Public Health Literature Review Topics

Public health shapes daily life, from vaccination schedules and food safety to air quality alerts and heatwave planning. As a team at TopicSuggestions, we write and teach literature reviews, and we know a clear topic can make the reading, framing, and synthesis far easier for students on a deadline. Today we will share focused, researchable public health literature review topics that help you build a clear argument and connect evidence to practice.

Literature Review Topic Ideas on Public Health

We organize the list by core domains—epidemiology, health policy, environmental and occupational health, health equity, global health, mental and behavioral health, maternal and child health, infectious disease, chronic disease, informatics, and emergency preparedness—with each topic scoped to be manageable for a course assignment. We keep the prompts concise so you can choose fast and get straight to the best sources.

1. We co-design trauma-aware algorithmic decision support with families in child protective services

– How do we embed lived-experience input into model objectives without reproducing surveillance harm?
– How do we compare case outcomes when we retain worker veto over algorithmic scores versus forced compliance?
– How do we audit disparate impact while centering family-defined notions of safety and dignity?
– How do we measure shifts in worker stress, moral injury, and time allocation after deployment?

2. We build community-owned data trusts to govern social work case data for mutual aid networks

– How do we operationalize fiduciary duty and veto power for clients over secondary data use?
– How do we quantify empowerment, service uptake, and harm incidents before and after trust formation?
– How do we prototype consent flows in low-literacy, multilingual contexts without gatekeeping access?
– How do we negotiate interoperability with state systems while preventing extractive analytics?

3. We design receiving-community agreements for climate relocation as a core social work practice

– How do we co-create soft-landing packages (housing, schools, clinicians) with both sending and receiving communities?
– How do we track psychosocial outcomes for relocated households versus in-place adaptation supports?
– How do we prevent climate gentrification and displacement in receiving towns through social work-led safeguards?
– How do we formalize reparative benefits for historically burdened groups within relocation protocols?

4. We prototype “repair justice” casework for deactivated gig workers across platforms

– How do we integrate algorithmic ombuds practice with legal aid and mental health support?
– How do we model household-level income shocks and recovery trajectories after account reinstatement?
– How do we co-develop standardized evidence packs with workers to contest opaque platform decisions?
– How do we evaluate collective case conferencing as a mechanism for faster, fairer resolutions?

5. We retool child welfare investigations through a neurodiversity-affirming practice lens

– How do we redesign interview protocols to reduce pathologizing of autistic and ADHD communication patterns?
– How do we test sensory-safe home visit adaptations and measure their impact on escalation and removals?
– How do we train supervisors to distinguish neglect risk from executive-function challenges and what changes in outcomes follow?
– How do we center neurodivergent caregivers as co-trainers and co-researchers within agencies?

6. We deploy extended-reality restorative circles to replace exclusionary school discipline

– How do we co-create VR/AR facilitation standards that minimize trauma triggers and access barriers?
– How do we compare outcomes (suspensions, belonging, recidivism) with traditional circles and punitive approaches?
– How do we engage families and community elders as remote participants without digital harm?
– How do we ensure culturally sustaining content and representation in immersive environments?

7. We stitch mobile micro-hubs using e-scooters and cargo bikes to reach youth experiencing homelessness

– How do we design geofenced service radii that optimize safety, privacy, and encounter rates?
– How do we measure uptake of benefits, wound care, and ID restoration delivered through micro-hubs?
– How do we govern location data ethically while coordinating with public health and libraries?
– How do we train peer navigators to operate mobile units and evaluate cost-effectiveness versus vans?

8. We trial biodegradable IoT wearables for community-led elder heatwave response

– How do we secure consent and trust while deploying ephemeral sensors in diverse cultural settings?
– How do we balance false alarms versus missed events, and what social work workflows respond to each?
– How do we compare mutual aid activation times and morbidity against phone-tree or door-knock models?
– How do we sunset data responsibly post-heat season to prevent surveillance creep?

9. We co-create intergenerational TikTok storytelling as a social work intervention in immigrant families

– How do we scaffold co-authored short-form videos to reduce acculturative stress and conflict?
– How do we mitigate platform risks (harassment, algorithmic exposure) while maintaining authentic voice?
– How do we operationalize platform analytics as outcome measures without incentivizing performative behavior?
– How do we transfer the intervention to non-smartphone households through offline analogs?

10. We implement timebanking credits to stabilize kinship caregiving in foster care systems

– How do we record and verify caregiving hours in ways that respect privacy and avoid bureaucratic burden?
– How do we convert credits into tangible supports (respite, transport, tutoring) and track placement stability?
– How do we prevent inequities where families with less free time accrue fewer benefits?
– How do we align timebank governance with agency policy and union agreements without co-optation?

11. Microplastic inhalation exposure among workers in indoor vertical farms

We propose to characterize airborne microplastic types and concentrations in vertical farms and link them to respiratory and systemic biomarkers. Research questions: (a) What are the size, polymer, and concentration profiles of airborne microplastics in indoor vertical farms? (b) How do worker exposure levels correlate with spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, and systemic inflammatory markers? (c) Which engineering controls most effectively reduce exposure? We will conduct environmental sampling (cascade impactors, air filters), personal samplers for workers, cross-sectional clinical testing, and intervention trials of air filtration/ventilation changes.

12. Effects of algorithm-driven HVAC control on nocturnal cardiovascular physiology in older adults

We will examine whether adaptive, occupancy-predictive HVAC algorithms alter sleep quality and nocturnal blood pressure among older residents. Research questions: (a) Does algorithmic temperature modulation change sleep architecture and nocturnal BP variability? (b) Are there differential effects by socioeconomic status or housing quality? (c) Can simple algorithm adjustments reduce adverse cardiovascular markers? We plan a randomized crossover trial in homes with smart thermostats, continuous BP and actigraphy monitoring, and qualitative interviews about comfort and acceptability.

13. Medication access and acute-care utilization in gig-delivery service “pharmacy deserts”

We aim to study how reliance on gig-economy delivery patterns creates pockets with reduced timely access to medications and consequent health outcomes. Research questions: (a) Where do gig-delivery inefficiencies create delayed medication access? (b) Do residents in these zones have higher rates of medication nonadherence and acute hospitalizations for chronic conditions? (c) What policy or logistical interventions mitigate these gaps? We will merge spatial delivery-log data with pharmacy claims, electronic health records, and community surveys, followed by agent-based simulation of intervention scenarios.

14. Perinatal neurodevelopmental effects of maternal exposure to urban green roofs

We will investigate whether living near or working on green roofs during pregnancy influences infant neurodevelopment via altered air pollution, temperature, and maternal stress. Research questions: (a) Is maternal exposure to green-roof microenvironments associated with infant cognitive and motor outcomes at 12 months? (b) Which mediators (PM2.5 reduction, temperature buffering, stress biomarkers) explain observed associations? (c) Are effects modified by socioeconomic and housing factors? We will assemble a prospective birth cohort with high-resolution exposure mapping (drone/satellite, on-site sensors), biospecimens, and standardized developmental assessments.

15. Long-term equity effects of biometric workplace wellness competitions

We will assess whether incentivized biometric competitions at work widen or narrow health inequities over multiple years. Research questions: (a) Do biometric competitions differentially change health behaviors and outcomes by baseline income, job role, or chronic disease status? (b) Do they produce unintended stress or discrimination among low-performing employees? (c) What program designs promote equitable benefits? We plan a longitudinal quasi-experimental design across multiple employers, difference-in-differences analyses using health records and claims, and in-depth qualitative interviews.

16. Contribution of DIY community biology labs to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance

We aim to evaluate whether and how community biohacker labs can ethically and reliably contribute AMR data to public health surveillance systems. Research questions: (a) What are the current lab practices and biosafety gaps in DIY bio communities relevant to AMR detection? (b) Can low-cost sequencing and standardized protocols produce surveillance-quality AMR data? (c) What governance models support safe, community-engaged AMR reporting? We will perform participatory audits, pilot standardized sampling/sequencing workflows, compare results to public-lab benchmarks, and co-design governance with stakeholders.

17. Mental health effects of “algorithmic ghosting” by telehealth triage systems in adolescents

We will study how opaque automated triage/appointment systems that delay or abruptly end contact affect adolescent trust and help-seeking. Research questions: (a) What is the prevalence of algorithmic non-response or discontinuity (“ghosting”) in adolescent telehealth encounters? (b) How does algorithmic ghosting influence subsequent help-seeking, symptom trajectory, and therapeutic alliance? (c) Which design features reduce harm and increase engagement? We will analyze platform logs, conduct longitudinal surveys of adolescent users, and run A/B testing of transparency and follow-up protocols.

18. Trade-offs between urban photovoltaic canopy deployment and population vitamin D & circadian health

We will quantify whether large-scale PV canopy installations in public spaces reduce UVB exposure enough to affect vitamin D status and circadian entrainment in local populations. Research questions: (a) How much do canopy configurations alter ground-level UVB and daylight exposure patterns? (b) Are there measurable changes in vitamin D biomarkers or sleep timing among frequent canopy-area users? (c) What canopy design or supplemental strategies mitigate unintended health impacts? We plan microclimate modeling, wearable UV and light exposure monitoring, blood assays for 25(OH)D and circadian markers, and design simulations.

19. Influence of culturally adaptive AI dietary assistants on nutritional outcomes in immigrant communities

We will evaluate whether AI-driven dietary coaching that incorporates cultural food practices improves diet quality and reduces disparities. Research questions: (a) Does a culturally adaptive AI assistant improve adherence to dietary recommendations versus non-adaptive guidance? (b) Does adaptation reduce mistrust and increase sustained behavior change? (c) What biases in food databases or NLP undermine cultural relevance? We propose a randomized pilot with usability testing, diet recalls, biometric outcomes, and algorithmic audits for cultural and linguistic fairness.

20. Effects of active noise-cancellation systems in open-plan schools on cognitive development and hearing health

We aim to test whether classroom-level active noise-cancellation technologies improve attention, learning outcomes, and hearing measures among primary-school children. Research questions: (a) Do ANC systems reduce classroom noise exposure sufficiently to change standardized attention and academic scores? (b) Are there unintended auditory processing or speech-perception consequences? (c) What cost-effectiveness and equity implications arise for implementation in under-resourced schools? We will run a cluster randomized trial with acoustical measurements, cognitive batteries, audiometry, and process evaluation in diverse school settings.

21. Indoor phytobiome exposures in urban apartments and respiratory morbidity

We propose to review how indoor plant-associated microbial communities affect asthma and allergic disease in dense urban housing.
We ask: 1) Do common houseplants alter airborne microbiota in ways that increase or decrease respiratory symptoms? 2) Are effects modulated by building ventilation, pet ownership, or cleaning practices? 3) Which plant care practices correlate with beneficial versus harmful microbial signatures?
We outline how to work: We will map interdisciplinary literature (microbial ecology + epidemiology), extract data from indoor air and microbiome studies, compare methods for sampling plant-associated microbes, and synthesize evidence linking taxa or functional genes to respiratory outcomes; we will identify gaps for targeted cohort or intervention studies.

22. Algorithmic scheduling in the gig economy and cardiometabolic health of shift workers

We propose to examine whether algorithm-driven, opaque scheduling systems create unique cardiometabolic risks beyond traditional shift work.
We ask: 1) How does schedule unpredictability from apps relate to sleep, diet, and glycemic control? 2) Do workers with app-mediated schedules show higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes, or obesity after controlling for hours worked? 3) What mitigations (e.g., schedule transparency policies) show evidence of reducing risk?
We outline how to work: We will synthesize labor economics, occupational health, and sleep literature; extract observational and intervention evidence; assess measurement approaches (passive smartphone data, wearable actigraphy, employer schedule logs); and propose frameworks for longitudinal cohort and natural experiment evaluations.

23. Augmented reality (AR) health apps as vectors of vaccine misinformation among adolescents

We propose to review whether AR overlays and gamified health content amplify or mitigate vaccine misinformation exposure in teens.
We ask: 1) Do AR health experiences change perceived credibility of vaccine claims compared with static content? 2) Which design features (interactivity, avatars, rewards) correlate with misinformation acceptance? 3) What educational AR intervention elements show promise in countering false narratives?
We outline how to work: We will integrate HCI, communication, and public health literature; code studies by AR modality and persuasive features; evaluate measured outcomes (knowledge, intent, behavior); and recommend experimental and field-testing designs with adolescent participatory co-design.

24. Decentralized household wastewater sensors for early outbreak detection: technical and equity implications

We propose to assess evidence on small-scale wastewater sensors installed at households or buildings for community infectious disease surveillance.
We ask: 1) What is the sensitivity and specificity of household-scale wastewater monitoring for respiratory and enteric pathogens? 2) How do privacy, consent, and equity concerns manifest in decentralized surveillance deployments? 3) How could decentralized data streams integrate with public health reporting systems effectively and ethically?
We outline how to work: We will review engineering, epidemiologic validation, legal/ethical literature; compare sensor technologies and sampling protocols; summarize community acceptability studies; and propose evaluation metrics and governance frameworks for pilots.

25. AI-driven targeted advertising for unhealthy commodities and health equity outcomes

We propose to explore how machine-learning ad targeting affects consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods across sociodemographic groups.
We ask: 1) Does precision advertising exacerbate exposures to unhealthy commodity marketing in marginalized populations? 2) What is the evidence linking targeted ad exposure to changes in purchasing and consumption behaviors? 3) Which regulatory approaches have been evaluated to mitigate harms from targeted ads?
We outline how to work: We will pull evidence from marketing, algorithmic fairness, and public health law; synthesize observational and experimental studies using ad exposure metrics from platform APIs and consumer panels; and propose study designs (randomized ad-exposure trials, causal inference with ad delivery logs) for future research.

26. Chronic low-level nocturnal blue-light exposure from personal devices and metabolic-endocrine rhythms

We propose to review long-term effects of low-intensity evening/overnight blue-light exposure on circadian hormones and downstream metabolic disease risk.
We ask: 1) What cumulative exposure thresholds associate with altered melatonin, cortisol rhythms, or insulin sensitivity? 2) Do effects differ by age, chronotype, or environmental lighting? 3) Which mitigation strategies (filters, behavioral interventions) demonstrate measurable endocrine benefits?
We outline how to work: We will combine chronobiology trials, observational sleep studies, and device-exposure assessments; extract exposure–response estimates and measurement methods (photometric logs, wearables); and recommend standardization for future longitudinal biomarker studies.

27. Health and social capital trajectories after decommissioning coal-fired power plants in host communities

We propose to synthesize impacts on community health, employment, and social cohesion following plant closures.
We ask: 1) How do closure timelines influence changes in respiratory disease, mental health, and social determinants? 2) What community-led transition strategies correlate with better health outcomes? 3) Which surveillance and evaluation approaches best capture long-term recovery or decline?
We outline how to work: We will integrate environmental epidemiology, economic redevelopment, and community resilience literature; perform comparative case syntheses of closures across regions; extract indicators used and propose mixed-methods evaluation toolkits for future monitoring.

28. Occupational health risks in automated vertical farming and controlled-environment agriculture workers

We propose to review physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial hazards unique to vertical farms and roboticized greenhouses.
We ask: 1) What respiratory, musculoskeletal, ergonomic, and exposure risks are reported among workers in controlled-environment agriculture? 2) How does automation change risk profiles compared with traditional agriculture? 3) What occupational surveillance and mitigation strategies have been evaluated?
We outline how to work: We will synthesize engineering controls, exposure assessment, and occupational epidemiology studies; map hazard pathways (pesticide aerosols, humid environments, repetitive robotic interface tasks); and recommend surveillance indicators and intervention studies for employers and regulators.

29. Mental health impacts of intra-urban climate micro-displacement from recurrent flooding

We propose to explore psychological and social effects of repeated short-distance relocations within cities after localized climate events.
We ask: 1) How does repeated micro-displacement differ from long-distance migration in mental health sequelae? 2) Which social supports buffer distress among families repeatedly moved between neighborhoods? 3) What surveillance methods capture cumulative trauma and community-level mental health trends?
We outline how to work: We will combine disaster mental health, urban sociology, and climate adaptation studies; review cohort and qualitative work on displacement; suggest metrics for cumulative displacement exposure and recommend longitudinal mixed-methods designs.

30. Efficacy of civic technology participatory budgeting platforms in reallocating local public health resources

We propose to assess whether digital participatory budgeting tools change health-related spending priorities and population health indicators.
We ask: 1) Do participatory budgeting platforms increase funding to preventive public health services in underserved neighborhoods? 2) What user-interface and engagement features correlate with equitable participation? 3) How do outcomes compare between digitally mediated and traditional participatory processes?
We outline how to work: We will integrate literature on civic tech, public finance, and health policy; extract evidence from program evaluations and case studies; analyze participation and allocation data where available; and propose quasi-experimental designs to measure downstream health effects.

31. HVAC biofilm aerosolization in high‑rise residential buildings — what are the public‑health impacts?

We propose a focused literature review on microbial biofilms in HVAC systems and their role in episodic aerosolized exposures in multiunit high‑rise residences.
We ask: What microbial taxa and toxins are repeatedly identified in HVAC bioaerosols from residential high‑rises?
We ask: How are measured HVAC bioaerosol exposures associated with respiratory and allergic outcomes in residents?
We ask: What building‑operation factors (intermittent ventilation, seasonality, maintenance regimes) modify aerosolization risk?
We outline methods: we will conduct a scoping/systematic search across indoor‑air, building engineering, and epidemiology databases; extract study designs, sampling methods, health endpoints; assess study quality and synthesize evidence gaps for targeted environmental sampling and longitudinal health studies.

32. Microplastic additive leaching from reusable food containers — exposure and population health implications

We plan a literature review linking materials science (additives/plasticizers), migration studies, and human exposure assessment for reusable containers.
We ask: What chemicals leach from commonly used reusable container materials under real‑world use (heat, abrasion, detergents)?
We ask: What biomarkers or exposure estimates exist for populations frequenting reusable container use (food vendors, delivery workers, households)?
We ask: Which health endpoints have plausible mechanistic links to chronic low‑level exposure to these additives?
We outline methods: we will integrate laboratory leaching studies, toxicokinetic models, biomonitoring data, and observational epidemiology to identify priority chemicals and recommend targeted exposure and toxicology studies.

33. Mental health outcomes among gig‑economy workers under algorithmic management across income settings

We will synthesize quantitative and qualitative evidence on algorithmic control (ratings, surge pricing, automated deactivation) and worker mental health across low‑, middle‑, and high‑income countries.
We ask: How does algorithmic management correlate with anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal ideation in platform workers?
We ask: What mediating factors (income volatility, lack of labor protections, social support) explain cross‑country differences?
We ask: Which intervention or policy evaluations exist to mitigate mental‑health harms among gig workers?
We outline methods: we will perform a mixed‑methods systematic review, extracting effect sizes where available, mapping qualitative themes, and recommending standardized outcome measures for future evaluations.

34. Digital contact tracing and health equity for linguistically marginalized communities

We propose reviewing design, uptake, and outcomes of digital contact‑tracing apps with a focus on linguistic accessibility and equity.
We ask: How have language barriers affected uptake, accuracy, and secondary harms (e.g., privacy concerns, exclusion) among non‑dominant language speakers?
We ask: What technical or community‑engagement adaptations improved equity in contact‑tracing effectiveness?
We ask: What gaps exist in evaluation designs for measuring differential impacts by language proficiency?
We outline methods: we will search public‑health, HCI, and implementation literature; code features (multilingual UI, community outreach), synthesize effectiveness and equity outcomes, and produce guidance for inclusive digital public‑health tools.

35. Effectiveness and equity of heat‑health early‑warning systems (HHEWS) for informal settlements

We aim to review evaluations of HHEWS with explicit attention to informal housing contexts and vulnerable subpopulations.
We ask: What evidence exists that HHEWS reduce morbidity and mortality in informal settlements?
We ask: Which communication channels and thresholds are most effective and equitable for residents with limited formal services?
We ask: What barriers (legal, social, infrastructural) limit HHEWS implementation and uptake in informal contexts?
We outline methods: we will identify case evaluations, grey literature, and qualitative studies; extract outcome measures and equity indicators; and synthesize best practices and research priorities for community‑driven warning systems.

36. Antimicrobial‑coated textiles in healthcare and downstream antimicrobial‑resistance selection in hospital wastewater

We plan to review the chain from deployment of antimicrobial textiles (uniforms, bedding) to environmental release and selection pressure for resistance in wastewater microbiomes.
We ask: What antimicrobials are applied to textiles, at what concentrations, and how readily do they leach during laundering?
We ask: What evidence links textile‑derived antimicrobials to changes in wastewater resistomes or selection of clinically relevant resistance genes?
We ask: What mitigation strategies (material alternatives, laundering protocols) reduce downstream AMR risk?
We outline methods: we will integrate material‑science leaching studies, wastewater metagenomic surveillance, and infection‑control literature to assess plausibility and identify targeted environmental monitoring studies.

37. How do climate‑driven vector range shifts interact with urban green infrastructure to alter human exposure risk?

We will examine the joint effects of shifting vector distributions (mosquitoes, ticks) and the expansion of urban green infrastructure on human exposure in cities.
We ask: How does the design and maintenance of green roofs, parks, and urban wetlands modify habitat suitability for expanding vectors?
We ask: What epidemiologic evidence links specific green‑infrastructure features to increased or decreased vector‑borne disease risk under climate change scenarios?
We ask: What planning guidelines exist that reconcile biodiversity/climate benefits with vector‑risk mitigation?
We outline methods: we will review entomology, climate‑modeling, urban‑planning, and public‑health evaluation studies; map evidence gaps and propose interdisciplinary surveillance and design experiments.

38. Mobile‑money financing of community health worker (CHW) incentives — effects on retention, performance, and health outcomes

We intend to synthesize evaluations of mobile‑money interventions as a mechanism to pay and incentivize CHWs and the downstream service delivery and health impacts.
We ask: What effects do mobile‑money payment systems have on CHW retention, timeliness, and fidelity of service delivery?
We ask: How do different incentive designs (performance‑based vs. guaranteed pay) delivered via mobile channels affect equity and health outcomes?
We ask: What implementation challenges (network access, gendered phone ownership, taxation) influence effectiveness?
We outline methods: we will review randomized, quasi‑experimental, and implementation studies; extract cost, equity, and outcome metrics; and synthesize practical guidance for digital financing in low‑resource settings.

39. Chronic low‑level exposure to 5G‑frequency electromagnetic fields and sleep architecture — what does the evidence say?

We propose a systematic appraisal of human sleep studies, animal models, and mechanistic research specific to 5G frequency ranges and chronic low‑intensity exposure.
We ask: What polysomnography or actigraphy studies have evaluated sleep stage changes associated with 5G‑range exposures?
We ask: What biological mechanisms are proposed and supported for electromagnetic modulation of sleep physiology?
We ask: Which vulnerable groups (children, shift workers) show differential susceptibility in existing studies?
We outline methods: we will search biomedical, bioelectromagnetics, and toxicology literature; assess exposure characterization rigor; grade evidence strength; and identify high‑priority experimental and epidemiologic studies.

40. Algorithmic prioritization in organ‑transplant waitlists — public‑health impacts, equity, and transparency

We will review algorithmic allocation tools, their empirical performance, and equity consequences for transplant waitlist prioritization.
We ask: How do algorithmic scoring systems affect waitlist outcomes and disparities by race, socioeconomic status, or geography?
We ask: What transparency, auditing, or governance mechanisms have been evaluated to detect and correct bias in allocation algorithms?
We ask: What are the measurable public‑health consequences (mortality, graft survival, access) of shifting from clinician‑based to algorithm‑based prioritization?
We outline methods: we will synthesize ethics, health‑services, and computer‑science evaluations; extract performance, fairness metrics, and policy responses; and recommend multidisciplinary evaluation frameworks and simulation studies.

41. Urban nocturnal light exposure and circadian-linked metabolic diseases

We investigate how chronic exposure to artificial night light in urban neighborhoods correlates with incidence and progression of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. We ask: 1) How does streetlight and residential nocturnal light intensity associate with population-level metabolic disease prevalence? 2) How do indoor light habits interact with outdoor nocturnal lighting to affect circadian biomarkers? 3) Which vulnerable subpopulations show the strongest associations (e.g., shift workers, elderly)? We outline a method: we conduct a systematic review of epidemiologic and experimental studies, extract measures of light exposure (satellite, on-street lux, self-report), circadian biomarkers, and metabolic outcomes, and synthesize by study design and vulnerability subgroup. We assess measurement methods, bias from confounding (sleep, socioeconomic status), and gaps for future longitudinal and intervention research.

42. Pet-human microbiome exchange in dense urban households and public health implications

We examine the role of domestic animal microbiota in shaping human gut, skin, and respiratory microbiomes in high-density housing. We ask: 1) What patterns of microbial sharing exist between pets and humans within multi-unit dwellings? 2) How does this exchange modify allergy, asthma, and antimicrobial resistance risk? 3) How do building characteristics (ventilation, shared spaces) mediate transmission? We perform a scoping review of metagenomic and epidemiologic studies, categorize evidence by microbial taxa and health endpoints, and appraise methods for distinguishing shared environment versus direct transmission. We recommend standardized sampling protocols and integration of building-environment data for future cohort studies.

43. Microfinance-linked conditional cash transfers and maternal mental health outcomes

We explore whether integrating mental health conditionality into microfinance or cash transfer programs improves maternal depression and anxiety. We ask: 1) Do conditional cash components tied to participation in psychosocial care reduce perinatal depression more than unconditional transfers? 2) Which implementation models (group-based vs. individual) produce sustained mental health benefits? 3) What unintended harms or dependency dynamics emerge? We conduct a systematic review of randomized and quasi-experimental evaluations, extract intervention content, mental health measures, and follow-up durations, and synthesize effect sizes and implementation fidelity. We evaluate equity impacts by socioeconomic status and propose design recommendations for pragmatic trials.

44. Community energy insecurity as a determinant of chronic disease management

We assess how inconsistent access to home energy (heating, cooling, refrigeration, electricity) affects management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, COPD, and cardiovascular disease. We ask: 1) How does energy insecurity interfere with medication storage, thermal stress, and use of medical devices? 2) What is the association between energy shutoffs or seasonal energy gaps and acute exacerbations or hospitalizations? 3) Which policy interventions (subsidies, emergency protections) mitigate health impacts? We map literature from public health, energy policy, and social work, extract quantitative associations and qualitative mechanisms, and rate evidence strength for causal pathways. We highlight measurement approaches and policy evaluation designs.

45. Algorithmic bias in tele-triage systems and downstream health disparities

We evaluate how automated symptom checkers and tele-triage algorithms may introduce or amplify disparities in access, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We ask: 1) What evidence exists of differential accuracy across race, language, age, and socioeconomic groups? 2) How do data inputs (self-reported symptoms, wearables) bias outputs? 3) What governance and auditing practices reduce harm? We perform a literature review across computer science and health, extract validation study designs, subgroup performance metrics, and governance frameworks, and synthesize recommendations for equitable algorithm deployment and continuous monitoring.

46. Public health nutritional consequences of rapid plant-based meat adoption in low-income populations

We analyze how shifts from animal to plant-based meat alternatives affect micronutrient intake, food security, and culinary practices among low-income consumers. We ask: 1) Do plant-based alternatives maintain adequacy of iron, B12, zinc, and protein in vulnerable diets? 2) How do cost, availability, and culinary literacy influence substitution patterns? 3) What are potential population-level benefits and risks for micronutrient deficiency trends? We synthesize dietary intake studies, market analyses, and community nutrition program evaluations, assess heterogeneity by cultural dietary patterns, and identify research needed for fortification and education interventions.

47. Noise pollution from shared mobility devices (e-scooters, e-bikes) and urban stress-related health outcomes

We investigate whether the proliferation of dockless shared mobility devices contributes to urban noise exposure and stress-related outcomes (sleep disturbance, cardiovascular markers). We ask: 1) What are measured noise profiles of shared mobility activity in different urban settings and times? 2) What associations exist between device-related noise and self-reported sleep disturbance or physiological stress? 3) How effective are regulatory approaches (curfews, designated lanes) at reducing noise exposures? We review acoustic monitoring studies, health outcome research, and municipal policy evaluations, and propose integrated measurement protocols combining noise mapping with health surveys or wearable biomonitoring.

48. Neighborhood-level green roof installations and population mental health equity

We assess whether implementing green roofs at block or neighborhood scale produces measurable improvements in mental health and whether benefits are equitably distributed. We ask: 1) Do green roofs reduce anxiety and depression indicators among nearby residents compared with non-greened rooftops? 2) How do visibility, accessibility, and biodiversity of roofs modulate benefits? 3) Which community engagement strategies maximize equitable mental health returns? We conduct a review of urban greening, ecological, and mental health outcome studies, extract design features and evaluation methodologies, and recommend quasi-experimental and mixed-methods approaches to test causal impacts and distributional effects.

49. Workplace AI surveillance and its effects on employee mental health inequalities

We examine how algorithmic monitoring (performance scoring, keystroke tracking, break detection) affects stress, burnout, and differential impacts across occupational groups. We ask: 1) What is the relationship between levels of algorithmic surveillance and measures of anxiety, depression, and job satisfaction? 2) Do surveillance effects disproportionately harm marginalized workers or precarious employees? 3) What organizational policies mitigate harmful mental health outcomes? We synthesize occupational health, labor, and technology studies, categorize surveillance modalities, extract mental health outcomes and moderators, and propose a research agenda for longitudinal workplace studies and policy evaluation.

50. Remote-first schooling and adolescent sexual and reproductive health behaviors

We explore how sustained remote or hybrid schooling models influence adolescent sexual behaviors, access to sexual health education and services, and STI rates. We ask: 1) How did shifts to remote schooling alter timing and contexts of sexual initiation and partner networks? 2) How did remote delivery of sexual health education affect comprehension and service linkage? 3) What changes occurred in adolescent STI testing and contraception access during remote-first periods? We compile education, public health surveillance, and qualitative studies, assess changes in service utilization and behavior patterns, and identify methodological strategies for isolating schooling modality effects from pandemic-related confounders.