📊 Category

epidemiology

351 papers

Epidemiology is the study of how diseases spread through populations and what factors influence their patterns. Rather than focusing on individual patients, this field examines broader trends to identify outbreaks, track transmission, and guide public health decisions. By analyzing data on infection rates and risk factors, researchers work to prevent future health crises and protect communities worldwide.

On Gist.Science, we process every new preprint in this category directly from medRxiv to make these critical findings instantly accessible. For each study, we provide both a plain-language explanation for general readers and a detailed technical summary for specialists. This dual approach ensures that vital insights into disease dynamics are understood clearly and quickly by everyone who needs them.

Explore the latest research below to see how scientists are currently mapping disease trends and developing strategies to safeguard global health.

📊 epidemiology

Population Genomics of Salmonella Enteritidis in Saudi Arabia Reveals Globally Circulating Food- and Human-Associated Lineages and Plasmid-Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance

This study utilizes a large-scale One Health genomic analysis of Salmonella Enteritidis in Saudi Arabia to reveal that the local population consists of globally circulating lineages introduced repeatedly from international sources, where food reservoirs act as transmission hubs and the emergence of epidemic clones is driven by the acquisition of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance.

Alreshoodi, F., Zhou, G., Huang, J., Hinkova, N., Alsufyani, A., Alotaibi, N. M., Alarawi, M. S., Alzahrani, K. O., Al S (…)2026-09-07
📊 epidemiology

Genetic and epigenetic architecture of mass spectrometry-derived lipids in blood and their role in lifetime Major Depressive Disorder

This study integrates genetic, epigenetic, and mass spectrometry lipid data from a Scottish cohort to reveal that genetic variants and DNA methylation within the FADS gene cluster influence specific blood lipid species, which in turn are associated with lifetime Major Depressive Disorder.

Smith, H. M., Richmond, A., Adams, M. J., Wretlind, A., Marioni, R. E., Legido-Quigley, C., McIntosh, A. M.2026-09-06
📊 epidemiology

An investigation into ethnic group and deprivation inequalities in influenza and COVID-19 hospitalizations, post-pandemic

This study of England's 2023–2024 data reveals that while ethnic disparities in influenza hospitalizations persist (particularly for Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups) and are partially driven by deprivation, vaccination uptake and deprivation significantly mediate inequalities for both influenza and COVID-19, underscoring the need to prioritize improving vaccination coverage in under-vaccinated populations.

Scott, M., Browning, L., Roberts, T., De Boer, J., Richardson, Z. A., Garda, L.2026-09-04
📊 epidemiology

Testing Claimed Associations of Prenatal Acetaminophen with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Re-analysis Using Bias-Correction Methods

This reanalysis challenges the claim of "strong evidence" linking prenatal acetaminophen exposure to neurodevelopmental disorders by demonstrating that, after applying standard meta-analytic and bias-correction methods, the association for autism spectrum disorder attenuated to non-significance and the evidence for other disorders was inconsistent, leaving only a modest, uncertain association with ADHD.

Grover, A., Reis-Pardal, J., Ellis, R. J., Ioannidis, J., Patel, C. J.2026-09-04
📊 epidemiology

A target trial emulation study to estimate the causal effect of intravenous iron use during pregnancy and its effect on haematological and birth outcomes in Pakistan

This target trial emulation study in Pakistan demonstrates that intravenous iron treatment for pregnant women with anaemia significantly reduces the risk of moderate-to-severe anaemia and is associated with an 83% reduction in stillbirth risk compared to no treatment.

Yazdani, N. S., Oakley, E., Khan, A., Qazi, M. F., Khakwani, S., Sheikh, A., Mazhar, A., Iqbal, U. M., Marquis, J., Liaq (…)2026-09-03
📊 epidemiology

Rural-urban disparities and associated factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Zambia: A convergent mixed-methods study using the Proximate Determinant Framework.

This convergent mixed-methods study in Zambia reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection disparities across rural, peri-urban, and urban settings are driven primarily by demographic, behavioral, and health-system factors rather than geographic residence alone, underscoring the need for context-specific prevention strategies and equitable access to testing and vaccines.

Wantakisha, E. W. R., Nyirenda, S., Narayani, M.2026-08-31
📊 epidemiology

Software Application Profile: A real-time surveillance system for monitoring heat exposure and its health impacts - presenting the Rio de Janeiro Heat Dashboard

This paper presents the Rio de Janeiro Heat Dashboard, a real-time R/Shiny surveillance system that integrates climatic and health data to monitor heat exposure, classify alert levels, and track health impacts as a core component of Brazil's first municipal heat protocol.

de Araujo Morais, J. H., Dias Ferreira, C., Saraceni, V., Medeiros de Oliveira Cruz, D., Mateus Oliveira Aguilar, G., Cr (…)2026-08-31
📊 epidemiology

Socioeconomic position, adverse childhood experiences, and menstrual symptoms in two generations of a prospective UK cohort.

This study of two generations in a UK cohort reveals that socioeconomic disadvantage and adverse childhood experiences are significantly associated with increased odds of various menstrual symptoms, including pain, irregular cycles, and bleeding disorders, indicating that these health issues disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged women.

Sawyer, G., Farooq, B., Birnie, K., Fraser, A., Lawlor, D. A., Sharp, G. C., Howe, L. D.2026-08-31