Public and global health examines how we protect communities from disease, manage outbreaks, and improve well-being across the world. This vital field connects diverse research on everything from infectious disease control and vaccination strategies to the social factors that shape our collective health. Because these studies often impact policy and daily life, understanding them quickly is more important than ever.

At Gist.Science, we track every new preprint published in this category on medRxiv to ensure you never miss a breakthrough. We process each submission to provide both plain-language explanations for general readers and detailed technical summaries for experts, making complex findings accessible to everyone.

Below are the latest papers in public and global health, freshly summarized from the most recent medRxiv releases.

Stakeholder Interest, Power and Operational Capacity Analysis in the Prevention and Control of Genital Chlamydia in Youths 15 to 24 Years Old in Mali and Burkina Faso

This study evaluates the interest, power, and operational capacity of key stakeholders in Mali and Burkina Faso to identify a complementary institutional and community framework essential for sustaining and scaling up the Pfizer Chlamydia Project's prevention efforts among youths aged 15–24.

Sangare, M., Niare, M., Sogodogo, D., Doumbia, F., Ndiaye, K. A., Coulibaly, B., Traore, K., Diakite, S. A., Diarra, S., Dena, R., Toure, M., Keita, B., Anne, A., Badiel, E., Niare, D. S., Ouedraogo (…)2026-03-10📄 public and global health

Application of Discriminant Analysis for Blood Pressure Classification Based on Vital Signs: Evidence from a Regional Hospital in Ghana

This retrospective study of 1,000 adult patients at a Ghanaian regional hospital demonstrates that linear discriminant analysis using routinely collected vital signs, particularly body weight, can accurately classify patients into hypotensive, normotensive, or hypertensive categories, supporting the feasibility of data-driven risk stratification for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.

Cobbinah, D., Addor, J. A., Narh, K. M. A., Baah, E. M.2026-03-09📄 public and global health

COLLABORATIVE MAPPING AS A METHODOLOGY FOR IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON BASIC SANITATION NEEDS AND INTERVENTIONS FOR LEPTOSPIROSIS IN SALVADOR, BRAZIL

This study demonstrates that collaborative mapping with residents of two peripheral communities in Salvador, Brazil, effectively identified specific local sanitation needs and intervention priorities—particularly regarding sewage and waste management near local rivers—that are essential for preventing leptospirosis, revealing a negative correlation between perceived intervention needs and predicted disease seropositivity.

Palma, F. A. G., Cuenca, P. R., de Oliveira, D. S., Silva, A. M. N., Lopez, Y. A. A., Santiago, D. C. d. C., das Virgens, M. N. R., do Carmo, A. S., dos Reis, A., do Carmo, G. d. J., Lima, A. M., Alme (…)2026-03-07📄 public and global health

Deep untargeted wastewater metagenomic sequencing from sewersheds across the United States

This paper presents CASPER, the largest publicly available untargeted wastewater metagenomic dataset to date, comprising 1,206 deep-sequenced samples from across the United States that enable population-scale pathogen surveillance, correlation with clinical trends, and the detection of emerging viral threats like avian influenza and measles.

Justen, L. J., Rushford, C., Hershey, O. S., Floyd-O'Sullivan, R., Grimm, S. L., Bradshaw, W. J., Bhasin, H., Rice, D. P., Stansifer, K., Faraguna, J. D., McLaren, M. R., Zulli, A., Tovar-Mendez, A. (…)2026-03-06📄 public and global health

Modelling the Excess Mortality Associated with Heat Waves in Hong Kong: 2014-2023

This study quantifies the excess mortality in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2023, estimating that extreme heat caused between 1,455 and 3,238 preventable deaths—disproportionately affecting males and the elderly—and highlighting a mortality burden comparable to diabetes that necessitates urgent, targeted public health interventions.

Liu, Z., Ren, C., Liu, J., Kawasaki, Y., Bishai, D. M.2026-03-06📄 public and global health

Engaging communities through participatory learning action for the control and prevention of diabetes: a protocol for the Process Evaluation of the EMPOWER-D trial in Pakistan and Afghanistan

This paper outlines the protocol for a mixed-methods process evaluation of the EMPOWER-D trial, which aims to assess the implementation, mechanisms of impact, and contextual factors of a participatory learning and action intervention for preventing type 2 diabetes in community settings across Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ishaq Khattak, M., Rehman, K., Afaq, S., Saeed Butt, S., Ghutai, G., Hanifi, R., Hofiani, M., Tahir, A., Zafar, R., Jennings, H.2026-03-06📄 public and global health

Hump nosed pit viper envenoming in Coastal Karnataka- unravelling the centuries of deadly camouflage

This retrospective study of 46 Hump-nosed pit viper envenomation cases in Coastal Karnataka characterizes the clinical syndrome and complications, notably venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy and acute kidney injury, while evaluating the limited efficacy of current treatments like antivenom and blood products to underscore the urgent need for a species-specific antivenom.

Wagle, U., Sirur, F. M., Lath, V., Lingappa, D. J., R, R., Kulkarni, N. U., Kamath, A.2026-03-06📄 public and global health

Effectiveness of an automated text message intervention for weight management in postpartum women with overweight or obesity (Supporting MumS (SMS)): a UK wide, multicentre, two arm, parallel group, randomised controlled trial.

This UK-wide randomized controlled trial found that while a 12-month automated text message intervention did not significantly reduce weight in postpartum women with overweight or obesity compared to an active control group, it successfully improved dietary habits, physical activity levels, and infant feeding practices.

Gallagher, D., Spyreli, E., Calder-MacPhee, N., Crossley, K., Feuillatre, C., Ivory, A., Karatas, B., Kelly, C. B., Lind, M., Osei-Asemani, E., Potrick, R., Stanton, H., Bridges, S., Coulman, E., Free (…)2026-03-06📄 public and global health

"You become free, you can tell her anything": Perceptions of a peer-based medication delivery implementation strategy to improve hypertension medication adherence in western Kenya

This study in rural western Kenya utilized focus groups and interviews to assess stakeholder perceptions of a peer-based medication delivery and health information technology strategy for hypertension, revealing that while the approach is valued for improving access and psychosocial support, its success depends heavily on peer competency and communication.

Watiri, C., Wachira, J., Njuguna, B., Gjonaj, J., Kangogo, K., Korir, M., Laktabai, J., Manji, I., Pastakia, S. D., Tran, D. N., Vedanthan, R.2026-03-06📄 public and global health