From Satellites to Self-Report: A Scoping Review of Methods for Assessing Artificial Light at Night Exposure and Perception in Public Health Research

Background: Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is a growing public health concern, associated with circadian disruption, sleep disturbances, mental health issues, and increased risk for chronic conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Despite a rapidly expanding epidemiological literature on ALAN-related health outcomes, there is limited consensus on standardized and comparable tools for assessing both how individuals perceive ALAN and their objective exposure at the individual and population levels. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify studies published between 2010 and 2025. The aim was to systematically map the methods, tools, and frameworks used to evaluate both the perception of ALAN and objective ALAN exposure, and to examine their implications for public health. Eligibility was restricted to studies explicitly describing approaches to assess ALAN perception or exposure applied to human health research. Results: Most studies adopted cross-sectional designs and focused on urban contexts. Satellite-derived nighttime light data (62%) and GIS-based indicators (46%) were the most frequently used exposure proxies, while surveys and self-reported measures were commonly used to capture individual behaviors, health impacts and perceptions. Only 23% of studies employed wearable sensors or mobile applications, and architectural or building-level data were included in a single study (8%), highlighting a substantial gap in indoor exposure characterization. Conclusions: By critically reviewing current methods, tools, and frameworks, this work highlights the urgent need for harmonized, validated approaches that integrate objective environmental light measurements with human-centered data on how ALAN is perceived and experienced, thereby strengthening the evidence base for public health research and policy.