Advanced Technologies, Methods and Materials for Human Health and Well-Being: A Transcultural and Interdisciplinary Perspective

Editorial Introduction

Abstract

This special issue of mediAzioni, titled Advanced Technologies, Methods and Materials for Human Health and Well-Being, emerges from a shared commitment to exploring the human, cultural, and communicative dimensions of healthcare in an era of technological transformation. It reflects the research and dialogue developed within the Tuscany Health Ecosystem (THE) Project “Advanced Technologies, Methods and Materials for Human Health and Well-Being”. Since 2022, the editors and the majority of the contributors to this volume have been conducting research in THE’s Spoke 3, subprojects 3 and 4, which focus respectively on human-centered innovation in health technologies and on communication, mediation, and care practices in intercultural and interdisciplinary contexts. Other contributors collaborated within Spoke 5, which focuses on technology transfer, dissemination of research results and targeted training for personnel involved in the ecosystem of healthcare. The issue brings together perspectives from linguistics, translation and interpreting studies, anthropology, philosophy, ethics, and health communication, aiming to foster an integrated reflection on health as a relational, transcultural, and socially embedded practice. While advanced technologies increasingly mediate interactions between doctors, patients, and caregivers, the human dimension of care, as rooted in language, narrative, and empathy, remains indispensable. This collection thus invites readers to reconsider health and well-being through a transcultural and interdisciplinary lens that bridges scientific, humanistic, and ethical approaches.