The journey towards better healthcare sustainability in Asian nations demands a comprehensive investigation into the impact of urban governance, poverty, and female literacy on infant mortality rates. This study undertakes a rigorous exploration of these key factors to pave the way for evidence-based policy interventions, utilizing data from a panel of six selected Asian countries: Pakistan, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, spanning the years 2001 to 2020. The findings reveal that adequate sanitation facilities, higher female literacy rates, and sustained economic growth contribute to a reduction in infant mortality. Conversely, increased poverty levels and limited women’s autonomy exacerbate the infant mortality rates observed in these countries. The Granger causality analysis validates the reciprocal relationship between urban sanitation (and poverty) and infant mortality rates. Furthermore, the study establishes a causal relationship where female literacy rates Granger-cause infant mortality rates, and conversely, infant mortality rates Granger-cause women’s autonomy in these countries. The variance decomposition analysis indicates that sustained economic growth, improved female literacy rates, and enhanced women’s empowerment will likely impact infant mortality rates in the coming decade. Consequently, in low-income regions where numerous children face potentially hazardous circumstances, it is imperative to allocate resources towards establishing and maintaining accessible fundamental knowledge regarding sanitation services, as this will aid in reducing infant mortality rates.

With the deepening of the teaching reform work, the core literacy education concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. While bringing innovative development opportunities and indicating the development direction for the junior high school geography curriculum reform, it also puts forward higher requirements for junior high school geography curriculum teaching activities. Under this situation, junior high school geography teachers should effectively cultivate students' comprehensive thinking ability in the teaching of geography courses, help junior high school students develop their thinking ability, and become qualified socialist builders and socialist successors as soon as possible. Based on this, this paper deeply analyzes the practical strategies for cultivating students' comprehensive thinking ability in the teaching of junior high school geography courses, for the reference of colleagues in the education field.

Rapid population growth and inadequate adherence to scientific and managerial principles in urban planning have intensified numerous challenges, pushing major Iranian cities toward instability. Tehran, as the capital and one of the most urbanized regions in the country, faces significant sustainability threats that require immediate attention. These challenges are not unique to Tehran but represent a broader issue faced by rapidly urbanizing cities worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Addressing such challenges is critical to fostering sustainable development on a global scale. While urban sustainability has been extensively studied, limited research has focused on the indicators of urban instability and their tangible impacts on sustainable urban planning. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying and analyzing key factors contributing to urban instability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, with Tehran serving as a representative case. The findings reveal that economic instability is driven by uncertainty in economic policies, fluctuating housing prices, non-standard housing conditions, income disparity, unemployment, and cost of living pressures. Environmental instability is exacerbated by climate change, urban heat islands, floods, transportation mismanagement, energy insecurity, pollution, and insufficient green infrastructure. Social instability arises from limited social interaction, unequal access to services, weak community participation, social harms, and diminished urban safety and welfare. By framing these local challenges within a global context, the study underscores the interconnectedness of these dimensions and highlights the necessity for integrated, evidence-based approaches that combine local insights with global best practices. The findings aim to contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development by offering actionable insights and strategies that can be adapted and implemented in other rapidly urbanizing cities. This research serves as a guide for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders worldwide, emphasizing the importance of holistic and resilient urban strategies to address the multifaceted challenges of sustainability and instability.

This study investigated the influence of infrastructure spending, government debt, and inflation on GDP in South Africa from 1995 to 2023. Motivated by the need for sustainable growth amid fiscal and inflationary pressures, this research addresses gaps in understanding how these factors shape economic performance. The primary objective was to assess these variables’ individual and combined effects on GDP and offer policy recommendations. Using an ARDL model, the study explored long- and short-term relationships among the variables. Results indicate that infrastructure spending positively impacts GDP, promoting long-term growth, while government debt hinders GDP in both short and long runs. Moderate inflation supports growth, but excessive inflation poses risks. These findings imply the need for targeted infrastructure investments, strict debt management practices, and inflation control measures to sustain economic stability and growth. Policy recommendations include expanding public investment in productive infrastructure, implementing fiscal rules to prevent unsustainable debt levels, and maintaining inflation within a controlled range. Ultimately, these policies could help South Africa build a resilient, balanced economy that addresses both immediate growth needs and long-term stability.