Mapping urban health: a systematic review of frameworks and indicators for measuring social determinants in European cities

Addressing social determinants of health is essential to reducing urban health inequalities. This systematic review identified frameworks and indicators used to measure these determinants in European cities to inform a wellbeing indicator framework for local government in Ireland. Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA reporting guidance, five databases were searched for English-language, peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024. Data were extracted using Covidence, and indicators were grouped for descriptive synthesis. Seventy-four studies met the inclusion criteria, identifying 120 urban health and wellbeing indicators and 29 frameworks, including 10 with an explicit urban health focus. Indicators covered income and deprivation, housing, environmental conditions, healthcare access and social cohesion, alongside health outcomes and behavioural risk factors. Differences in indicator definitions, measurement approaches and data sources limited comparability. The findings support a common core of clearly defined indicators, combined with flexibility to reflect local priorities and data availability. This evidence can inform urban wellbeing monitoring and the development of indicator frameworks for local government in Ireland and other European settings.