Mapping fast-food access near schools in Singapore: insights for healthier urban planning

August 25, 2026

Childhood obesity is a growing concern globally, influenced not only by individual choices but also by the environments in which children live and learn. In dense urban settings like Singapore, the widespread availability of fast-food outlets near schools may expose children to unhealthy food options daily. We investigate the spatial clustering of fast-food outlets around schools across Singapore, focusing on how the pattern varies by neighbourhood income and school type, revealing significant socio-spatial health inequalities.

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Are Indian schools in the North District of New Delhi compliant with the regulation to restrict access to unhealthy food?

August 25, 2026

We looked at the Indian School Children and Junk Food Prohibition regulation in a part of New Delhi. Do schools comply with this well-thought-out regulation prohibiting sales and promotion of food with added sodium, sugar, saturated fat, and trans-fat? Our study looks at the prevention obesity and malnutrition and covers local school environments too.

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Food environment and hunger: a study on food insecurity in northeastern Brazil

August 23, 2026

Establishments that primarily sell ultra-processed foods were twice as concentrated at 800m from the households when compared to 1600m, demonstrating the excess of supply of these products closer to individuals in food insecurity. The low availability of natural/minimally processed food establishments in the two metrics evaluated, portrays the low supply of foods directly associated with health, well-being and quality of life.

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Designing healthy edible cities

August 21, 2026

This study in Tehran examined how barriers, tree height, street proximity, and fruit type affect metal content. Results showed sites taller than 10 meters exhibited the highest cadmium levels, while barriers and proximity to streets influenced lead levels. Understanding these factors is crucial for designing safe edible green infrastructure.

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Maximising the health-promoting potential of public urban green spaces for sustainable urban development and public health, evidence from COVID-19

July 12, 2026

Prior studies have highlighted the vital role of urban green spaces in human health, showcasing benefits like stress reduction and improved well-being. Yet, the Covid-19 pandemic sparked increased interest in these spaces without any examination of how research priorities shifted. Understanding these changes is crucial as it may bias perspectives and policies, potentially affecting public health. Thus, uncovering shifts in research focus during and after the pandemic is imperative for informed planning and management.

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Uncovering the evidence base of the COVID-19 pandemic in informal settlements

July 12, 2026

In informal settlements, the impact of COVID-19 can be alarmingly severe due to the lack/limited access to infrastructure, densely populated living conditions, and pre-existing socio-economic inequalities. There are limited studies that synthesise evidence from the literature on the COVID-19 lived experiences of informal settlement dwellers, often overlooked in scientific studies and policy-making initiatives. There any knowledge gaps that require further research to enhance the development of context-specific policies towards effective pandemic planning and response. How can we build resilience and sustainable livelihoods in informal settlements during public health emergencies?

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