Journal of Foresight and Public Health

This study explores the ethical, social, and policy implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 32 experts in AI research, public health policy, bioethics, and healthcare administration. Participants were recruited through online announcements and professional platforms, ensuring a diverse representation of viewpoints. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo software through thematic analysis, following an inductive coding approach to identify key ethical, social, and policy concerns. The analysis revealed three main themes: ethical scenarios, social scenarios, and policy scenarios. Ethical concerns included bias in AI models, privacy and data security risks, and trust in AI-driven healthcare, with participants emphasizing the need for bias mitigation strategies and transparent AI governance. Socially, the findings highlighted AI’s impact on the healthcare workforce, disparities in AI accessibility, and the evolving patient-doctor relationship, raising concerns about public trust and the digital divide. Policy challenges centered on the lack of standardized AI regulations, unclear accountability mechanisms, and the need for global collaboration in AI governance, with participants advocating for clearer compliance frameworks and cross-border AI policy alignment. While AI holds transformative potential in public health, its successful integration requires ethical safeguards, inclusive social adaptation, and comprehensive policy frameworks. Addressing algorithmic bias, strengthening data security, fostering public trust, and establishing robust governance structures are essential for ensuring that AI-driven public health interventions align with ethical principles, social equity, and regulatory standards.

This study explores future scenarios of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with 19 participants, including experts in public health, epidemiology, healthcare policy, and AMR research. Participants were recruited through online announcements and professional platforms. Theoretical saturation was used to determine the sample size. Data were collected through virtual interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo software. A grounded theory approach was applied, with open and axial coding used to identify key themes related to AMR governance, public health preparedness, technological developments, and societal factors. The study identified four major themes influencing AMR’s future trajectory: policy and governance challenges, public health preparedness gaps, technological and scientific barriers, and societal and behavioral factors. Policy inconsistencies, weak enforcement mechanisms, and inadequate surveillance systems were key governance issues. Public health preparedness remained insufficient, with limited healthcare capacity, delayed policy responses, and inadequate community engagement in AMR mitigation. Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and antimicrobial alternatives, were seen as promising but hindered by regulatory and financial constraints. Societal drivers of AMR included antibiotic misuse, pharmaceutical marketing influence, and public misconceptions. Participants emphasized the need for coordinated policy interventions, improved surveillance, and increased investment in research and innovation. Addressing AMR requires a globally coordinated response that integrates governance reforms, enhanced public health preparedness, technological advancements, and behavior change strategies. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, increasing funding for AMR initiatives, and promoting international collaboration are essential for mitigating future risks.

This study explores the challenges in implementing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This qualitative research employed an exploratory design, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 26 participants, including policymakers, healthcare administrators, public health professionals, and frontline providers. Participants were recruited through online announcements and platforms, and interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo software to identify key challenges in UHC implementation. The results revealed four major challenges in UHC implementation. Financial barriers were a significant concern, with high out-of-pocket expenditures, insufficient funding, and inefficient resource allocation limiting healthcare accessibility. Infrastructure and service delivery challenges included a shortage of healthcare professionals, unequal distribution of facilities, and inconsistencies in care quality. Policy and governance issues such as weak regulatory frameworks, political instability, and fragmented implementation strategies were identified as key impediments to UHC progress. Socio-cultural and behavioral factors, including public mistrust in health systems, low health literacy, and cultural barriers, further restricted healthcare utilization. These findings highlight the multidimensional nature of UHC challenges, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policy interventions. Achieving UHC requires overcoming financial, infrastructural, policy, and socio-cultural challenges through strategic reforms. Sustainable healthcare financing, enhanced infrastructure investment, governance improvements, and culturally sensitive public health strategies are essential for ensuring equitable healthcare access. Future research should focus on evaluating financing models, digital health solutions, and governance frameworks to enhance UHC implementation globally.

This study aims to explore how public health professionals perceive and adapt to emerging health threats. This study employed a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with 24 public health professionals recruited through online announcements and professional platforms. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interviews were conducted virtually, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo software. Open coding, axial coding, and selective coding were applied to identify key themes related to professionals' perceptions, adaptive strategies, and barriers in responding to health threats. The results revealed three primary themes: perception of emerging health threats, adaptation strategies, and challenges in crisis response. Participants reported that their perception of threats was influenced by past experiences, institutional preparedness, and exposure to misinformation. Adaptation strategies included institutional policy adjustments, professional training, technological integration, and community engagement. However, participants also faced significant challenges, including policy and governance limitations, resource shortages, public resistance, and ethical dilemmas. The findings suggest that while public health professionals demonstrate strong adaptive capacities, systemic barriers continue to hinder their ability to implement effective responses. Understanding public health professionals' perceptions and adaptation mechanisms is crucial for improving crisis preparedness and response strategies. Strengthening institutional support, enhancing professional training, and addressing misinformation can contribute to more effective public health interventions. Future research should explore long-term workforce resilience and the role of emerging technologies in supporting adaptation.

This study aims to examine the opportunities and challenges of e-health implementation in public health systems, focusing on emerging digital health technologies, their impact on healthcare accessibility and efficiency, and the barriers that hinder their widespread adoption. This narrative review employs a descriptive analysis method, synthesizing literature from 2020 to 2025 on e-health advancements, policy frameworks, and implementation challenges. Data sources include peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, and institutional white papers. The study categorizes findings into key themes, including telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth), electronic health records (EHRs), artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, blockchain for health data security, and virtual reality (VR) for medical training. The analysis also examines barriers such as privacy concerns, digital inequality, interoperability challenges, regulatory constraints, and resistance to change. E-health technologies have significantly improved healthcare accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas, by expanding telemedicine services and enabling mobile health applications. AI-driven diagnostics and big data analytics have enhanced early disease detection and public health decision-making, while blockchain technology has shown potential for strengthening data security and interoperability. However, concerns over cybersecurity threats, regulatory inconsistencies, and disparities in digital literacy continue to hinder the full integration of e-health. Additionally, healthcare providers' reluctance to transition to digital platforms and the high costs of implementation pose challenges to scalability. While e-health presents transformative opportunities for improving public health systems, its successful implementation requires addressing key challenges related to data security, policy standardization, and equitable access. Future efforts should focus on developing regulatory frameworks, enhancing digital health infrastructure, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to ensure sustainable and inclusive digital health solutions.

This study explores how social media will shape public health narratives over the next decade. A qualitative scenario-based approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 30 experts in public health communication, digital media strategy, and health policy. Participants were recruited through online announcements and professional platforms, ensuring diverse expertise. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes related to social media's evolving role in public health narratives, with a focus on misinformation management, AI-driven content curation, crisis communication, and regulatory challenges. The analysis revealed that social media plays an increasingly central role in public health communication by enabling rapid crisis responses, facilitating digital health campaigns, and fostering community engagement. However, experts highlighted concerns about misinformation, algorithmic biases, and ethical AI use in digital health messaging. The study also found that interactive public health education, social listening, and citizen science are emerging trends that will shape future public health narratives. Additionally, disparities in digital access and corporate influences on health communication were identified as ongoing challenges that require strategic interventions. Participants emphasized the need for regulatory frameworks, stronger fact-checking mechanisms, and inclusive digital literacy initiatives to improve public health messaging on social media. The findings suggest that while social media offers significant opportunities for advancing public health communication, it also presents risks that must be managed through improved governance, ethical AI implementation, and public engagement strategies. Future public health efforts must focus on misinformation control, AI transparency, and digital equity to ensure that social media contributes positively to global health outcomes.

This study aims to explore the strategic role, challenges, and future potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in managing public health crises. This study employed a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with 22 participants, including policymakers, healthcare administrators, private sector executives, and emergency management specialists. Participants were recruited through online announcements and professional platforms. Theoretical saturation was achieved, ensuring comprehensive data collection. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software, applying thematic analysis to identify key themes related to the effectiveness, barriers, and future strategies of PPPs in public health crisis management. The results highlighted the strategic role of PPPs in expanding healthcare infrastructure, optimizing resource allocation, and integrating technological solutions such as AI-driven health monitoring and shared data systems. However, significant barriers, including regulatory constraints, financial misalignment, and trust deficits, were identified as major challenges to effective implementation. Participants emphasized the need for adaptive policy frameworks, sustainable financing models, and cross-sector collaboration to enhance the resilience and efficiency of PPPs. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives and improved crisis communication strategies were identified as crucial for strengthening public-private collaborations in health emergencies. Public-private partnerships have the potential to significantly improve public health crisis management, but their effectiveness is contingent on overcoming regulatory, financial, and trust-related barriers. Future efforts should focus on enhancing policy flexibility, fostering sustainable financial models, and leveraging technology to strengthen crisis response mechanisms. Strategic interventions that align organizational priorities and promote transparency will be critical for optimizing the role of PPPs in future public health emergencies.

This study aims to examine emerging occupational health risks in evolving workplace environments and explore strategic interventions to enhance worker well-being, safety, and resilience. A narrative review using a descriptive analysis method was conducted to synthesize recent literature on occupational health challenges, including technological advancements, workplace transformations, and psychosocial risks. Sources published between 2020 and 2025 were reviewed from peer-reviewed journals, policy reports, and health organization databases. The study focused on three primary dimensions: physical risks, psychosocial risks, and environmental and biological hazards. Additionally, policy and regulatory considerations were analyzed to assess gaps and future recommendations for workplace health protections. The study highlights the impact of automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization on occupational health, identifying increased cognitive workload, digital fatigue, and workplace stress as critical emerging risks. The rise of remote work and gig-based employment has led to concerns regarding ergonomic health, social isolation, and job insecurity. Additionally, climate change and emerging pathogens pose significant health threats to workers in various industries. Current occupational health regulations fail to comprehensively address these challenges, particularly in non-traditional employment settings. Advances in workplace health strategies, including AI-driven health monitoring, flexible work policies, and mental health support programs, show promise in mitigating risks, but their ethical implementation requires careful regulatory oversight. Occupational health risks are evolving alongside technological and workplace transformations, necessitating proactive policies, employer-driven interventions, and enhanced regulatory frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates workplace safety, mental health support, and ethical AI governance. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of automation and climate-related occupational risks, ensuring that workplace health policies remain adaptive and inclusive.