Investigating Environmental Justice and Health Equity Through Socioeconomic, Geographical, and Policy-Driven Determinants of Well-Being

Environmental justice and health equity are fundamentally intertwined, reflecting how social, economic, and political structures shape unequal exposures to environmental hazards and disparities in health outcomes. This review synthesizes interdisciplinary evidence to examine how socioeconomic status, geographic location, and policy decisions influence environmental risk and population well-being. Low-income and marginalized communities disproportionately face polluted air, unsafe water, hazardous waste, and climate-related threats, resulting in elevated rates of chronic disease, mental health burdens, and intergenerational harm. Spatial analyses reveal persistent geographic “hotspots” of environmental injustice, while policy failures—including weak regulation, fragmented governance, and limited community participation—perpetuate inequitable conditions. Case studies from the Global North and South highlight the systemic nature of these injustices and the transformative role of grassroots advocacy. Methodological advances such as GIS mapping, participatory research, and interdisciplinary models have strengthened understanding but data gaps remain, particularly in low-resource settings. Future progress requires justice-centered climate adaptation, accountable governance, inclusive decision-making, and investment in vulnerable communities. By integrating environmental protection with social equity, societies can create healthier, more resilient systems that uphold human rights and environmental sustainability. Addressing environmental injustice is both a scientific necessity and a moral imperative essential to global well-being. .