# Mapping the Landscape of Environmental Health Literacy: Trends, Gaps, and Future Directions

## TL;DR

This paper maps the field of Environmental Health Literacy, highlighting trends, gaps, and future research directions to improve health and environmental decision-making.

## Contribution

The study identifies emerging trends and significant gaps in Environmental Health Literacy research using bibliometric analysis.

## Key findings

- There is a significant increase in Environmental Health Literacy research since 2018.
- Key gaps exist in education, health risks, and climate-related health literacy.
- Themes like social justice and participatory research are gaining attention in the field.

## Abstract

Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) empowers individuals and communities to understand and make informed decisions about health and the environment. This study uses bibliometric indicators to map the field, identifying patterns, emerging trends, and gaps that offer opportunities for future research. We analyze 152 articles from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The first publication was recorded in 2012, and there was a significant increase in output since 2018. The literature emphasizes environmental exposures and public health, with a growing focus on social justice and participatory research. While areas such as environmental exposure, environmental health, health literacy, and participatory research are well established, significant gaps remain in emerging and cross-cutting themes, including education, health risks, environmental/climate justice, community engagement, communication, and climate-related health literacy. These issues are increasingly central to debates on the intersection of health, environment, and social equity, as they are key to advancing environmental justice, reducing health inequalities, and empowering vulnerable populations to make informed decisions, contributing to the development of more inclusive and effective public policies.