📊 Category

epidemiology

357 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

From Epidemic to Endemic: Longitudinal Surveillance of Congenital Zika Syndrome in Brazil

This longitudinal ecological study of Brazil from 2015 to 2023 reveals that while the initial Zika epidemic peaked in 2016 and subsequently declined to low-level endemic circulation, Congenital Zika Syndrome remains disproportionately concentrated in the Northeast region, with significant geographic disparities in burden and diagnostic capacity necessitating sustained surveillance and etiological investigation.

Oliveira Ferreira, R., Ma, H. L., Pestana Garcez, P., Zatz, M.2026-07-10
📊 epidemiology

Paediatric COVID-19 severity across SARS-CoV-2 variants in hospitalised children in South Africa: a retrospective cohort study

This retrospective cohort study of 354 hospitalized children in South Africa reveals that pediatric COVID-19 severity was highest during the pre-Omicron (Beta and Delta) waves, with younger age, specific variants, and elevated CRP levels identified as key factors associated with severe illness in this resource-limited setting.

Fiandrino, S., Di Chiara, C., Dona, D., Dunbar, R., Goussard, P., Lochan, H., Rabie, H., Redfern, A., Truter, C., Van Ni (…)2026-07-09
📊 epidemiology

Social and spatial disparities in heat-related mortality in Italy: a nationwide small-area study

This nationwide small-area study in Italy reveals that heat-related mortality among older adults exhibits significant geographical disparities, with the highest risks concentrated in the south and Po Valley, and identifies socio-economic deprivation, limited green space, and specific demographic factors as key determinants of this vulnerability.

Sodano, B., Gascoigne, C., Xi, D., Chen, X., de' Donato, F., Vineis, P., Konstantinoudis, G.2026-07-09
📊 epidemiology

Potentially modifiable mediators of the association between child abuse and dementia

Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, this study found that while child abuse significantly increases dementia risk, jointly examined modifiable factors like education, health behaviors, cardiovascular health, and mental health explain only a small portion (approximately 18%) of this association, with mental health accounting for nearly all of the mediated effect.

Taylor, K., Howe, L. D., Lacey, R., Anderson, E. L., Mukadam, N.2026-07-09
📊 epidemiology

Meta-analysis as a barycenter of study distributions: information-geometric pooling, heterogeneity, and robustness

This paper proposes Information-Geometric Meta-Integration (IGMI), a framework that pools study distributions as weighted Fréchet means under various geometries to unify classical meta-analysis methods, derive exact heterogeneity statistics, and provide robust, outlier-resistant multivariate estimates that outperform traditional approaches in predictive accuracy and invariance.

Otte, W. M.2026-07-09
📊 epidemiology

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Exposure to Antibiotics Associated with Clostridioides difficile Infection in US Academic Dental Care

A retrospective study of over 550,000 dental encounters across five US academic institutions reveals that while Black, Hispanic, and other racial/ethnic groups had slightly lower odds of receiving any oral antibiotic compared to White patients, Black patients faced significantly higher odds of receiving excessive cumulative doses of clindamycin, a key risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection.

Gladden, A. D., Westgard, L. K., Tam, R. A., Ugbala, M. C., Foong, K. S., Wurcel, A. G.2026-07-08
📊 epidemiology

Organised cancer screening among women who receive medically assisted reproduction treatments

Using linked Australian health registries, this study found that women undergoing medically assisted reproduction treatments had significantly higher rates of organized cervical screening but slightly lower or comparable rates of breast screening compared to matched women who did not receive such treatments.

Walker, A. R., Odahl, S., Venetis, C., Jorm, L., Hacker, N. F., Chapman, M., Anazodo, A. C., Norman, R. J., Stern, C., S (…)2026-07-07
📊 epidemiology

A simplified antigen-based serological algorithm accurately classifies MPXV exposure and vaccination status

This study demonstrates that a simplified serological algorithm using the A35R and B6R antigen pair accurately classifies MPXV exposure and vaccination status, offering a scalable alternative to complex multiplex assays for surveillance and vaccine evaluation.

Abdullahi, A., Adebisis, G., Wisso, H., Osawe, S., Kampmann, B., Abimiku, A., Gupta, R. K.2026-07-05✓ Author reviewed ⓘ
📊 epidemiology

Prevalence and determinants of respiratory symptoms and functional disorders among children exposed to particulate matter through domestic and maternal occupational solid fuel use in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire - a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, reveals that children exposed to biomass fuel use through domestic cooking and maternal occupational activities face significantly higher risks of respiratory symptoms and lung function impairments compared to those using gas, highlighting an urgent need for targeted interventions to reduce household air pollution in disadvantaged urban areas.

Pajot, A., Dje, S. A., Tanoh, F. D. A., Liousse, C., Thivillon, T., Doumbia, M., Gnamien, S., Marie, Y., Fayon, M., Yobo (…)2026-07-04