awareness in public?
Can reducing the workload of employees in manufacturing facilities improve their health?
Sunbathing should be restricted to prevent the risk of cancer: Discuss.
Should abortion be banned in society?
School-related stress: How can it be prevented?
Should birth control be made available and free for all teenagers?
What should be categorized as a bad health habit?
Compare and contrast two common treatment methods for treating behavioral disorders.
Internet addiction: What are the main dangers of internet addiction?

Seek Thesis Help from Experts

As we indicated earlier, writing a dissertation or other advanced papers is never easy. However, you should not give up or get content with poor quality work. If you do, defending the paper in front of a team of professors will be challenging. The best way out is to pay master thesis help .

We work with the best writers who are always ready to help you craft A-rated papers. They are educated in top schools and have a lot of experience in preparing both undergraduate papers and masters thesis. When you buy medical thesis , we also offer editing and proofreading services to guarantee students of highly refined work. Our services are also affordable and we also use secure communication to guarantee every student high confidentiality. When your teacher issues the assignment prompt, whether for a research paper or dissertation, let our professionals help you to get the best grades.

Research Topics & Ideas: Healthcare

100+ Healthcare Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Healthcare-related research topics and ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a healthcare-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of healthcare-related research ideas and topic thought-starters across a range of healthcare fields, including allopathic and alternative medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacology and public health.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the healthcare domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic.

Overview: Healthcare Research Topics

Allopathic medicine
Alternative /complementary medicine
Veterinary medicine
Physical therapy/ rehab
Optometry and ophthalmology
Pharmacy and pharmacology
Public health
Examples of healthcare-related dissertations

Allopathic (Conventional) Medicine

The effectiveness of telemedicine in remote elderly patient care
The impact of stress on the immune system of cancer patients
The effects of a plant-based diet on chronic diseases such as diabetes
The use of AI in early cancer diagnosis and treatment
The role of the gut microbiome in mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
The efficacy of mindfulness meditation in reducing chronic pain: A systematic review
The benefits and drawbacks of electronic health records in a developing country
The effects of environmental pollution on breast milk quality
The use of personalized medicine in treating genetic disorders
The impact of social determinants of health on chronic diseases in Asia
The role of high-intensity interval training in improving cardiovascular health
The efficacy of using probiotics for gut health in pregnant women
The impact of poor sleep on the treatment of chronic illnesses
The role of inflammation in the development of chronic diseases such as lupus
The effectiveness of physiotherapy in pain control post-surgery

Topics & Ideas: Alternative Medicine

The benefits of herbal medicine in treating young asthma patients
The use of acupuncture in treating infertility in women over 40 years of age
The effectiveness of homoeopathy in treating mental health disorders: A systematic review
The role of aromatherapy in reducing stress and anxiety post-surgery
The impact of mindfulness meditation on reducing high blood pressure
The use of chiropractic therapy in treating back pain of pregnant women
The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine such as Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie (SQTX) in treating digestive disorders in China
The impact of yoga on physical and mental health in adolescents
The benefits of hydrotherapy in treating musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis
The role of Reiki in promoting healing and relaxation post birth
The effectiveness of naturopathy in treating skin conditions such as eczema
The use of deep tissue massage therapy in reducing chronic pain in amputees
The impact of tai chi on the treatment of anxiety and depression
The benefits of reflexology in treating stress, anxiety and chronic fatigue
The role of acupuncture in the prophylactic management of headaches and migraines

Topics & Ideas: Dentistry

The impact of sugar consumption on the oral health of infants
The use of digital dentistry in improving patient care: A systematic review
The efficacy of orthodontic treatments in correcting bite problems in adults
The role of dental hygiene in preventing gum disease in patients with dental bridges
The impact of smoking on oral health and tobacco cessation support from UK dentists
The benefits of dental implants in restoring missing teeth in adolescents
The use of lasers in dental procedures such as root canals
The efficacy of root canal treatment using high-frequency electric pulses in saving infected teeth
The role of fluoride in promoting remineralization and slowing down demineralization
The impact of stress-induced reflux on oral health
The benefits of dental crowns in restoring damaged teeth in elderly patients
The use of sedation dentistry in managing dental anxiety in children
The efficacy of teeth whitening treatments in improving dental aesthetics in patients with braces
The role of orthodontic appliances in improving well-being
The impact of periodontal disease on overall health and chronic illnesses

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Tops & Ideas: Veterinary Medicine

The impact of nutrition on broiler chicken production
The role of vaccines in disease prevention in horses
The importance of parasite control in animal health in piggeries
The impact of animal behaviour on welfare in the dairy industry
The effects of environmental pollution on the health of cattle
The role of veterinary technology such as MRI in animal care
The importance of pain management in post-surgery health outcomes
The impact of genetics on animal health and disease in layer chickens
The effectiveness of alternative therapies in veterinary medicine: A systematic review
The role of veterinary medicine in public health: A case study of the COVID-19 pandemic
The impact of climate change on animal health and infectious diseases in animals
The importance of animal welfare in veterinary medicine and sustainable agriculture
The effects of the human-animal bond on canine health
The role of veterinary medicine in conservation efforts: A case study of Rhinoceros poaching in Africa
The impact of veterinary research of new vaccines on animal health

Topics & Ideas: Physical Therapy/Rehab

The efficacy of aquatic therapy in improving joint mobility and strength in polio patients
The impact of telerehabilitation on patient outcomes in Germany
The effect of kinesiotaping on reducing knee pain and improving function in individuals with chronic pain
A comparison of manual therapy and yoga exercise therapy in the management of low back pain
The use of wearable technology in physical rehabilitation and the impact on patient adherence to a rehabilitation plan
The impact of mindfulness-based interventions in physical therapy in adolescents
The effects of resistance training on individuals with Parkinson’s disease
The role of hydrotherapy in the management of fibromyalgia
The impact of cognitive-behavioural therapy in physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain
The use of virtual reality in physical rehabilitation of sports injuries
The effects of electrical stimulation on muscle function and strength in athletes
The role of physical therapy in the management of stroke recovery: A systematic review
The impact of pilates on mental health in individuals with depression
The use of thermal modalities in physical therapy and its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation
The effect of strength training on balance and gait in elderly patients

Topics & Ideas: Optometry & Opthalmology

The impact of screen time on the vision and ocular health of children under the age of 5
The effects of blue light exposure from digital devices on ocular health
The role of dietary interventions, such as the intake of whole grains, in the management of age-related macular degeneration
The use of telemedicine in optometry and ophthalmology in the UK
The impact of myopia control interventions on African American children’s vision
The use of contact lenses in the management of dry eye syndrome: different treatment options
The effects of visual rehabilitation in individuals with traumatic brain injury
The role of low vision rehabilitation in individuals with age-related vision loss: challenges and solutions
The impact of environmental air pollution on ocular health
The effectiveness of orthokeratology in myopia control compared to contact lenses
The role of dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, in ocular health
The effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure from tanning beds on ocular health
The impact of computer vision syndrome on long-term visual function
The use of novel diagnostic tools in optometry and ophthalmology in developing countries
The effects of virtual reality on visual perception and ocular health: an examination of dry eye syndrome and neurologic symptoms

Topics & Ideas: Pharmacy & Pharmacology

The impact of medication adherence on patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis
The use of personalized medicine in the management of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
The effects of pharmacogenomics on drug response and toxicity in cancer patients
The role of pharmacists in the management of chronic pain in primary care
The impact of drug-drug interactions on patient mental health outcomes
The use of telepharmacy in healthcare: Present status and future potential
The effects of herbal and dietary supplements on drug efficacy and toxicity
The role of pharmacists in the management of type 1 diabetes
The impact of medication errors on patient outcomes and satisfaction
The use of technology in medication management in the USA
The effects of smoking on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics: A case study of clozapine
Leveraging the role of pharmacists in preventing and managing opioid use disorder
The impact of the opioid epidemic on public health in a developing country
The use of biosimilars in the management of the skin condition psoriasis
The effects of the Affordable Care Act on medication utilization and patient outcomes in African Americans

Topics & Ideas: Public Health

The impact of the built environment and urbanisation on physical activity and obesity
The effects of food insecurity on health outcomes in Zimbabwe
The role of community-based participatory research in addressing health disparities
The impact of social determinants of health, such as racism, on population health
The effects of heat waves on public health
The role of telehealth in addressing healthcare access and equity in South America
The impact of gun violence on public health in South Africa
The effects of chlorofluorocarbons air pollution on respiratory health
The role of public health interventions in reducing health disparities in the USA
The impact of the United States Affordable Care Act on access to healthcare and health outcomes
The effects of water insecurity on health outcomes in the Middle East
The role of community health workers in addressing healthcare access and equity in low-income countries
The impact of mass incarceration on public health and behavioural health of a community
The effects of floods on public health and healthcare systems
The role of social media in public health communication and behaviour change in adolescents

Examples: Healthcare Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a healthcare-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various healthcare-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

Improving Follow-Up Care for Homeless Populations in North County San Diego (Sanchez, 2021)
On the Incentives of Medicare’s Hospital Reimbursement and an Examination of Exchangeability (Elzinga, 2016)
Managing the healthcare crisis: the career narratives of nurses (Krueger, 2021)
Methods for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatric haematology-oncology patients: A systematic literature review (Balkan, 2020)
Farms in Healthcare: Enhancing Knowledge, Sharing, and Collaboration (Garramone, 2019)
When machine learning meets healthcare: towards knowledge incorporation in multimodal healthcare analytics (Yuan, 2020)
Integrated behavioural healthcare: The future of rural mental health (Fox, 2019)
Healthcare service use patterns among autistic adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis (Gilmore, 2021)
Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Combatting Burnout and Compassionate Fatigue among Mental Health Caregivers (Lundquist, 2022)
Transgender and gender-diverse people’s perceptions of gender-inclusive healthcare access and associated hope for the future (Wille, 2021)
Efficient Neural Network Synthesis and Its Application in Smart Healthcare (Hassantabar, 2022)
The Experience of Female Veterans and Health-Seeking Behaviors (Switzer, 2022)
Machine learning applications towards risk prediction and cost forecasting in healthcare (Singh, 2022)
Does Variation in the Nursing Home Inspection Process Explain Disparity in Regulatory Outcomes? (Fox, 2020)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your healthcare dissertation or thesis, check out Topic Kickstarter service below.

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

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Topic Kickstarter: Research topics in education

15 Comments

I need topics that will match the Msc program am running in healthcare research please

Hello Mabel,

I can help you with a good topic, kindly provide your email let’s have a good discussion on this.

Can you provide some research topics and ideas on Immunology?

Thank you to create new knowledge on research problem verse research topic

Help on problem statement on teen pregnancy

This post might be useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-problem-statement/

can you provide me with a research topic on healthcare related topics to a qqi level 5 student

Please can someone help me with research topics in public health ?

Hello I have requirement of Health related latest research issue/topics for my social media speeches. If possible pls share health issues , diagnosis, treatment.

I would like a topic thought around first-line support for Gender-Based Violence for survivors or one related to prevention of Gender-Based Violence

Please can I be helped with a master’s research topic in either chemical pathology or hematology or immunology? thanks

Can u please provide me with a research topic on occupational health and safety at the health sector

Good day kindly help provide me with Ph.D. Public health topics on Reproductive and Maternal Health, interventional studies on Health Education

may you assist me with a good easy healthcare administration study topic

May you assist me in finding a research topic on nutrition,physical activity and obesity. On the impact on children

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Public health is the medical discipline concerned with the prevention and control of disease through population surveillance and the promotion of healthy behaviours. Strategies used to promote public health include patient education, the administration of vaccines, and other components of preventive medicine.

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v.110(3); 2019 Jun

Language: English | French

Why public health matters today and tomorrow: the role of applied public health research

Lindsay mclaren.

1 University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

Paula Braitstein

2 University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

David Buckeridge

3 McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Damien Contandriopoulos

4 University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada

Maria I. Creatore

5 CIHR Institute of Population & Public Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Guy Faulkner

6 University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

David Hammond

7 University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

Steven J. Hoffman

8 CIHR Institute of Population & Public Health and York University, Toronto, Canada

Yan Kestens

9 Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada

Scott Leatherdale

Jonathan mcgavock.

10 University of Manitoba and the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Wendy V. Norman

11 University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Candace Nykiforuk

12 University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Valéry Ridde

13 IRD (French Institute For Research on Sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université Paris Descartes), ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Université Paris Sorbonne Cités, Paris, France

14 University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada

Janet Smylie

Public health is critical to a healthy, fair, and sustainable society. Realizing this vision requires imagining a public health community that can maintain its foundational core while adapting and responding to contemporary imperatives such as entrenched inequities and ecological degradation. In this commentary, we reflect on what tomorrow’s public health might look like, from the point of view of our collective experiences as researchers in Canada who are part of an Applied Public Health Chairs program designed to support “innovative population health research that improves health equity for citizens in Canada and around the world.” We view applied public health research as sitting at the intersection of core principles for population and public health: namely sustainability, equity, and effectiveness. We further identify three attributes of a robust applied public health research community that we argue are necessary to permit contribution to those principles: researcher autonomy, sustained intersectoral research capacity, and a critical perspective on the research-practice-policy interface. Our intention is to catalyze further discussion and debate about why and how public health matters today and tomorrow, and the role of applied public health research therein.

Résumé

La santé publique est essentielle à une société saine, juste et durable. Pour donner forme à cette vision, il faut imaginer une communauté de la santé publique capable de préserver ses valeurs fondamentales tout en s’adaptant et en réagissant aux impératifs du moment, comme les inégalités persistantes et la dégradation de l’environnement. Dans notre commentaire, nous esquissons un portrait possible de la santé publique de demain en partant de notre expérience collective de chercheurs d’un programme canadien de chaires en santé publique appliquée qui visent à appuyer « la recherche innovatrice sur la santé de la population en vue d’améliorer l’équité en santé au Canada et ailleurs ». Nous considérons la recherche appliquée en santé publique comme se trouvant à la croisée des principes fondamentaux de la santé publique et des populations, à savoir : la durabilité, l’équité et l’efficacité. Nous définissons aussi les trois attributs d’une solide communauté de recherche appliquée en santé publique nécessaires selon nous au respect de ces principes : l’autonomie des chercheurs, une capacité de recherche intersectorielle soutenue et une perspective critique de l’interface entre la recherche, la pratique et les politiques. Nous voulons susciter des discussions et des débats approfondis sur l’importance de la santé publique pour aujourd’hui et pour demain et sur le rôle de la recherche appliquée en santé publique.

Introduction

Public health is critical to a healthy, fair, and sustainable society. Public health’s role in this vision stems from its foundational values of social justice and collectivity (Rutty and Sullivan 2010 ) and—we argue—from its position at the interface of research, practice, and policy.

Realizing this vision requires imagining a public health community that can maintain that foundational core, embrace opportunities of our changing world, and predict and adapt to emerging challenges in a timely manner. Unprecedented ecosystem disruption creates far-reaching health implications for which the public health community is unprepared (CPHA 2015 ; Whitmee et al. 2015 ). Human displacement is at its highest levels on record; those forced from home include “stateless people,” who are denied access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment, and freedom of movement ( http://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html ). Significant growth in urban populations creates an urgent need to improve urban environments, including policies to reduce air pollution and prevent sprawl (CPHA 2015 ; Frumkin et al. 2004 ), to reduce the substantial burden of morbidity and mortality attributable to behaviours such as physical inactivity, which negatively impact quality and quantity of life (Manuel et al. 2016 ). Significant and entrenched forms of economic, social, political, and historical marginalization and exclusion (TRC 2015 ), coupled with inequitable and unsustainable patterns of resource consumption and technological development (CPHA 2015 ; Whitmee et al. 2015 ), cause and perpetuate health inequities. These inequities underlie the now longstanding recognition that the unequal distributions of health-damaging experiences are the main determinants of health (CSDH 2008 ; Ridde 2004 ).

These imperatives demand a broadly characterized public health community. A now classic definition of public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society (Last 2001 ). Public health, conceptualized in this manner, engages multiple sectors, embraces inclusion and empowerment (Ridde 2007 ), and demands navigating diverse political and economic agendas. Across Canada, a large and growing proportion of provincial spending is devoted to health care, while the proportion devoted to social spending (i.e., the social determinants of health) is small, flat-lining, and in some places declining (Dutton et al. 2018 ). Recent discourse has highlighted a weakening of formal public health infrastructure (Guyon et al. 2017 ) and points of fracture within the field (Lucyk and McLaren 2017 ). Efforts to strengthen public health, in its broadest sense, and to work towards unity of purpose (Talbot 2018 ) are needed now more than ever. What might such efforts look like?

We reflect on this question from our perspectives as researchers who are part of an Applied Public Health Chairs (APHC) program designed to support “innovative population health research that improves health equity for citizens in Canada and around the world.” 1 The applied dimension 2 is facilitated through the program’s focus on “interdisciplinary collaborations and mentorship of researchers and decision makers in health and other sectors” ( http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48898.html ). The APHC program (Box 1) is part of a broader set of efforts to address gaps in public health capacity, including research. Cross-cutting themes for the 2014 cohort (Box 2) include the following: healthy public policy, supportive environments (e.g., cities), diverse methodological approaches, global health, and health equity; many of which 3 align with a Public Health Services and Systems Research perspective in that they “identif[y] the implementation strategies that work, building evidence to support decision-making across the public health sphere” ( http://www.publichealthsystems.org/ ). Applied public health research is broad and could span CIHR Pillars 4 (social, cultural, environmental, and population health research) and 3 (health services research); the 2014 APHC cohort is predominantly aligned with Pillar 4.

The APHC program represents a significant Canadian investment in public health, and thus provides an important vantage point from which to reflect on why public health matters today, and tomorrow.

Box 1 The Applied Public Health Chairs program

Program objectives
• Support high-quality programs of population health intervention research
• Stimulate the application of innovative theories, methods and approaches in research and knowledge translation that promote reciprocal learning within and between countries
• Catalyze interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations between researchers and knowledge users that contribute to evidence-informed decision-making and use of knowledge by public health and other sectors
• Mentor the current and next generation of population and public health researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers from a range of disciplines and sectors
Funding partners
• CIHR Institute of Population & Public Health ( )
• Public Health Agency of Canada ( )
• CIHR Institute of Health Services & Policy Research ( )
• CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health ( )
• CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health & Arthritis ( )
• CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, & Addictions ( )
• CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative ( )
• Alberta Innovates–Health Solutions ( )
• Fonds de recherche du Québec–Santé ( )

Box 2 2014 cohort of Applied Public Health Chairs

Thematic foci of research programs
• Population health and HIV prevention (Paula Braitstein, University of Toronto)
• E-Health and public health interventions (David Buckeridge, McGill University)
• Canada’s health care system and public health interventions (Damien Contandriopoulos, University of Victoria)
• Physical activity and public health (Guy Faulkner, University of British Columbia)
• Health adaptation and climate change (James Ford, formerly McGill University)
• Evaluating smoking and healthy weight policies (David Hammond, University of Waterloo)
• Urban interventions and public health (Yan Kestens, Université de Montréal)
• Chronic disease prevention and youth (Scott Leatherdale, University of Waterloo)
• Aboriginal health equity and obesity (Jonathan McGavock, University of Manitoba)
• Oral health and policy (Lindsay McLaren, University of Calgary)
• Sexual and reproductive health (Wendy V. Norman, University of British Columbia)
• Public policy and community environments (Candace Nykiforuk, University of Alberta)
• Global health and community health interventions (Valéry Ridde, formerly Université de Montréal)
• Indigenous health knowledge and information as tools to advance equity (Janet Smylie, University of Toronto)

More details available at: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48898.html

Our proposal

We propose that applied public health research is a critical component of a robust population and public health community. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , we view applied public health research as sitting at the nexus of three core principles: (1) sustainability, (2) equity, and (3) effectiveness, which align with a vision of public health as critical to a healthy, fair, and sustainable society. By sustainability , we mean an approach or way of thinking, about public health in particular (e.g., Schell et al. 2013 ) and population well-being more broadly ( https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs ) that emphasizes “meet[ing] the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland et al. 1987 ). Sustainability has social, economic, environmental, and political dimensions. We define equity as a worldview concerned with the embedded or systemic—and often invisible—drivers of unfair distributions of health-damaging experiences. In Canada and elsewhere, inequity is entrenched in legacies of colonial, structural racism designed to sustain inequitable patterns of power and wealth. Equity transcends diverse axes and perspectives, and an equity lens is action-oriented (Ridde 2007 ). Finally, effectiveness refers to impact or benefits for population well-being, as demonstrated by rigorous research. Explicit core values (e.g., equity), while important, are insufficient without translation to demonstrable outcomes (Potvin and Jones 2011 ). These core principles—sustainability, equity, and effectiveness—overlap and are mutually reinforcing; for example, the inequitable concentration of power, wealth, and exploitation of resources precludes sustainability.

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Object name is 41997_2019_196_Fig1_HTML.jpg

Visual depiction of the role and attributes of applied public health research, vis-à-vis core population and public health principles of equity, sustainability, and effectiveness

Although these principles are applicable to the public health community broadly (i.e., including but not limited to researchers), applied public health researchers are uniquely situated to embrace sustainability, equity, and effectiveness when asking questions and generating policy- and practice-relevant knowledge, as illustrated below. Drawing on our collective experiences, we describe three necessary attributes of applied public health research that support our model in Fig. 1 : researcher autonomy, sustained intersectoral research capacity; and a critical perspective on the research-practice-policy interface. We assert that applied public health research is best positioned to contribute meaningfully to the principles of sustainability, effectiveness, and equity if the attributes described below are in place.

Researcher autonomy

Researcher autonomy is a precondition for innovation and independent thinking, and for building and sustaining the conditions for collective efforts. Our working definition of researcher autonomy is the capacity to devote time and energy to activities that, at the researcher’s discretion, facilitate research that embraces principles of sustainability, effectiveness, and equity. Autonomy, beyond the scope of general academic independence, provides the freedom to build and nurture partnerships, and to navigate among universities, health care systems, governments, communities, and across sectors. Effective and respectful partnerships are critical to rigorous intersectoral work and can provide an important platform to discuss systemic forms of inequity (e.g., Olivier et al. 2016 ; Morton Ninomiya et al. 2017 ). Recognizing a potential tension around the role of the researcher in an applied public health context, we deliberately selected the word “autonomy,” which we view as conducive to meaningful collaboration (although that may be experienced differently by different researchers), rather than “independence” which can be seen as contrary to such collaboration. Yet despite their importance, the time and resources to form and sustain those relationships are often not accommodated within funding and academic structures.

Autonomy, when coupled with resources and recognition, permits applied public health researchers to balance foundations of public health with current policy relevance. Although many of us have research programs with particular thematic foci (e.g., physical activity, dental health, HIV), autonomy provides space and credibility to connect those focal issues to enduring and evolving problems in public health (e.g., determinants of population well-being and equity), and to inform the contemporary policy context. Examples include research on health implications of neighbourhood gentrification in urban settings (Steinmetz-Wood et al. 2017 ); using community water fluoridation as a window into public and political understanding and acceptance of public health interventions that are universal in nature (McLaren and Petit 2018 ); and using innovative sampling methods to identify how census methods can perpetuate exclusion (Rotondi et al. 2017 ). That latter work, which estimated that the national census undercounts urban Indigenous populations in Toronto by a factor of approximately 2–4, provides impetus to work towards an inclusive system that respects individual and collective data sovereignty, and that is accountable to the communities from whom data are collected.

These implications of autonomy are consistent with calls for greater reflexivity in public health research (Tremblay and Parent 2014 ).

Insight : To strengthen applied public health research in Canada, researcher autonomy – whereby researchers have the credibility and protected time to set their own agendas in partnerships with the communities they serve – must be privileged.

Sustained intersectoral research capacity

Applied public health research requires funding for resources and infrastructure that are essential to sustain an intersectoral research program, but for which operating funds are otherwise not readily available. Examples include ongoing cohort studies (e.g., Leatherdale et al. 2014 ), research software platforms (e.g., Shaban-Nejad et al. 2017 ), meaningful public sector engagement in developing public health priorities, and knowledge translation activities.

Partnerships, also considered under researcher autonomy above, are one form of intersectoral research capacity. In applied public health research, having strong partnerships in place permits timely response to research opportunities that arise quickly in real-world settings. Examples in our cohort include instances where researchers were able to mobilize for rapid response funding competitions in areas of environment and health, communicable disease in the global South, and Indigenous training networks, because collaborative teams and potential for knowledge co-creation and transfer were already in place.

Insight : A robust applied public health research community requires sustained funding to support foundations of a credible and internationally-competitive research program (e.g., cohort studies, research software platforms, meaningful public sector engagement) that are difficult to resource via usual operating grant channels.

A critical perspective on the research-practice-policy interface

One barrier to evidence-based policy in applied public health is an assumption that evidence is the most important factor in making policy decisions, versus a more holistic view of the policymaking process where evidence is one of many factors, as discussed in recent work (Fafard and Hoffman 2018 ; O’Neill et al. 2019 ; Ridde and Yaméogo 2018 ).

Applied public health research is ideally positioned to embrace a critical perspective on the research-practice-policy interface. Several recent trends are promising in that regard. These include the following: substantive efforts to bridge public health and social science scholarship ( http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/50604.html ), growing success by Pillar 4 researchers (including applied public health) in CIHR’s open funding competitions ( http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/50488.html ), and the CIHR Health System Impact Fellowship initiative ( http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/50612.html ), which could facilitate the placement of doctoral and post-doctoral academic researchers within the public health system and related (e.g., public, NGO) organizations.

Insight : Applied public health researchers are ideally positioned to embrace and model a sophisticated and interdisciplinary perspective on the research-practice-policy interface. To do so, opportunities for researchers (including trainees) to gain skills and experience to navigate the policy context are needed.

Against the backdrop of discourse about a weakening of public health infrastructure and fracture within the field (Guyon et al. 2017 ; Lucyk and McLaren 2017 ), we believe that there is value in working towards a unity of purpose (Talbot 2018 ). This commentary was prompted by a shared belief that through our experience with the Applied Public Health Chair Program, we have seen a glimpse of what is needed to achieve a population and public health community that is positioned to tackle societal imperatives, which includes an important role for applied public health research, spanning CIHR Pillars 3 and 4. Anchored in principles of sustainability, equity, and effectiveness, we assert a strong need for applied research infrastructure that privileges and supports: researcher autonomy, sustained funding to support foundations of a credible and internationally competitive research program, and opportunities for researchers (including trainees) to gain skills and experience to navigate the policy context. We welcome and invite further discussion and debate.

1 Under CIHR-IPPH’s mandate, population health research refers to “research into the complex biological, social, cultural, and environmental interactions that determine the health of individuals, communities, and global populations.”

2 Applied may be defined as follows: “put to practical use,” as opposed to being theoretical ( https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applied ).

3 For example: https://uwaterloo.ca/compass-system/ (Leatherdale); http://cart-grac.ubc.ca/ (Norman); http://www.healthsystemsglobal.org/ (Ridde).

The original version of this article was revised due to a retrospective Open Access order.

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Change history

The article ��Why public health matters today and tomorrow: the role of applied public health research,�� written by Lindsay McLaren et al., was originally published Online First without Open Access.

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Are you searching for the most fitting public health research topics for your academic assignments? Don't fret, we've got your back. Many scholars stumble upon this hurdle, but we're here to lend a helping hand. Check this guide from our online paper writing service to find a compelling public health topic idea for your project. We'll spotlight an assortment of fascinating public health topics for research papers to give you various suggestions to choose from.

What Are Public Health Research Topics?

Public health research topics are areas of study within the larger field of public health. They cover diverse issues like community health, disease prevention, and health policies. These research topic ideas help us understand and improve global healthcare. They can explore various factors like environmental impacts on public overall wellbeing or the effectiveness of health policies. In a nutshell, each topic is a chance to improve global health and devise effective strategies.

Characteristics of Good Public Health Research Topics

Choosing the right public health research topic is the first step to anchoring a successful project. A good research idea serves as the foundation providing a frame for your study. Here are some key characteristics that define good public health research topics:

Unique Your idea should offer a fresh perspective or address underexplored areas within public health.
Researchable Your topic should be within the scope of your resources and abilities. Make sure there are sufficient and accessible data sources to draw from.
Information-rich A research idea should evolve around issues that offer enough breadth and depth of information to support a rigorous analysis.
Specific It must be focused, clearly defined, and concise, preventing the research from becoming too broad or vague.
Relevant Try to align with current public health issues and trends, or have clear implications for policy, practice, or further research.

How to Choose a Public Health Research Topic?

The selection process can be daunting, but there are numerous ways to come up with an interesting and thought-provoking idea. Here are some tips on picking proper public health research topic ideas:

Start small Start by exploring areas that interest you and narrow down your search as you go along.
Explore resources Utilize online databases, literature reviews, and other sources to get more information on your topic.
Review current trends Check out the most recent publications to know what public health topics are in vogue and how they can be applied to your project.
Brainstorm ideas Take some time out for brainstorming sessions with your peers or professors. You'll come up with incredible insights that may spark the perfect topic.
Narrow down the list After you've gathered a sufficient amount of ideas, go through them and cut away any irrelevant or redundant topics.

List of Research Topics in Public Health

Ready to dive into the world of public health research but don't know where to start? Well, grab your pen and get ready to tick public health topics for research that meet your needs. Each of these subjects is original and offers a unique perspective in the global health domain.

How do climate changes influence public health?
How is the digital age affecting global health?
Dissecting health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities.
Are some health systems more effective than others?
What role does public health play in pandemic response?
Confronting the obesity epidemic.
Understanding the link between clean water access and public health.
What are some implications of e-cigarettes on public wellbeing?
Investigating strategies for promoting healthy aging.
How can we achieve global health security?
How does nutrition influence global communities?
Can urban planning affect public health?
Global crisis of antibiotic resistance.
What's the impact of stress on overall health?
Evaluating how air pollution impacts people?

Good Public Health Research Topics

Are you looking for public health project ideas that are both interesting and pertinent? Here's a list of the most compelling ideas to base your study on.

Social media in the discourse of public health.
Analyzing the effects of climate change on global disease patterns.
Exploring how technology is transforming healthcare delivery and access in disadvantaged communities.
Assessing the impact of health education on health behaviour change.
Investigating how public transport systems can improve access to healthcare services.
Analyzing strategies for reducing preventable chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
Private vs public clinics.
Nature-based interventions in promoting global health.
Investigating the role of education in healthy lifestyle choices.
Analyzing how artificial intelligence can be used to combat public health epidemics.
Examining strategies for managing infectious diseases across borders.
How does food insecurity influence public health outcomes?
Analyzing the effectiveness of public health policies in addressing global poverty.
Investigating how to build resilient and healthy communities after natural disasters.
Exploring how healthcare workers can better respond to social determinants of health.

Interesting Public Health Research Topics

If you are looking for something more unique and offbeat, check out these public health topics for a research paper or project.

Natural disasters on global health outcomes.
Investigating the use of virtual reality in managing hospitals worldwide.
How video games can promote physical activity?
How does digital healthcare influence global medical privacy?
Using mobile healthcare applications in rural areas.
Exploring the use of drones in global care delivery.
Evaluating strategies for reducing food waste and its influence on public health outcomes.
Examining how urban green spaces affect public wellbeing.
Using big data to predict outbreaks in global communities.
Artificial intelligence in diagnosing and managing chronic illnesses.
Analyzing strategies for reducing poverty-related diseases in developing countries.
Access to healthcare and its influence on mortality rate.
Using digital platforms in managing health issues across populations.
Investigating strategies for promoting mental health in underprivileged communities.
Exploring the influence of media on public health awareness.

Easy Research Topics About Public Health

Are you new to this domain and feeling a bit overwhelmed? We've all been there. That's why our team of seasoned term paper writers has put together a list of simpler topics for beginners. Think of them as the basic steps that will help you reach that balance. Let's set the stage with this simplified list of research topics in public health:

Understanding basic hygiene and its role in public health.
Does regular exercise contribute to better public health?
How does fast food culture affect public health?
Public health benefits of clean air.
Can pets improve global community wellbeing?
Why is health education important in schools?
Investigating the connection between social wellbeing and clean water.
Basic nutrition: What everyone should know?
Vaccinations: Why are they important?
How does poverty affect public health?
The role of public parks in promoting community health.
Stress: Its effects and ways to manage it.
Why smoking is dangerous?
AIDS awareness and its influence on global communities.
Exploring the link between pollution and global health.

Best Public Health Research Topics

Are you trying to make an impression with your global health research? You're on the right track! Below we've whipped up a list of the best public health topics to research that are not only in tune with the times but also versatile enough to fit any research. Just remember to always back up your ideas with strong, reliable evidence.

Health impacts of urbanization and city life.
Are healthier food options really healthier?
Prevalence of obesity: Causes and prevention.
How do vaccination campaigns affect public health?
How has COVID-19 reshaped public health policies?
Worldwide pollution and its effects on respiratory system.
The rise of telemedicine: A boon or a bane?
What is the role of physical activity in public health?
The correlation between education level and health outcomes.
How does income inequality impact public health?
Is there a link between social media use and anxiety?
Evaluating strategies for reducing drug and alcohol abuse within communities.
How can we achieve gender parity in public health?
Analyzing public policies for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
What are some implications of e-cigarettes for public wellbeing?

Current Research Topics in Public Health

There are so many topics and so much potential in them! To help you navigate this vast domain, we've gathered some of the best public health research questions that are perfect for a wide array of studies.

Health impacts of microplastics in our environment.
Psychological effects of long-term isolation.
How do urban green spaces influence community health?
Impact of shift work on physical wellbeing.
Potential risks of genetically modified foods.
Food deserts and their effect on community wellbeing.
How does the gig economy affect workers' health?
The role of bees in global health.
Mental health implications of cyberbullying among teenagers.
Antibiotic overuse in livestock.
Global consequences of increasing screen time.
Universal basic income on public health.
Addressing intimate partner violence as a public health issue.
Health literacy and its influence on global community.
Exploring the effect of noise pollution on human health.

Unique Public Health Research Topics

Do you want to stand out from the crowd with your public health research? Check these authentic research topics on public health that will put a spotlight on your hard work.

Addressing loneliness as a public health issue.
The role of urban farming in promoting food security.
Exploring the health effects of microaggressions.
How does light pollution affect humans?
Global strategies for dealing with "brain drain."
The role of architecture in hospital infection control.
Can we design cities to be healthier?
What are some negative effects of "fast fashion?"
Is there a link between deforestation and disease outbreaks?
Implications of 3D printed food.
A look into the long-term effects of forest fires.
Can providing universal internet access improve public health?
Studying implications of deep-sea mining.
Effects of climate change on water-borne diseases.
How does air travel influence global health?

>> View more: Healthcare Research Topics

Controversial Public Health Research Topics

Public health, being as diverse and ever-evolving as it is, certainly has its fair share of topics that stir up debate. They might make you sweat a bit, but they definitely add a kick. Buckle up and get ready to dive into these controversial public health research ideas:

Should vaccination be mandatory for everyone?
Are digital health records an invasion of privacy?
The debate over the global effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Do energy drinks pose a significant risk?
Are alternative medicines effective or just a placebo effect?
Is healthcare a right or a privilege?
Implications of animal testing in global medical research.
Should junk food be taxed to combat obesity?
Use and abuse of ADHD medications.
Pros and cons of medical marijuana.
Is the anti-vaccination movement a public risk?
Impact of consumerism on healthcare quality.
Implications of surveillance in disease control.
Debates on the allocation of resources in a pandemic.
Should doctors be allowed to go on strike?

Public Health Research Topic Ideas for Students

Regardless of whether you are a beginner undergraduate student or an experienced doctoral candidate, the cornerstone of a successful project is an engaging topic. We have compiled a list of public health research question ideas suitable for every academic level. Choose the one you like and consider consulting with professional college paper writers to get expert help.

Public Health Research Topics for High School

High school students are required to carry out both analysis and research. But compared to other academic levels, it shouldn't be too extensive. We've curated a collection of researchable topics in public health that strike a balance between complexity and analysis. So, equip yourself with the spirit of inquiry and let's explore these ideas.

Local impact of poor air quality on public health.
Reasons for the rise in teenage smoking rates.
Analyzing strategies to reduce youth substance abuse.
What are some effective strategies for preventing teen pregnancies?
The role of school-based health education in improving public wellbeing.
What is the relationship between poverty and obesity?
What are some ways to reduce food insecurity among youth?
The correlation between school meals and childhood obesity.
Importance of school nurses in promoting public health.
The role of public health standards in preventing infectious diseases.
The impact of surgical site infections on public health.
The role of sanitation standards in mitigating public health risks.
School-based interventions for managing childhood diabetes.
Evaluating the effect of insurance reforms on healthcare accessibility.
An analysis of HIV/AIDS policies in South Africa.

Public Health Research Topics for College Students

Once you reach college, the research should be a bit more demanding. And so should public health topics for research papers! Here are some interesting ideas that require sufficient analysis and can amaze your professors.

Global efforts to reduce waterborne diseases.
Examining healthcare disparities in developing countries.
A look into methods for preventing cancer screenings disparities.
Evaluating public health interventions for managing diabetes.
Are alternative therapies an effective substitute for insulin?
How can public health education reduce maternal mortality?
How does telemedicine improve global healthcare delivery?
Malaria control in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress and challenges.
Evaluating the efficacy of workplace wellness programs.
Assessing strategies to reduce suicide rates among youth.
Analyzing the prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases with people.
Addressing malnutrition in children: A case study of Ethiopia.
The role of clean water access in public health in Bangladesh.
Obesity crisis in Mexico: A look into global implications.
How does Japan's aging population impact policies?

Public Health Research Questions

Now that you are in graduate school, you will be expected to come up with original research topics and explore them in-depth. Here are some creative public health research questions to motivate your advanced studies.

The role of social media in healthcare communication.
What role does mental health play in global population, and how can community programs address this?
How effective are public health campaigns in reducing the prevalence of smoking?
How has the COVID-19 pandemic shaped future public health strategies?
How can community initiatives combat the opioid crisis?
How does access to green space impact community health?
How can education programs effectively address the rise of sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents?
How can global systems improve to better accommodate people with disabilities?
What strategies can be employed to combat health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities?
How can public initiatives improve maternal health in low-income regions?
What are some effects of plastic pollution on people and how can it be mitigated?
Assessing the importance of public health standards in food industries.
The role of robotic surgery in improving public health outcomes.
Importance of standard guidelines in managing epidemics.
Effects of urbanization on residents of Brazil.

Public Health Research Proposal Topics

As a university student in public health, you will be expected to come up with original public health research proposal topics. Here are some thesis ideas and public health dissertation topics you can choose for a lengthy study.

Evaluating the role of immunization programs in mitigating childhood diseases.
A comparative study on the impact of public and private systems on population health.
How does healthcare reform influence access to care for low-income populations.
Evaluating the impact of the built environment on community health outcomes.
Are e-health services effective in rural settings?
Exploring the efficacy of school-based health education in India.
An analysis of public health initiatives to combat diabetes in Africa.
Assessing the benefits and risks associated with telemedicine.
Examining the impact of global warming on public health outcomes.
How does the use of mobile-health apps improve patient engagement?
A look into methods to reduce healthcare disparities in LGBTQ+ populations.
Assessing strategies to reduce homelessness and its impact on public health.
What changes are needed to improve global pandemic preparedness?
How can we reduce environmental health risks associated with industrialization?
Exploring factors that influence infant care practices in low-income regions.

>> Read more: How to Write a Research Proposal

Bottom Line on Public Health Topics for Research Papers

With these ideas in mind, we hope you will be able to craft an outstanding paper that can add value to the global domain. Choose the most appropriate research topic about public health and don't forget to credit your sources as you write. Feel free to look through our blog to find more inspirational ideas, starting from psychology research paper topics to business research topics .

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Hotspots and trends in health-oriented physical literacy research: a visual analysis based on the WOS database

Xinyuan Fang 1 &
Zhen Zhang 1

BMC Public Health volume 24 , Article number: 1480 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

240 Accesses

Metrics details

The World Health Organization has proposed that physical activity is a meaningful way to improve the quality of human life and reduce the probability of chronic non-communicable diseases and that humans should change their mindset from the actual effectiveness of physical activity in promoting health to the new view that “physical activity makes life more meaningful.” The introduction and development of physical literacy reveal the critical role of physical activity in improving human health and the importance of human initiative in physical activity for healthy development. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are (1) to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the literature on physical literacy, assessing the scope, frequency, and geographical distribution of research publications from various countries and institutions from 2015 to 2023; (2) to visualize keywords in articles on the topic of Physical literacy to analyze whether there is a link between physical literacy and health, and (3) based on the results of the visual analysis, we propose that proper health is built on the sense of physical literacy and further construct the circular path of physical literacy, physical activity, and physical health improvement.

Using VOSviewer software v.1.6.18, this study searched the core collection of the Web of Science database from 2015 to April 15, 2023, using “physical literacy” as a keyword to explore the current international research on physical literacy.

A total of 3,446 articles were included, and a correlation map was derived based on the co-occurrence frequency of keywords, which showed that physical literacy was highly correlated with six concepts: health literacy, physical activity, health, children, adolescents, and prevention.

Based on the analysis of literature visualization techniques, there is a high correlation between physical literacy and health, and international physical literacy research is in a trend of multi-point amplification, with research hotspots gradually shifting from the field of sports to the field of health and closely related to the field of health, indicating that physical literacy aims to promote the achievement of individual health by driving humans to increase physical activity.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

In recent years, the rapid advancement of science and technology has led to the proliferation of automation, networking, and intelligent technologies in all major areas of human life and production [ 1 ]. These technologies gradually replace human physical activities, making a sedentary lifestyle the norm for many professionals and students [ 2 ]. This lack of physical activity has given rise to a global epidemic of physical inactivity disorder. According to the Global Physical Activity Report 2022 by the World Health Organization, 80% of adolescents and 27.5% of adults worldwide do not meet the recommended level of physical activity [ 3 ]. Modern society has trapped humans in a “fast-paced,” “stressful,” and “inactive” lifestyle, leading to frequent physical and mental health issues and a surge in “physical inactivity disorder “ [ 4 ]. This significantly reduces the quality of life and is associated with a range of chronic non-communicable diseases and premature death [ 5 ]. If the current global situation persists, nearly 500 million people are projected to suffer from heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases due to physical inactivity between 2020 and 2030 [ 6 ].

In light of this, the report urges countries to incorporate physical activity into health-related policies as a strategic approach to improving health and tackling chronic diseases. Physical literacy, an emerging field of physical activity research, was reinterpreted by British scholar Whitehead in 1993 from a philosophical basis of phenomenology, existentialism, and embodied cognitive theory. This sparked a global surge in physical literacy research. The rapid spread of “physical literacy” in today’s world is primarily due to its novel approach to addressing the current health crisis that human society is struggling to cope with [ 7 ].

A note of physical literacy

The term “Physical literacy” first appeared in an article published in the American Journal of Health and Physical Education in 1938 [ 8 ]. However, it received little attention throughout the 20th century. In the present age of technology, where machines increasingly replace manual labor and simplify lifestyles, there is a crucial need to contemplate the significance of physical activity. If physical activity is solely considered as a means to promote physical health, there is a risk of overlooking its intrinsic value, particularly for the younger generation, which generally enjoys good physical and mental health [ 9 ]. Consequently, the pressing question of how to integrate physical activity as a “necessity” in daily life and a regular part of routines arises in the 21st century, an era marked by technological transformation [ 10 ]. In response to this question, “physical literacy” has gained prominence. Although the definition of physical literacy varies internationally, it generally aligns with the summary provided by the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA) in 2017: Physical literacy empowers individuals with the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and engage in physical activity as a lifelong habit [ 11 ]. This perspective attempts to shift from viewing physical activity as a means to an end to a subjective experience that individuals actively integrate into their pursuit of life values, potential development, and quality of life enhancement. By doing so, it aims to counteract the current decline in physical activity among humans and breathe new life into human health.

Physical literacy: a holistic approach to health and well-being

Physical literacy has received widespread academic attention because of its unique value in human physical and mental development. As an instrumental concept, it has led to a change in the thinking of physical education teachers, sports coaches, doctors, and other people concerned about physical and mental health development and influenced the formulation of related policies [ 12 ]. However, due to its complex philosophical basis and the holistic nature of mind-body unity, how physical literacy is promoted through physical activity depends mainly on the current interpretation and application of its concept in the educational community [ 13 ]. Physical literacy challenges the conventional dualism that separates the body from the mind. Instead, it espouses a monistic perspective, asserting the unity of mind and body [ 14 ]. This viewpoint posits that our physical experiences are intrinsically interwoven with our cognitive and emotional states. This monistic stance integral to physical literacy contests the traditional dualistic approach prevalent in education and health, which often segregates physical and mental development into disparate domains, completely marginalizing our body [ 15 ]. By championing the interconnection and mutual dependence of physical and mental facets of human experience, physical literacy fosters a more comprehensive, holistic approach to human development and well-being [ 16 ]. This philosophical underpinning of physical literacy has far-reaching implications for understanding, promoting, and engaging in physical activity [ 17 ]. It implies that physical activity is not merely a means for physical health enhancement but a critical element of overall personal development, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social engagement. Therefore, the interpretation and application of physical literacy in education and health should embody this monistic philosophy [ 18 ]. It necessitates an educational and healthy approach that equally prioritizes physical and mental development, integrating physical activity into the broader context of personal growth and holistic well-being.

The definition of health has been the subject of extensive scholarly focus. According to the World Health Organization, health encompasses a four-dimensional state comprising physical, mental, social adaptability, and moral perfection. Stainton Rogers proposed that health is synonymous with “right living,” spiritual well-being, and divine care [ 19 ]. On the other hand, Schad defined health as an individual’s lifelong capacity to sustain a perfect life [ 20 ]. Interestingly, older Chinese Americans perceive health as a “balance of yin and yang” [ 21 ]. From the perspective of the British Greeks, health is an individual’s ability to work, perform household chores, and fulfill social obligations [ 22 ]. Mckague conceptualized health as a person’s capacity to meet expectations [ 23 ]. In recent years, an emerging viewpoint links health and well-being, suggesting that health is a state where physically fit individuals can effectively manage events and avoid undesirable states [ 24 ]. This perspective is rooted in a vision of human flourishing. In synthesizing these varied definitions, we contend that the essence of health aligns with the World Health Organization’s proposal of a four-dimensional state of completeness.

The realization of individual health requires attention and practice in schools, and leading students to understand the value of physical activity for physical and mental health is the basis for improving physical literacy and is the key to promoting individuals to develop a lifelong philosophy of physical education [ 25 ]. Schools should lead students to experience the enhancement of physical activity for individual well-being and to gain knowledge and understanding of the principles of holistic health to develop a clear position on the value of physical activity in enhancing overall health and well-being [ 26 ]. There are many aspects to maintaining overall health through physical literacy, including respecting the physical nature of the human condition, monitoring physical and mental well-being, building a balanced life comprised of various interests and activities, and finding a balance between new challenges and existing habits. Starting with a well-founded “standpoint” in the field of movement to understand opportunities can bring significant value in assessing personal well-being and making life choices [ 27 ].

Within the educational community, much of the literature addresses the dangers of physical inactivity disorders from the perspective of physical inactivity, with the most frequent being the serious academic consequences of physical inactivity [ 28 ]. The primary reason for the current social concern about physical health and people’s well-being is that due to the lack of physical activity, related physical activity deficiency disorder diseases are gradually appearing in more and more people, creating enormous financial pressure on the healthcare security systems of various countries [ 29 ]. This expense is borne to a large extent by people’s taxes, leading people into a physical activity deficiency disorder-access to health care-financial stress-taxation-decreased well-being circular path [ 30 ].It is evident that technology-driven society has led to an increasingly severe lack of human physical activity, and the lack of physical activity has a significant impact on human culture, healthcare, finance, education, and other fields [ 31 ], which seriously affects the realization of the vision of human prosperity. Less study based on bibliometric analysis has summarized the research progress of physical literacy from recent decades.

Utilizing bibliometric analysis, a methodology grounded in mathematical and statistical techniques, this study undertook a systematic review of articles pertaining to physical literacy over a span of time. The analysis presents comprehensive data on the countries or institutions producing these articles, co-authorship patterns, and the frequency of keywords crucial for deciphering the hotspots and trends in physical literacy research [ 32 ]. Collaboration among countries, authors, and institutions was scrutinized through tables and graphs to better discern the leading contributors to physical literacy research. This approach aids in comprehending the areas that have made significant progress and contributions. Furthermore, an examination of keywords related to physical literacy was conducted. Finally, publication trends in literature associated with physical literacy were explored using line charts. Through this study, our objective is to offer a more comprehensive and intuitive understanding of the shifts in developmental trends and popular research directions within international physical literacy research. This will serve as a valuable reference for shaping the future direction of physical literacy research.

Search strategy

To ensure the authority and scientific validity of the research subjects, the data source for this analysis was the Web of Science core collection (including SCIE/SSCI/A&HCI and ESCI, etc.) as the data source, which derived from Clarivate Analytics, contains more than 12,000 international academic journals and is recognized as a comprehensive and authoritative database [ 33 ].The data search strategy was as follows: (1) Subject="Physical literacy”; (2) Document type= (review or article); (3) Language="English”; (4) Search date = From January 1, 2015 to April 15, 2023. All data were obtained on April 15, 2023. A thematic search was used to balance accuracy and completeness, and a total of 3,439 documents were extracted. VOSviewer software v.1.6.18. was used to analyze the sample literature in order to obtain the evolutionary relationship between hotspots and trends in physical literacy research. For better use in VOSviewer analysis, this study exported the documents as Plain Text File with Record Content of Authors, Title, Source, Times Cited Count, Accession Number, and Abstract. The processing parameters were set as follows: annual interval 2015–2023, time slice of 1 year, and thematic sources as full citations and citation references.

About text preprocessing

VOSviewer software emerges as a robust tool for bibliometric analysis, boasting unique features that negate the necessity for extensive data preprocessing. Its strength lies in the seamless integration of the VOS mapping technique and an advanced viewer into a single, user-friendly computer program. With a distinct emphasis on graphical representation, VOSviewer offers an intuitive display for large bibliometric maps, as demonstrated in constructing a co-citation map involving 5,000 major scientific journals [ 34 , 35 ]. Notably, its efficiency in capturing current trends in science and technology surpasses traditional methods, evidenced by the swift analysis of articles, papers, and patents. Nees Jan van Eck and Ludo Waltman extensively explore the program’s functionality and technical intricacies in their respective papers [ 36 ].

Furthermore, VOSviewer’s inclusion of text mining functionality empowers users to analyze extensive textual data efficiently. Despite encountering some missing values and minimal anomalies, a deliberate decision was made to forgo data preprocessing, aiming to preserve the raw state of the data for a more authentic representation of real-world scenarios. Acknowledging the potential impact of unprocessed data on experiment results, this approach is chosen to provide a more genuine perspective on physical literacy in our study. This decision aligns with VOSviewer’s capabilities, making it a versatile and comprehensive tool for researchers and analysts in bibliometrics.

Date analysis

In analyzing the data, we evaluated the following aspects: (1) Country and institution of publication, analyzing the current status of international research on the topic by country and institution of publication; (2) Years of publication, highlighting the focus of the literature at different time points; (3) Concentration of keywords in the articles, highlighting the most frequently used keywords in the article collection; (4) Authors with the most published articles and the nationality of the authors; (5) WOS categories, analyzing the yearly trend of the literature on the topic of “physical literacy” and the correlation coefficient. (6) WOS categories, analyzing the publishers, publishers, and journals; (7) The annual trend of publications on the theme of “physical literacy” and the correlation coefficient analysis.

Country & institution analysis

The country was selected as the node type and ran to obtain a network map of the current international geographic contributions to physical literacy-related research. In the knowledge map, the size of the circle represents the citation history of the topic, and the larger the circle is, the higher the frequency of the topic’s appearance. First, regarding country analysis in Figs. 1 and 2 , the highest number of articles was 1,070 in the United States, 439 in Australia, 343 in Canada, and 270 in the United Kingdom. In terms of article relevance, the highest U.S., Canada, UK. In summary of the data the United States and the United Kingdom have more significant research on physical literacy and stronger correlations between them, indicating that the two countries have more theoretical and practical achievements in physical literacy research. From the analysis of its theoretical level, the theory of physical literacy was laid by the British scholar Whitehead from the philosophical level. The US research-related theories are primarily based on Whitehead’s theory of physical literacy. At the same time, Canada and Australia have developed many physical literacy assessment tools related to CAPL and PFL, which undoubtedly triggered the research enthusiasm of scholars in related fields.

Country co-existence time analysis map

Country co-existence map

In terms of the institutions that publish articles in Figs. 3 and 4 , higher education institutions are the main force of physical literacy-related research, concentrated in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other developed countries’ top universities, mainly including the University of Sydney, Deakin University, Stanford University, Columbia University, Newcastle University, Flinders University, University of California, University of Ottawa and so on. These universities have a medical and sports science-based. The authors of these articles are primarily students or faculty members of these two fields of study.

Issuing institutions time map

Issuing institutions co-current map

Keyword co-occurrence analysis

Keyword co-occurrence map

Keywords are usually the core content and methodological refinement of a paper, and the frequency of keywords in a field can visually reflect the distribution of research hotspot directions centered on that topic. The keyword network map of current physical literacy-related research was run by selecting the node types as keywords in Fig. 5 ; Table 1 . It can be seen that among the current literature on “physical literacy”, international research mainly focuses on adults, adolescents, and children, including health literacy, health, physical activity, exercise, prevention, behavioral habits, literacy, and other aspects. The time zone analysis chart more clearly shows the evolutionary path of the hotspots of physical literacy research. Although the formal definition of physical literacy is concise, its theoretical research has developed very fast, from the early focus on children and adolescents’ physical activity to the gradual development of individual physical literacy through education and the proliferation of the curriculum, policies, measurement tools, skills and knowledge, after which physical literacy is often associated with issues such as health levels, motivation, public health, physical activity deficit disorder, and human flourishing. Physical literacy and human health have recently become an emerging trend in international scholarship. In terms of changes in research hotspots, over time, research on physical literacy has seen a shift from a focus on individual motor skills to a focus on human health, and overall, physical literacy has become increasingly relevant to physical health as an essential literacy for human health.

Main authors and number of citations

Figure 6 ; Table 2 show the authors who have published more papers in “Physical Literacy”: Tremblay, Mark S. and Longmuir, Patricia E. from Canada with 23 and 24 papers, respectively, and Cairney, John from Australia with 36 papers. From the figure and table, we can learn the number of articles published by the first author of the paper and the number of citations to the article.

The first author of the article co-presents the figure

WOS categories

In the WOS core collection, all literature is divided into 191 categories, of which health and wellness is the category with the most significant number of articles (750), followed by education and teaching research (571), sports science (302), and health care science services (246). Table 3 shows, in addition to the categories with the highest number of articles, the journals and publishers with the highest number of papers published under the title “physical literacy.” The journal with the most articles was the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, with 147 articles. In contrast, the publisher with the highest number of articles was Springer Nature, with 498 articles.

Annual publication trends

Trends in publications

Through the WOS core database, we found 3,446 articles published from 2015 to April 15, 2023, with 2022 being the most published year, with 686 articles published on “physical literacy.” Since 2015, the literature on “physical literacy” has shown an exponential increase with a fit rate of R²=96.74% in Fig. 7 .

This study aimed to analyze current international trends in physical literacy and research hotspots to provide a comprehensive and practical review to the scientific community in a visual manner. A bibliometric study of articles on physical literacy revealed that research on physical literacy and health has evolved rapidly from establishment to emergence. The various definitions of health provide a broad context, yet the concept of physical literacy, a critical aspect of overall health, still needs to be more adequately explored. Although Cairney constructed a circular argument framework based on health, physical literacy, and physical activity, physical literacy has yet to receive much attention [ 37 ]. This may be because the term “health literacy” has been commonly used in the academic community to describe the ability of individuals to maintain their physical health actively. Physical literacy is believed to be considered health literacy in the medical field [ 38 ]. Therefore, this study analyzes the relationship between “Physical literacy” and “Health literacy”. Based on these analyses, we investigate the concept of physical literacy as a meaningful concept based on physical activity and further argue for the circular enhancement pathway of health, physical literacy, and physical activity proposed by Cairney et al.

General information study

The upward trajectory of scholarly output on physical literacy since 2015, peaking in 2022, underscores the burgeoning interest within the academic community. Predominantly, developed nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have been at the forefront of this discourse, as depicted in Fig. 1 . The United States, in particular, exhibits a robust interconnection with international research efforts, signifying its pivotal role in advancing physical literacy scholarship. Regarding institutional contributions, a concentration of seminal work emanates from developed countries, with prestigious entities like the University of Sydney, Deakin University, Stanford University, and Columbia University leading the charge. This confluence of geographic and institutional provenance indicates that developed nations have established a significant lead in physical literacy research, outpacing their counterparts in the developing world, where research in this area is emerging and needs augmentation.

The disparity in research output can largely be attributed to the superior financial and infrastructural provisions available in developed countries, which foster environments rich in high-caliber research institutions, cutting-edge laboratory facilities, and comprehensive funding opportunities for physical activity research. Conversely, developing nations often grapple with resource allocation challenges, necessitating prioritization of immediate societal needs such as infrastructure over research endeavors. Moreover, the academic milieu in developed countries is inherently conducive to generating high-quality research, bolstered by a tradition of frequent academic discourse and international collaborations that enhance both the caliber and the innovative potential of scholarly work on physical literacy.

An analysis of the 3,439 articles published reveals that the top five journals account for 337 publications, representing approximately 11% of the total volume. John Cairney stands out as the most prolific author in the field, extensively exploring the interconnections between physical literacy, health, and physical activity, often employing a cyclical argumentative structure to encapsulate these interdependencies. The International Journal of Physical Literacy and Physical Activity is a frequent publisher in this domain. Meanwhile, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health boasts the highest publication frequency (0.4%), reflecting a health-centric journal’s predilection for physical literacy topics, corroborated by the keyword analysis in Fig. 5 ; Table 1 . The analysis confirms a robust association between the literature on physical literacy and health-related themes, providing insights into the evolving trends and focal areas within the field. In the subsequent sections, the focus will be on the relationship between physical literacy and health.

Physical literacy and physical activity

The development of physical literacy allows participation in lifelong physical activity through improved motor skills and cognitive-emotional abilities [ 39 ]. From a biological perspective, life is how living things exist in the world, and as social beings, individual lives cannot meet the needs of social life. Therefore, to view life from the perspective of physical literacy is to perceive the world in terms of physical activity, to experience the meaning of life, and to relish it. Physical activity is ubiquitous in life; life is the basis of life, and the integrity and health of life depend on the subjective activities of human beings. Physical activity is the basis for human beings to achieve freedom and comprehensive development of life [ 40 ].

At present, the educational concept that physical literacy can effectively promote the healthy growth of youth and that physical activity can make life more meaningful has become a global consensus [ 41 ]. However, physical activity is not synonymous with childhood nor an exclusive term in education, but it is all those human beings do in their daily lives. Physical literacy plays a significant role in human beings’ lifelong physical participation and healthy development [ 42 ]. As actual human beings, we need to see ourselves as an existential whole, which is, in essence, how we interact with the world, that is, when the more physically active we are, the better we perceive the world [ 43 ], physical literacy provides a rational explanation for physical activity, and technological developments in contemporary society have increased the demand for physical activity, and a study has shown that An effective way to improve the level of physical literacy is to reduce the amount of sedentary time [ 44 ], this is because, while physical activity was once used to meet the needs of material life, physical activity nowadays is more about improving the quality of human life in terms of spiritual life, and although the human civilization system constructed by modern society has cultivated the inner qualities of rationality and solidarity, it has also to some extent suppressed the instinct of human beings as animals, which is the ability to be strong through physical skills to demonstrate muscular physique, proficiency, and thus spiritual satisfaction [ 45 ]. Physical literacy, as a lifelong concept, is proposed not only for the healthy growth of youth but also for the vision of prosperity of all human beings; its essence is the development of the individual and the realization of personal potential through physical activity to promote social development. Therefore, this section analyzes how physical literacy and physical activity are developed based on the elaboration of the role of physical literacy in the whole life cycle [ 20 ].

As can be seen from Table 4 , physical literacy, as a concept covering the whole life cycle, has different training modes and influencing factors at different ages. The training process of physical literacy is not an overnight process but a continuous process [ 46 ]. Based on monistic physical literacy, the concept of well-being from the perspective of the whole person is upheld. Exercise mode, mental skills for self-management, and basic health and nutrition knowledge are taken as essential components to achieve physical and mental health [ 47 ]. When carrying out physical activities, every movement must go through the procedure of “perceiving the world-processing information. Therefore, developing physical literacy is realized through constant autonomous human activity, a cognitive process in which we perceive the world through our bodies and judge it through our minds [ 48 ].

Physical activity and physical health

Guiding humans to understand the impact of physical inactivity on physical health remains the most significant challenge for the public health community today [ 49 ]. The World Health Organization has proposed that health is a four-dimensional state of physical, mental, social adaptability, and moral perfection, and whether the definition of health needs to be redefined for better understanding and use under new social conditions, physical activity provides a suitable explanation for health [ 50 ]. In 21st-century society, human beings are gradually domesticated by technology, and society is characterized by technological and instrumental rationality. Developed countries, led by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, have been more severely affected by technology, with the United States experiencing a 32% decline in national physical activity from 1965 to 2009 and emerging countries rapidly following in its footsteps, with China experiencing a 45% decline in national physical activity from 1991 to 2009 [ 6 ].

The Lancet states that as of 2022, global progress in promoting physical activity remains stagnant, with more than 5 million deaths yearly due to physical inactivity [ 51 ]. The neglect of physical activity has led to the trivialization and even denial of physical education that promotes physical and mental health, weakening individual subjectivity and adversely affecting physical, mental, social interactions, and spiritual pursuits. The health benefits of appropriate physical activity, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, are well established [ 52 ]. Obesity, now the most prevalent disease in the world, arose from excessive energy intake and reduced energy expenditure, corresponding to unhealthy dietary habits and chronic physical inactivity, respectively [ 53 ]. It is now established that physical activity effectively reduces the risk of obesity [ 54 ]. It has been shown that dietary habits are associated with sedentary behavior, which is defined as static physical activity with low energy expenditure in a sitting, lying, or supine position, and that chronic sedentary behavior also increases the probability of non-communicable diseases and the risk of death, with sedentary time exceeding eight hours per day increasing mortality by nearly 8% [ 50 ]. The literature shows that active physical activity is strongly correlated with physical health and that regular physical activity is essential to achieving human health and improving quality of life [ 55 ].

At the same time, recent studies have reported that at least 20 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day can reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adults by 16–40% [ 56 , 57 ] and that a physically inactive an active lifestyle will increase the likelihood of chronic non-communicable diseases and increase the risk of cancer, which together raise the risk of death [ 58 ]. An American College of Sports Medicine created a physical activity guide chart for different populations based on the intensity and frequency of physical activity, aiming to promote the development of national physical activity habits and the level of national physical health through this guide [ 59 ]. The level of physical activity determined the mental health of individuals, with higher intensity of daily physical activity being associated with higher mental health scores in subjects [ 60 ]. From the literature related to physical activity and physical health, it is clear that physical activity is a determinant of physical health. If a person misses physical activity, he will be unhealthy or subhealthful [ 50 ]. This can redefine the concept of health from the perspective of physical literacy. That is, health is a complete state based on physical, mental, and social adaptability and morality based on physical activity. The overall improvement of physical literacy can lead to higher physical quality and a healthier lifestyle, thus achieving comprehensive physical and mental health development [ 61 ]. Recently, Japanese scholar INOUE Kosuke proposed a 14.9% reduction in all-cause mortality in people who performed 1–2 walks of 8000 steps or more per week and a 16.5% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality in people who took 8000 steps or more 3–7 days per week based on 10-year-long follow-up data [ 62 ].

German scholar Lars Gabrys et al. suggested that long-term physical activity could improve cardiometabolic health, while abrupt interruptions in regular physical activity would increase the incidence of cardiometabolic disease [ 63 ]. Therefore, understanding physical activity as a determinant of health within this concept of health will be vital to developing effective interventions targeting public health [ 64 ]. Good levels of physical literacy are strongly correlated with maintaining a high frequency of physical activity, with physical literacy being a key indicator of promoting physical activity and health levels in secondary school students to help them maintain an active lifestyle [ 65 ]. A recent study by Caldwell et al. demonstrated that the determinants of physical health in adolescents are their possession of high levels of physical literacy, that these adolescents have a better quality of life, and that promoting physical health through physical activity helps them maintain a low risk of prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in the long run [ 66 ]. Another study showed a negative correlation between the intensity of physical activity and individual BMI. Those who are regularly physically active also have the initiative in body image management [ 67 ].

Physical health and physical literacy

Physical literacy describes “the value and responsibility of an individual’s motivation, confidence, ability, knowledge, and understanding of lifelong physical activity” [ 68 ], which is based on physical activity and integrates physical cognition and experience. Physical literacy holds a unique significance in promoting physical health, enabling individuals with proficient physical literacy to address existing health issues through physical activity and prevent the onset of diseases. In the discourse surrounding physical literacy, it is posited that its ultimate purpose is to cultivate individuals who are both healthy and holistically developed, thereby maximizing human potential [ 69 ]. The concept of physical literacy embraces the diversity of physical activities, acknowledging that not all are explicitly aimed at health outcomes. For instance, although fundamentally functional or mechanical, occupational tasks and everyday activities are pivotal in realizing value and engaging with the world as individuals interact with their environment [ 70 ]. Value is realized in mechanistic or functional physical activities. Within the framework of physical literacy, health-oriented physical activities should not be perceived as a coercive health-centric agenda. Instead, it fosters a comprehensive perspective on physical activity, recognizing multiple dimensions and benefits, with health being just one of many. The conception of health promoted by physical literacy aligns with the pursuit of human flourishing, where even mechanical or functional work is seen as an opportunity to enhance physical capabilities, confidence, and motivation. Physical activity is not solely a pursuit of health but is a pursuit of true freedom by humans as advanced intellectual animals. Physical literacy fosters a sense of bodily freedom, enabling us to navigate the world, interact with others, and fully participate in the variegated experiences of humanity [ 71 ]. Hence, mechanistic or functional physical activities are not the focus of physical literacy. Our bodies evolved to thrive in diverse environments, and advancing human technology aims to achieve greater freedom, not diminishing physical activity [ 2 ]. Our well-being is contingent on the diverse challenges and contexts within the world, and it is through engaging in these physical activities we find meaning in life and fulfill the ultimate aim of physical literacy [ 72 ].

The keyword co-occurrence shows that “health literacy” still appears more frequently in the literature on “physical literacy” because health literacy has been proposed earlier. However, there is a lack of “physical activity” transformation into “fitness activity.” This is because health literacy was introduced earlier but lacks the process of transforming “physical activity” into “fitness activity,” so physical literacy is different from health literacy in Fig. 8 . Chinese scholars such as Zhou Wansheng distinguished the connotation and relationship between physical literacy and health literacy from the perspective of sports ontology, pointing out that physical literacy comes from embodied human beings, which is the unity of body, mind, cognition, and behavior, and is used to describe the physical activities that human beings have to perform throughout their lives. In contrast, health literacy comes from the health education model established by human beings to promote health. Its fundamental purpose is to cultivate healthy human beings [ 73 ]. However, the ultimate purpose of physical literacy is to cultivate physically healthy and well-rounded people. Physical literacy and health literacy are interrelated, mutually influencing, and promoting each other rather than being separate individuals [ 74 ].

Physical literacy and health literacy

For many years, the Western world has been influenced by the Cartesian mind-body dichotomy, where physical activity has become less and less important, and sport is seen as a tool to achieve other purposes [ 75 ]. However, a growing body of research suggests that physical and mental development is integrated and that physical activity contributes to brain development during adolescence, where adolescents experience the world and enhance their perception of it through physical activity while also being able to develop basic motor patterns [ 14 ], which can be developed to lay the foundation for higher levels of physical activity and provide a great contribution to a full and high quality of life [ 76 ].

Therefore, the embodied and motor nature of humans is a critical pathway for our interaction with the world [ 77 ]. Developing physical literacy is fostering human initiative and stimulating individual potential, as well as developing individual self-esteem, self-confidence, and other abilities that have a positive correlation with attitudes toward physical activity [ 78 ], people with higher self-confidence and self-awareness will maintain a more positive attitude toward physical activity, physical literacy is intrinsic to life development, and there is growing evidence that the earlier the level of physical literacy is developed The more beneficial it is for physical activity in later life [ 14 ], a physical literacy development program in the United States that students should be provided with activities that are appropriate for them and allow them to feel the process of activity rather than the outcome [ 63 ], physical literacy is based on existentialism, phenomenology, and mind-body monism as theoretical foundations, and in recent years, physical literacy has been gradually viewed as an indirect factor of health, existential physical literacy, physical activity, physical health pathway, where improved physical literacy leads to more physical activity, and people with good physical literacy continuously engage in physical activity, resulting in positive physical, psychological, and social adaptations that improve individual physical health [ 37 ], based on Whitehead’s definition of physical literacy, physical literacy is true at all ages in humans [ 79 ], from infancy to old age, Hilary A.T., Caldwell et al. verified that physical literacy has a positive correlation with health through a combination of PLAY fun, PLAY self, and PLAY parent [ 80 ], and in Canada, children who met Canada’s own physical activity guidelines showed In Canada, children who met Canada’s national physical activity guidelines showed better fitness, motivation, and confidence [ 81 ], which could prove the purpose of physical literacy, which was proposed to reverse the current decline in human physical activity and to make life more meaningful and address the “existential crisis” people are currently facing [ 7 ].

Our study aims to comprehensively and intuitively map the evolving landscape of international physical literacy research, offering valuable guidance for future research trajectories in this area. By visualizing the data, this study found that since 2015, the trend of exponential growth of articles on the topic of “physical literacy” and the increasing trend of research on physical literacy for health indicates that the international scientific community is increasingly interested in the research on “physical literacy and is gradually exploring the possibility of promoting human health through physical activity and changing the current trend of declining quality of life. This indicates the international scientific community’s growing interest in “physical literacy” and the progressive exploration of physical activity to promote human health and change the declining quality of life. Regarding the sources of the articles, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, BMC Public Health, BMJ Open, and Journal of Medical Internet Research, the most significant number of articles was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, with more than 45 articles. Regarding the keywords of the articles, these papers mainly focused on physical activity, physical literacy, and health literacy, and the number of occurrences of these three keywords was 740, 608, and 258, respectively.

It is evident that physical literacy, as an emerging concept, has become a growing and crucial topic. In recent years, physical literacy has emerged as a scene to discuss the relevance of physical activity and health, to discuss that developing physical literacy can improve various domains (physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional) in which individuals participate in physical activity so that through the improvement of individual physical literacy they can better feel the pleasure and meaningfulness, increasing human confidence in performing physical activity, and thus increasing human attitudes toward having a more active and healthy lifestyle. However, the country mapping shows that the current research on physical literacy is more in developed countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, etc. Most countries have studied physical literacy late and have not combined physical literacy with physical health, or some countries have only used physical literacy to study specific groups (elderly, disabled), which is contrary to physical literacy as an ability that all human beings have. This is contrary to the ability of physical literacy as a human individual. Based on the above, this study further demonstrates a circular pathway between physical literacy, physical health, and physical activity based on previous research.

Despite the insights this study provides into the research hotspots and trends in physical literacy, several limitations exist. This study is confined to the WOS core collection, and while extensive, our analysis may need to be more comprehensive. Secondly, our research is limited to articles written in English as the writing language. Thirdly, the study does not take into account the quality of the publications, a factor that could have an impact on the results. Finally, although the VOSviewer is a professional bibliometric analysis software tool that provides objective analysis, there may be some subjective deviation as researchers may have different perceptions and interpretations of the same content.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Fang, X., Zhang, Z. Hotspots and trends in health-oriented physical literacy research: a visual analysis based on the WOS database. BMC Public Health 24 , 1480 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18951-7

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Outbreak Preparedness for All. April 12, 2024. Outbreak Atlas, a new book aimed at "armchair epidemiologists" and public health professionals alike, aims to clarify and demystify outbreak preparedness, response, and recovery, with the help of case studies from disease outbreaks across the globe.
Research
Health research entails systematic collection or analysis of data with the intent to develop generalizable knowledge to understand health challenges and mount an improved response to them. The full spectrum of health research spans five generic areas of activity: measuring the health problem; understanding its cause(s); elaborating solutions; translating the solutions or evidence into policy ...
Health Policy
Health, Behavior and Society. Rajiv N. Rimal, PhD, MA, works globally on social and behavior change interventions with a focus on women and children's nutrition and well-being. He adopts a social norms-based approach to address health inequities in low- and middle-income countries.
NIH Research Matters
Study defines major genetic form of Alzheimer's disease. May 14, 2024 — In a study of people primarily of European descent, those with two copies of a certain gene, APOE4, predictably began to develop the underlying abnormalities of Alzheimer's disease as early as age 55.
Emerging Issues in Public Health
2021 has been an unprecedented year in public health. We entered the second calendar year of dealing with a pandemic that has devastated global health infrastructures, widened health inequalities, and exposed health system vulnerabilities. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly set back Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well Being) progress, in particular ...
Need ideas for research topics?
WHO Topics for public health, environmental health, and social determinants of heath. According to the CDC Prevention Status Report of 2016, the 10 most important public health problems and concerns are (listed alphabetically): Air pollution. Chemical safety. Children's environmental health. Climate change and human health. Electromagnetic fields.
Emerging Topics in Public Health Research
Emerging Topics in Public Health Research. Filter by. Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy among Essential Workers. Principal Investigator. Friedman, Lee S. Funding Source. CDC/ NIOSH U60OH010905. Climate and Health Institute. Principal Investigator.
Qualitative research applied to Public health: new topics and insight
This research topic promotes research on qualitative research focusing on: • Prevention/mitigation of risks in communicable, neglected, or high-prevalence diseases. • Social and environmental determinants, • Nutrition, physical exercise, and quality of life. • Expectations of populations on the promotion of physical, mental, sexual and ...
200+ Public Health Research Topics & Ideas for Papers
Public health research topics are areas of study within the larger field of public health. They cover diverse issues like community health, disease prevention, and health policies. These research topic ideas help us understand and improve global healthcare. They can explore various factors like environmental impacts on public overall wellbeing ...
Hotspots and trends in health-oriented physical literacy research: a
In terms of the institutions that publish articles in Figs. 3 and 4, higher education institutions are the main force of physical literacy-related research, concentrated in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other developed countries' top universities, mainly including the University of Sydney, Deakin University, Stanford University, Columbia University, Newcastle University, Flinders ...
Public Health Genomics at CDC
Genomics public health capacity. CDC funded six projects in 2022 and 2023 to strengthen public health capacity by introducing elements of human genomics into both public health surveillance and applied research. Topics include the following: Assessing the impact of genetics in the control of two infectious diseases: tuberculosis and Ebola virus.
Health Topics
The Health Topics A-Z Index lists topics with relevance to a broad cross-section of CDC.gov's audiences. The items are representative of popular topics, frequent inquiries, or have critical importance to CDC's public health mission. The index will continue to evolve as additional topics are added. Last Updated May 15, 2024. Source:
Science and research priorities: Public Health Agency of Canada
Identification of science and research gaps helps mobilize knowledge generation for priority public health topics and promote collaborative science and research activities to support decision-making for a credible and evidence-informed public health system. Funders can use these priorities to support research that carries out the ...
An anti-inflammatory curbs fungi spread causing ...
Anti-inflammatory drugs as faux-biotics. The team explored 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) as a safer way to control C. albicans in the gut. 5-ASA, also known as mesalamine, is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The team tested 5-ASA in mice treated with ...
Bridging Policy and Research for Suicide Prevention in the ...
Overview. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are organizing a two-day symposium on suicide prevention , a key priority of the Americas' public health agenda.The symposium will provide an opportunity for countries in the Region and relevant actors to discuss advances and gaps in suicide research, evidence-based interventions, and how ...
research@BSPH
Systematic and rigorous inquiry allows us to discover the fundamental mechanisms and causes of disease and disparities. At our Office of Research (research@BSPH), we translate that knowledge to develop, evaluate, and disseminate treatment and prevention strategies and inform public health practice.Research along this entire spectrum represents a fundamental mission of the Johns Hopkins ...
LGBTQI+ People and Substance Use
For referrals to substance use and mental health treatment programs, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit www.FindTreatment.gov to find a qualified healthcare provider in your area. For other personal medical advice, please speak to a qualified health professional.

151+ Public Health Research Topics [Updated 2024]

Overview of Public Health Research Topics

Key Considerations in Selecting Public Health Research Topics

Top 151+ Public Health Research Topics

Health Policy

Environmental Health

Infectious Diseases

Chronic Diseases

Maternal and Child Health

Health Behavior and Promotion

Global Health

Community Health

Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

Mental Health

Health Disparities

Public Health Education

Digital Health

Health Economics

Innovations in Public Health

Food Safety and Nutrition

Substance Abuse

Occupational Health

Disaster Preparedness and Response

Cancer Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Cardiovascular Health

Social Determinants of Health

Genomics and Public Health

Public Health Ethics

Health Communication

Nutrigenomics

Public Health and Artificial Intelligence

Health Disparities in Aging

Research Methodologies in Public Health

Challenges and Opportunities in Public Health Research

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Target product profile to detect "Dracunculus medinensis" presence in environmental samples