At present, emerging technologies such as big data and Internet of Things (IoT) have promoted innovation in healthcare around the world. They have contributed to the construction of smart healthcare systems, providing a better medical service experience. Smart healthcare is based on the electronic medical and health records of residents, combined with information technology, such as the Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing, mobile communications, and artificial intelligence (AI), which can then be used to build a variety of systems, such as convenient medical service systems and humanised health management systems. Machine learning and block chain technology are highly regarded around the world and have impacted a range of industries. Due to the close connection between healthcare industry and intelligent technology, its integration with blockchain is essential. The traceability, transparency, security, and decentralisation of machine learning and blockchain technology will enable the healthcare industry to optimise and upgrade many aspects, such as customer health management, medical insurance management, customer file management, and information system management, as well as improving efficiency across these different applications.

Researchers are beginning to explore the applications of machine learning and blockchain technology in smart healthcare systems. For example, a health management platform based on blockchain can allow users to securely track and collect personal data, and smart contracts can be used in medical identification to automatically handle emergencies. Smart contracts could also leverage health prevention resources to create locally accessible healthy community projects. Machine learning and blockchain technology can also be used to simplify the processing of medical claims and payments, or in the area of hospital management, to provide more concise, transparent, and secure services in medical data contribution, medical staff identification, and doctor screening. There are applications for these technologies across the medical supply chain, such as drug traceback and anti-counterfeiting of pharmaceutical companies' suppliers, or in the pharmaceutical research and development sector, such as being used to securely store genetic and medical data through the use of private keys, and form a DNA wallet, thereby enabling researchers to develop drugs more efficiently and provide targeted services to patients.

The aim of this Special Issue is to gather research into the latest advancements in the use of machine learning and blockchain technology in smart healthcare. We welcome both original research and review articles. This Special Issue looks to gather papers reflecting new characteristics and laws in healthcare and smart healthcare, but also papers focussing on the technological aspects of these applications.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Frameworks for the sustainable development of smart healthcare, based on machine learning and blockchain technology
• New characteristics of healthcare supply chains
• The development of new smart healthcare communities and their impact on human health
• The impact of machine learning and blockchain technology on human health
• The use of machine learning and blockchain technology to solve environmental issues within the smart healthcare industry
• Combinations of machine learning and blockchain technology with other emerging technologies such as big data, IoT, and AI