A Conceptual Framework for the Implementation of Healthy Construction in Sub-Saharan Countries: Gabon as a Case Study

Healthy building concepts are increasingly recognized as important for improving occupant health and well-being, yet empirical evidence on their understanding and implementation in sub-Saharan African contexts remains limited. This study provides an exploratory assessment of construction professionals’ awareness and self-reported application of healthy building concepts in Gabon. Using a structured questionnaire survey of 45 construction professionals, including architects, engineers, and contractors, the study examines sources of awareness, patterns of application across project stages, and health-related dimensions prioritized in practice. The results indicate high levels of conceptual awareness within the surveyed group, but uneven and context-dependent application. Implementation is strongly concentrated at the design stage, while continuity during construction and operation remains limited. Professionals tend to prioritize tangible and measurable dimensions such as lighting, materials, air quality, and thermal comfort, whereas psychosocial and community-related aspects receive less attention. Based on these empirical patterns, the study proposes an empirically informed and context-sensitive framework structured around six strategic pillars to support the gradual integration of healthy construction practices in Gabon. Rather than offering a prescriptive model, the framework serves as an analytical reference to inform future research, professional capacity building, and policy dialog. Given the exploratory nature of the study and its reliance on self-reported data, the findings should be interpreted as indicative rather than generalizable.