This book qualitatively and quantitatively examines the relationships between the constructed environment, health and social vulnerability. It demonstrates that spatial disintegration is often intertwined with health and social inequalities, and therefore a multidisciplinary approach to urban health is essential in order to analyze the impact that psycho-social-environmental factors can have on objective, and perceived health and to investigate the inequalities in healthcare and medical assistance processes. Empirical relationships have been observed between urban environment, social vulnerability and health in different contexts, however there is still a lack of standardized tools that allow us to gain a clear understanding of how health inequalities and daily life are generated. In order to address this issue, a national network of active research groups has been created to draft and develop a prototypical analysis infrastructure to facilitate empirical studies aimed at shedding light on the complex relationships between health disparities, socio-environmental and economic distress, as well as personal and collective health.

Given the interest in achieving meaningful, fair and lasting solutions to health inequalities, and the current lack of an analytical system, there is the need for new multidisciplinary approaches oriented toward the quality of life within a eco-social model of health.

Providing an overview of the methodological approaches discussed, this book will appeal to researchers. At the same time it allows those working in local and government social care, healthcare and administrative institutions to gain insights into best practices in urban contexts.

Helps researchers and practitioners to grasp the complexity of the relationships between healthcare inequality, socio-environmental and economic distress Highlights various measures implemented in different urban and social contexts Written by leading experts in the field

Inhalt
Urban public health, a multidisciplinary approach.- Participatory practices in the healthcare policies: opportunities and potential drifts.- Cities and wellness: different points of view.- A community-based action research in a compound in the Metropolitan Area of Rome, Italy, an experience of urban health.- Tackling urban health inequities through action-research: a multi-level strategy by the Centre for International and Intercultural Health (CSI).- Climate Change and Urban Health: New Challenges in Regenerating a Rationalist Neighborhood in Ascoli Piceno.-Participatory Local Welfare in Trieste: a laboratory for local welfare activities.- Recovery.Net: a multilevel approach to mental healthcare transformation.- Methodological Comparison of Different Projects.- Conclusions.