This Research Topic is a follow on from the Topic Editors' successful volume I. The term “health literacy” was coined by Ratzan et al. in the 1970s providing the minimal health education required in schools, however this term is almost new and in the early phase of development. Though many attempts have been made in the past to define health literacy, WHO construed it as “the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health.” Health literacy not only focuses on the individual behavior oriented communication but also on the various determinants of health such as environmental, social, and political factors, thus it is ahead in the concept of health education. If health education methods go beyond the bounds of “information diffusion” and bring about interaction, participation, and critical analysis, such kind of approach will lead to improved health literacy, personal aid, and social benefit by enabling adequate community action and contributions to the advancement of social capital.

The work environment can be considered one of the main determining factors that can influence the mental health of workers, especially as it regards the structural and organizational conditions to which the worker is subjected. This work environment has positive effects when work provides satisfaction and well-being or negative effects provoked by situations of stress, inadequate working patterns and schedules, possible situations of abuse and/or harassment, etc., which may contribute to the appearance of alterations in the mental health of the worker.

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted many areas of our lives, including mental health. Lockdown and physical distancing measures have been one major effective intervention to counter the spread of the virus and reduce the impact of the disease. However, they have negatively impacted mental well-being and behaviors, either triggering the onset of new psychiatric symptoms and diseases or amplifying pre-existing ones. The pandemic and lockdown measures have also been associated with reduced access to treatment and facilities all over the world, further worsening mental health outcomes. The impact on mental health, although universal, varied between nations. Cultural and societal variables, including norms, values, religion, and stigma have played an important role in shaping COVID-19-related mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, grief, psychosis, and addiction. These sociocultural factors have also molded how mental health interventions are tailored and provided. Highlighting the intertwining relationship between the pandemic, mental health, and sociocultural factors are essential to managing emerging mental health symptoms adequately.

The 5th World Congress on Genetics, Geriatrics, and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (GeNeDis 2022) focuses on the latest major challenges in scientific research, new drug targets, the development of novel biomarkers, new imaging techniques, novel protocols for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, and several other scientific advances, with the aim of better, safer, and healthier aging. This volume focuses on the sessions from the conference on Neuroscientific Advances.

Health inequity not only has tremendous economic burden, but also impairs the foundations of social justice in any society. The current state of scientific knowledge supports the existence of significant inequities and disparities between different social groups. A significant part of our understanding of the health inequities lies in the realm of physical diseases, though mental health’s nature makes it more vulnerable to disparities. Mental health issues are sensitive matters that require additional trust, cultural appropriateness, acceptance, and support from healthcare providers and healthcare systems. As a result, not only mental health patients are at risk of disparities that exist in physical diseases, but they also face other challenges such as social stigma, language barriers, and fear of treatment that could result in disparities. Considering all these, we need to understand where the inequities are in the realm of mental health and who is being affected the most. We also need to know the existing policies and their effectiveness and efficiency. And with all these, then, we could plan how to decrease mental health disparities and provide welfare to all.