public and global health papers

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.

📄 public and global health

Rethinking wellbeing measurement: learning from a scale development study with adolescents living with HIV in Zimbabwe

This paper details the development and methodological lessons of the Zvandiri Character Strength (ZCS) scale for measuring wellbeing among adolescents living with HIV in Zimbabwe, highlighting the limitations of applying Western positive psychology instruments in this context and the need for culturally grounded, construct-specific measurement approaches that account for relational dimensions and social desirability biases.

Mavhu, W., Dambi, J. M., Simms, V., Martin, F., Lariat, J., Mbundure, R., Makoni, L., Kafata, L., Wogrin, C., Chitiyo, V (…)2026-06-29

📄 public and global health

Blood Lead Levels and Alzheimer's Disease Mortality in NHANES: Addressing Temporal Confounding Through a Study Exit Covariate

This study demonstrates that structural temporal confounding in historical NHANES cohorts obscures the true relationship between blood lead levels and Alzheimer's disease mortality, revealing a robust inverse association only after adjusting for calendar time at study exit, though this finding likely reflects methodological artifacts rather than a protective effect of lead exposure.

Grossman, A.2026-06-28

📄 public and global health

Meningitis vaccination campaign in the context of COVID-19 in Cameroon

Despite challenges such as insufficient personal protective equipment and difficulties maintaining social distancing, Cameroon's 2020 meningitis vaccination campaign conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic was effective, achieving high coverage rates while identifying key operational lessons for future public health interventions.

Mbang, M. A., Amani, A., Cheuyem, F. Z. L., Tchamani, R., Tatang, C. A., Noula, A. G. M., Bayiha, C. N., Debnet, J., Ebo (…)2026-06-27

📄 public and global health

A Multidomain Model for Dementia Classification using Harmonized LASI and LASI-DAD Data

This study developed and internally validated a multidomain machine learning model using harmonized LASI and LASI-DAD data that integrates cognitive, informant, cardiometabolic, and sociodemographic features to achieve high accuracy in classifying dementia among heterogeneous Indian older adults, demonstrating that non-cognitive variables provide incremental value beyond cognitive measures alone.

Anand, S., Miyapuram, K.2026-06-24

📄 public and global health

Factors associated with the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine: The experiences of postpartum women attending child welfare clinics in three rural districts in the Western Region of Ghana.

This mixed-methods study in rural Ghana found that while IPTp-SP uptake among postpartum women was high and primarily driven by the frequency of antenatal care visits rather than socio-demographic factors, adherence was negatively influenced by side effects and challenges with the medication formulation.

Amugi, G., Agudey, D. T., Gyimah, N. M., Mensah, P., Kwarkye, I., Yengliereh, G. Y. G., Claude, K. J., Brookman-Eshun, B (…)2026-06-24

📄 public and global health

THE SILENT STRUGGLE: EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWNS IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

This qualitative study on healthcare communication in Ghana's Northern Region identifies language barriers, provider attitudes, logistical shortages, and cultural factors as critical obstacles to effective patient care, recommending targeted training and professional interpretation to bridge these gaps.

Salifu, i., Abdulai, M., Ibrahim, N.2026-06-23

📄 public and global health

Introduction and sustained-transmission risk across DRC health zones during the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak

This study quantifies the risks of Bundibugyo virus introduction and sustained transmission across Democratic Republic of the Congo health zones to identify priority areas for focused response efforts, particularly those far from currently affected regions.

Luvande Okingo, R., Iroungou, B. A., Valdano, E.2026-06-22

📄 public and global health

Methodological guidelines for circadian modeling of Daylight Saving Time: application to the United States

This paper critiques a recent study linking Daylight Saving Time to disease prevalence in the United States for a fundamental computational error that inverted the longitudinal axis, and subsequently provides corrected methodological guidelines for accurately modeling the circadian impacts of seasonal clock changes.

Martin-Olalla, J. M., Mira, J.2026-06-22

📄 public and global health

Leveraging the U.S. blood supply to detect emerging viral threats

This paper proposes integrating metagenomic sequencing into the U.S. blood supply system as a proactive, cost-effective surveillance tool to detect emerging viral threats before they cause widespread clinical illness.

Justen, L. J., Bhasin, H., Whittaker, C., Cunningham-Bryant, D., Lanteri, M., Busch, M. P., Esvelt, K. M., Sabeti, P. C.2026-06-21

📄 public and global health

The Impact of Pregnant Womens Dietary Behavior on the Physiological Adaptation Paradox and Maternal-Fetal Resource Conflict in Conflict Settings: A Predictive Analytical Study

This predictive analytical study of 200 pregnant women in Sanaa, Yemen, reveals that while nutritional awareness is high, actual dietary practices driven by economic hardship and physiological barriers are the primary determinants of maternal-fetal health outcomes, underscoring the critical need for behavioral empowerment and nutritional support to mitigate resource conflicts in conflict settings.

Al-Wesabi, M. M., Eskander, N. A.2026-06-19

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