Environmental Health in the Era of Climate Crisis and Urbanization: A Review of Determinants, Risks, Technology, and Sustainable Governance

Abstract

Environmental health is increasingly determined by the convergence of air pollution, water and sanitation limitations, waste management, climate change, urbanization, and social inequalities that shape unequal exposure and vulnerability. This article aims to synthesize the latest evidence on the relationship between environmental determinants and public health risks and identify governance, technology, mitigation-adaptation, and stakeholder participation strategies that support sustainable environmental health, with special attention to the context of developing countries and Indonesia. The research uses qualitative literature review with thematical-interpretive synthesis of peer-reviewed articles, especially in the period 2020 to 2026 which are searched in a directional manner through databases and scientific platforms.   The results of the synthesis show that environmental health risks are interrelated: exposure to particulates and chemical pollutants is associated with respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases; unsafe WASH services increase the risk of infectious diseases; new sewage and contaminants expand the path of exposure; Meanwhile, climate change amplifies the dangers of heat, vector-based diseases, and pressures on water and food. The most consistent response requires prevention at source, strengthening of basic services, mitigation-adaptation integration, sensor- and data-based monitoring, cross-sectoral governance, and equitable community participation. The article proposes an integrated environmental health model based on risk, justice, and planetary health as a policy framework and future research agenda