In recent years, digital media and technology have been increasingly used by local, regional, national or international authorities to engage the public in health and policy debates. This has led to both new challenges and new opportunities for democratic participation in public discourse. In light of recent pandemics – and in preparation for future health crises – there is an urgent need to explore how digital democracy approaches can help us to better prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
We invite empirical studies, reviews and theoretical reflections that address these issues from a variety of inter- or transdisciplinary perspectives, including (but not limited to) public health, policy, sociology, and ethics. Contributions should offer insights into how the public can be engaged in public health decision-making processes, how to harness digital technologies to support these processes, and what challenges need to be addressed.

We are particularly interested in Original Articles, Reviews, and Theory & Concept articles that discuss the following topics:
• How digital democracy can be used to engage the public in public health emergencies
• The advantages, shortcomings, and risks of digital democracy approaches to public health emergencies
• How digital democracy can improve emergency preparedness in light of the Sendai Framework
• Case studies of digital democracy in action in public health emergencies.

The Call is open from 07 February 2023 until 30 November 2023.

IJPH publishes Gold Open Access. Article processing charges (APCs) apply. The IJPH’s GLOBEQUITY program offers a limited number of APC waivers for first authors from low- and middle-income countries.
IJPH double-blind peer-review and author guidelines apply. Submitted manuscripts must fully comply with IJPH rules for article type, length and format (please consult the information for authors on the IJPH website).

Please submit the complete manuscript.
In case of acceptance after peer review, articles will be published in the online special issue approximately 3 weeks after acceptance.

Contact: IJPH Editorial Office: ijph@swisstph.ch

Keywords: Digital democracy, public engagement, public participation, public health emergencies, public health ethics, risk communication, health information, crisis management, prevention and control, public health crisis, infodemiology, infoveillance, infodemic