Global Health Equity and Sustainable Development

Global health equity and sustainable development is one of three research directions of public health research at the University of Gävle. The research area addresses transnational public health challenges that maintain inequalities and hinder sustainable development.

Through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, this research explores health and well-being across the lifespan to develop equity-driven, sustainable solutions. The research examines how food security/insecurity, nutrition and lifestyle, violence, crime, and structural inequalities shape health disparities across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

It also investigates how urban development and climate change affect neighborhood well-being, and how corporate responsibility, sustainable human resource practices, medical tourism, and leadership influence population health within the broader context of sustainable development. These complex challenges are analyzed using advanced quantitative, spatial, and qualitative methods to generate robust and actionable insights.

Advancing global health equity extends beyond disease treatment; it requires transforming the systems that sustain inequality. This research promotes resilience, adaptability, and accountability, helping health systems and communities withstand crises and emerge stronger. By embracing complexity rather than seeking quick fixes, the research critically engages with the structural roots of inequity. Its guiding vision is a world where health serves as a shared foundation for human flourishing, and where sustainable development is inseparable from equity and care.

The research line contributes directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Goals 3, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 13).

Currently, several PhD students are working on developing knowledge and practice within the Global Health Equity and Sustainable Development program, strengthening its diverse research agenda and global impact.

Researchers within the direction

Anne-Sofie Hiswåls, Public Health Sciences
Michelle Rydback, Business Administration