Abstract

Environmental justice (EJ) emphasizes the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, ensuring 
that all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, can live in a healthy environment. This 
review examines the complex interplay between environmental hazards and health inequalities, highlighting how 
low-income, minority, and Indigenous populations disproportionately bear environmental risks such as air and 
water pollution, hazardous waste exposure, and climate-related stressors. Drawing on historical, global, and local 
case studies, it explores mechanisms linking environmental exposures to adverse health outcomes, including social 
determinants of health, regulatory gaps, and community vulnerability. The review also emphasizes methodological 
approaches for assessing environmental inequities, including spatial mapping, epidemiological analysis, and 
community-based participatory research. Policy interventions, co-benefits of equitable strategies, and community 
empowerment emerge as critical levers to reduce disparities and promote health equity. This synthesis 
underscores the urgent need for inclusive, evidence-informed policies that integrate fairness, procedural justice, 
and local engagement to mitigate environmental health inequities worldwide.