Message from Editor in Chief
Infectious diseases have always been a significant concern for global health, impacting millions of lives each year. Infectious diseases account for approximately 15 million deaths worldwide. That's a staggering number, and it underscores the importance of understanding and effectively managing these threats. Among these infectious diseases, respiratory infections, including influenza and pneumonia, remain a leading cause of death, claiming over 3 million lives annually. Moreover, diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially in low and middle-income countries. Infectious diseases have a profound impact on global health, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. From seasonal flu outbreaks to emerging pathogens, these diseases continue to challenge our healthcare systems and demand swift and effective responses.
Communicable diseases still remain a major public health concern and are the prime cause of morbidity and mortality, due to socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural risk factors, in Pakistan. Pakistan bears a significant portion of the regional burden of many communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis and the burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, also pose a significant regional threat. Pakistan is at high risk of epidemics due to communicable diseases because of overcrowded cities, unsafe drinking- water, inadequate sanitation, poor socioeconomic conditions, low health awareness and inadequate vaccination coverage. Vaccine-preventable, foodborne, zoonotic, health care-related and communicable diseases pose significant threats to human health and can threaten international health security.
This issue of She Matters is a special issue on communicable diseases with the theme “Outsmarting Infections: Breakthroughs in Communicable Diseases Research”. In this issue, we bring you interview of Dr. Beenish Nadeem, an emerging physician with expertise in public health. This issue focuses on leveraging technology for surveillance and management of communicable diseases and strategies for combating childhood infections in LMICs. The issue also gives insights of public health strategies for reducing inequities in infectious disease care in Pakistan. This issue also has a special feature on Islam as a guiding principle for management of infectious diseases.
I would like to acknowledge that launching this issue would not have been possible without the great and much appreciated contributions from the editorial and technical team. The robust intellectual support and well time contribution of content writers deserve special appreciatory applause. Our team expects similar sort of sincere dedication from the writers in near future. Enjoy reading the issue!
