📊 Category

epidemiology

227 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.

Climatic suitability for leishmaniasis at global and European scales

This study utilizes an XGBoost machine learning framework to demonstrate that global and European leishmaniasis risk is driven by the interplay of land use, climate change, and socio-economic inequity, revealing a significant increase in disease prevalence since the 1990s and a northward expansion of visceral leishmaniasis in Europe that underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted support for vulnerable populations.

Charnley, G. E. C.2026-05-20📊 epidemiology

Geographic Clustering and Spatial Spillovers of Pediatric Appendicitis Mortality: A 169-Country Spatial Analysis from 2000 to 2019

This study reveals that pediatric appendicitis mortality exhibits strong, persistent geographic clustering in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia from 2000 to 2019, with significant spatial spillover effects suggesting that regional surgical capacity coordination is more effective than isolated national investments.

yang, z., Wu, P., Fu, Y., Jiang, B., Huang, L., Zhou, J.2026-05-17📊 epidemiology

Outdoor attractive targeted sugar bait Phase III trials for malaria control in Kenya, Mali, and Zambia: An individual participant data meta-analysis

This individual participant data meta-analysis of Phase III trials in Kenya, Mali, and Zambia found that while the Westham Sarabi v1.2 ATSB intervention did not significantly reduce malaria incidence or entomological outcomes at the tested deployment levels, a post-hoc analysis revealed a significant 19% reduction in clinical malaria for every 10 bait stations per hectare increase in spatial density, suggesting that higher coverage or optimized dosing strategies may be required for efficacy.

Ashton, R., McDermott, D. P., Kane, F., Sarrassat, S., Harris, A., Fornadel, C., Wagman, J., Chanda, J., Littrell, M., ter Kuile, F. O., Samuels, A. M., Ochomo, E., Churcher, T. S., Biggs, J., Staedke (…)2026-05-10📊 epidemiology

Frequent introductions and climate suitability drive increasing dengue risk in Florida

This study combines mathematical modeling and genomic epidemiology to demonstrate that increasing dengue outbreaks in Florida are driven by frequent viral introductions from the Caribbean and rising climate suitability for transmission, rather than by the establishment of local endemic persistence.

Taylor-Salmon, E., Chew, Y. T., Lopes, R., Locksmith, T., Kopp, E., Vergara, J., Davis, A., Mitchell, M., Colarusso, P., Schmedes, S., Mock, V., Scott, B., Zimler, R., Vasquez, C., Moreno, M., Paul, L (…)2026-05-05📊 epidemiology

Prevalence and factors associated with tobacco and nicotine product use among adolescents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: evidence from a cross-sectional national household survey

A 2024 national cross-sectional survey in the Democratic Republic of the Congo revealed that 11.87% of adolescents currently use tobacco or nicotine products, with usage significantly influenced by gender, parental status, household education, and exposure to public smoking, thereby highlighting the urgent need for strengthened regulatory policies to curb accessibility and appeal.

Tchoupe, C., Mirindi, D. M., Tsague, J. D., Nana Nana, B. W., Pokothoane, R., Kyule, G., Iddi, S., Kisia, L., Abolarin, O., Ademola, T., Akiode, A., Agerfa, T. G., Kandate, E., Kayembe, D., Milambo, P (…)2026-05-04📊 epidemiology

Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in South Africa from a multi-site study among HIV-negative and HIV-positive adults and age-stratified children (2-17 Years)

A multi-site study in South Africa reveals that Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence is highly heterogeneous, varying significantly by age group and location with the highest rates observed in adults and notable differences between clinical sites, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance to better understand transmission patterns.

Saluja, T., Telele, N. F., Hellstrom, E., Mitha, E., Nchabeleng, M., Baiden, R., D'Cor, N. A., Vemula, S., Park, J. Y., Yang, L., Lee, J., Kim, D. R., Park, S., Aspinall, S., Pan, H., Shih, J. W.-K. (…)2026-05-03📊 epidemiology