Global Health Impact and Challenges of Infectious Disease Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Feyera Gemeda Dima.
Infectious diseases persist as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with their burden exacerbated by globalization, urbanization, and climate change. This systematic review analyzes the profound global health impact of these diseases and the multifaceted challenges hindering their effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The findings reveal a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), driven by critical gaps in vaccination coverage, limited access to rapid and accurate diagnostics, and the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Key barriers include healthcare infrastructure deficiencies, vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation, and the high cost and limited development of novel therapeutics. The study concludes that mitigating this crisis requires a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach. This entails strengthening global health systems, enhancing equitable access to preventive and diagnostic technologies, launching public health campaigns to combat misinformation, and fostering global commitment to antibiotic stewardship and new drug development. Ultimately, addressing these interconnected challenges is imperative to reducing the worldwide impact of infectious diseases.
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