Environmental
degradation has emerged as a critical determinant of public health outcomes
globally, contributing substantially to the growing burden of both communicable
and non-communicable diseases. Exposure to polluted air, unsafe drinking water,
toxic chemical substances, and inadequate sanitation systems disproportionately
affects vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, thereby
reinforcing existing health inequities (Petropoulou, 2025; Lahariya et al.,
2025) [29, 42]. These environmental risks are closely intertwined
with socioeconomic disparities and human rights concerns, underscoring the
necessity for integrated and rights-based governance frameworks (Bhattacharya,
2023) [9].
Value education and environmental awareness are fundamental in
fostering ethical responsibility, sustainable behaviors, and community
participation in environmental protection initiatives (Agarwal, 2018) [1].
Concurrently, advances in information technology have significantly enhanced
environmental monitoring, health surveillance, and risk communication, enabling
more timely and evidence-based public health interventions (Topol, 2019) [57].
This review critically synthesizes multidisciplinary literature on environment
and human health, with particular emphasis on human rights, value education,
women’s and child welfare, HIV/AIDS vulnerability, and the role of information
technology. Drawing on selected Indian case studies, the paper highlights
structural challenges and policy gaps while emphasizing the importance of
participatory, technology-driven, and equity-oriented approaches. The review
concludes that integrated policy frameworks combining environmental protection,
social justice, and technological innovation are essential for advancing health
equity and sustainable development.
