📊 Category

epidemiology

286 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

Spatio-temporal variation in the uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine among Malawian girls between 2019 and 2024

This study analyzes spatio-temporal HPV vaccination data from 2019 to 2024 in Malawi, revealing that coverage for both doses remains significantly below WHO targets with notable regional disparities and a counterintuitive negative association with urbanization, thereby highlighting the urgent need for decentralized, targeted interventions to accelerate cervical cancer elimination.

Khaki, J. J., Nyondo-Mipando, A. L., Mategula, D., Ngwalangwa, F., Chirombo, J., Chisema, M. N., Mhone, B., Ayisi, A., M (…)2026-02-25
📊 epidemiology

Leisure-time physical activity on lifelong trajectories of body mass index and obesity risk throughout life: multivariable regression and Mendelian randomization analyses using real-world data from the CORDELIA-Catalunya Study

Using data from the CORDELIA-Catalunya Study, this research demonstrates through both multivariable regression and Mendelian randomization that higher leisure-time physical activity is causally associated with more favorable lifelong BMI trajectories and a reduced risk of obesity, with protective effects observed in both sexes but being stronger in men.

Hernando Redondo, J., Camps-Vilaro, A., Elosua, R., Fornara, E., Bermudez-Lopez, M., Toran-Monserrat, P., Jimenez-Navarr (…)2026-02-25
📊 epidemiology

Sub-district spatial heterogeneity in trachoma seroprevalence as populations approach elimination

This study demonstrates that while trachoma transmission exhibits significant sub-district spatial heterogeneity in higher-prevalence areas, this heterogeneity diminishes as populations approach elimination, suggesting that district-level data remains sufficient for guiding surveillance and intervention decisions in the final stages of the disease's eradication.

Srivathsan, A., Kamau, E., Chernet, A., Ayenew, G., Gonzalez, T. A., Sata, E., Abebe, A., Tadesse, Z., Callahan, E. K. (…)2026-02-25
📊 epidemiology

Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spread and the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

By integrating serological data with a mechanistic model to correct for significant underreporting caused by fluctuating testing capacities and eligibility rules during the Omicron wave in Newfoundland and Labrador, researchers quantified the true infection burden and demonstrated that school closures and strict alert levels effectively reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission, a conclusion unattainable through reported case data alone.

Anokye, F., Li, M. W., Walker, S., Hurford, A.2026-02-24
📊 epidemiology

Integrating measles wastewater and clinical whole-genome sequencing enables high-resolution tracking of virus evolution and transmission

By integrating sensitive wastewater genomic surveillance with clinical whole-genome sequencing during South Africa's 2024–25 measles outbreak, researchers successfully uncovered previously undetected interprovincial transmission links and demonstrated that this combined approach significantly enhances the resolution and scalability of measles virus monitoring for global elimination efforts.

Gwala, S., Levy, J. I., Mabasa, V. V., Subramoney, K., Ndlovu, N. L., Kent, C., Ahmadi Jeshvaghane, M., Gangavarapu, P. (…)2026-02-23
📊 epidemiology

Prevalence and factors associated with high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus infection among women living with HIV in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This cross-sectional study of 436 women living with HIV in Kinshasa reveals a 47.25% prevalence of high-risk oncogenic HPV infection, which is significantly associated with advanced HIV clinical stage, high viral loads, and shorter duration of antiretroviral therapy, highlighting the urgent need to integrate systematic HPV screening into HIV care programs.

Neze-Sebakunzi, J., Doro Altan, A.-M., Ceffa, S., Guidotti, G., Capparucci, S., Ciccacci, F., Musikingala, M., Nkuba-Nda (…)2026-02-23
📊 epidemiology

Mediation of the relationship between air pollution and dementia: A UK Biobank study.

Using UK Biobank data, this study found that while exposure to high levels of PM2.5, NOx, and NO2 is associated with increased dementia risk, the majority of this association is driven by direct effects or unmeasured pathways rather than the four investigated mediators of cardiovascular conditions, mental health treatment, insufficient exercise, and social isolation.

Taylor, K., Harris, M., Hui, E. K., Anderson, E., Mukadam, N.2026-02-22
📊 epidemiology

Integrated serosurveillance to assess disease elimination in coastal Ecuador: onchocerciasis, yaws, and trachoma

Integrated serosurveillance of children in coastal Ecuador confirmed the elimination of onchocerciasis and yaws but revealed ongoing transmission of trachoma in rural villages, highlighting the utility of multiplex antibody testing for monitoring disease status.

Simbana Vivanco, L., Torres Ayala, S., Walas, N., Cooley, G., Coleman, C., Goodhew, E. B., Martin, D. L., Burroughs, H. (…)2026-02-19