📄 Category

public and global health

434 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

Experiences of HPV self-collection among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and people with a cervix

This study of 555 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and people with a cervix reveals a strong preference for HPV self-collection following the 2022 policy change, with 67% of those offered a choice opting for self-collection due to factors like reduced embarrassment and increased bodily control, while highlighting the critical need to ensure all eligible participants are offered a choice and supported in making informed decisions.

Mitchell, L. E., Phillips, E., Jennett, C. J., Bavor, C., Saunders, T., Nightingale, C., Smith, M. A., Whop, L. J., Scre (…)2026-02-06
📄 public and global health

The intention to use Kangaroo Mother Care among first-time mothers 15-24 years in Kinshasa, DRC: An application of the Integrated Behavioral Model

Using secondary data from Kinshasa, this study applies the Integrated Behavioral Model to find that attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy, and autonomy significantly predict Kangaroo Mother Care intentions among first-time mothers aged 15–24, with age-specific variations highlighting the need for tailored, empowering interventions.

Woo, M., Gage, A. J., Hernandez, J., Akilimali, P. Z., Bertrand, J. T.2026-02-06
📄 public and global health

Genomics-enhanced contact tracing enabled the characterization of SARS-CoV-2 transmission chains and infection contexts in the general population during community transmission

This study demonstrates that integrating SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing with traditional contact tracing in Düsseldorf significantly improved the resolution of transmission dynamics and identified undetected infection contexts, particularly in non-household settings like schools and nightlife, by characterizing nearly half of all cases and recommending a minimum 15% sequencing rate for effective future implementation.

Ptok, J., Weber, J., Pigulla, M., Röhl, C., Lüschow, N., Nagels, D., Houwaart, T., Belhaj, S., Schneider, L.-S., Regor (…)2026-02-05
📄 public and global health

Implementation research for advancing health equity: design and competency-based assessment of a short-term implementation research training program focused on health equity in global health

This paper evaluates a one-week competency-based training program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, demonstrating that the intensive workshop significantly improved participants' self-assessed knowledge and confidence in applying implementation research to address global health inequities, despite showing no statistically significant change in objective knowledge scores.

Helova, A., Owuor, K., Durham, C., Tech, E., Alonge, O.2026-02-05
📄 public and global health

PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOMES IN WOMEN UNDERGOING CESAREAN SECTION AT THE MONO-COUFFO REGIONAL HOSPITAL CENTER BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021

This retrospective study at the Mono-Couffo Regional Hospital Center in Benin (2020–2021) found a high cesarean section rate of 46.26% dominated by emergency procedures, with unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes significantly linked to factors such as multiple pregnancies, urinary tract infections, and inadequate prenatal care, underscoring the critical need to strengthen prenatal services for at-risk patients.

EDAYE, B. J.-d.-D., Klikpezo, R., Olowo, I., Obossou, A. A. A., Agonnoude, T. M., Amouzoun, S., Ezinmegnon, M. B. P.2026-02-03
📄 public and global health

A Cross-Sectional Survey to Estimate the Prevalence of Family History of Colorectal, Breast, and Ovarian Cancer in Derna City, Libya

This cross-sectional survey of 300 residents in Derna City, Libya, reveals a substantial prevalence of family history for breast (30.0%), colorectal (23.3%), and ovarian (13.3%) cancers, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced genetic counseling, screening, and targeted prevention strategies in the region.

Alghazali, M. A., AbdulKareem, E. A., ElShaihani, A. R., ElGabaili, R. F., Erkhais, J. A.2026-02-02
📄 public and global health

Long-term trends in stroke and the impact of population aging in China: Results from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study

Based on the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study, this paper reveals that while age-standardized rates for hemorrhagic strokes have declined in China since 1990, ischemic stroke incidence has risen and population aging has become a dominant driver of the overall stroke burden, necessitating targeted public health policies.

Chen, X., Liang, H., Wei, W., mutallip, m., Bao, X., Yang, S., Zhang, C.2026-02-01
📄 public and global health

Neonatal fecal abundance of Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis is not associated with anthropometric outcomes up to 6 months of age in Bangladeshi infants

In a study of generally healthy infants in Dhaka, Bangladesh, neonatal fecal abundance of *Bifidobacterium longum* subspecies *infantis* was found to be unrelated to growth outcomes, diarrhea risk, or hospitalizations up to six months of age, suggesting that promoting early colonization of this bacterium may not improve growth in populations experiencing postnatal faltering.

Heasley, C., Stefanova, V., Funk, C., Freitas, A. C., Li, G., Pell, L., Bassani, D. G., O'Callaghan, K., Shah, P., Shawo (…)2026-01-30
📄 public and global health

Perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy in CHASING COVID Cohort of US adults in 2023

This study of the Chasing Covid Cohort reveals that fewer than half of U.S. adults perceived COVID-19 vaccines as safe or effective during pregnancy, with positive perceptions significantly linked to having a regular healthcare provider and trusting public health institutions.

Piltch-Loeb, R., Balasubramanian, S., Robertson, M., Teasdale, C., Fleary, S., Sahr, J. N., Nash, D., Penrose, K., Chan (…)2026-01-30