The future of infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are a major global public health challenge for all countries around the world. As the planet becomes increasingly globalised, the transmission of infectious diseases from one location to another is inevitable. We only need to consider how COVID-19 traversed the globe, and its ongoing deleterious influence upon human health, healthcare systems, the world economy, and political stability.
At present, the fight against infectious disease is especially problematic due to the rise of antimicrobial drug resistance and the devastating impact of climate change. In combination, these two destabilising factors are contributing towards a growing global burden of evolving epidemiological patterns of infectious disease transmission both within, and across, all countries. Mitigating the influence of infectious diseases requires evidence-based communication with the public, and the development of novel therapies underpinned by scientific research and medical collaboration.
Patterns in infectious disease transmission are constantly evolving. New outbreaks can occur suddenly creating serious problems for public health in individual countries across the world (for example, the recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda). If governments and medical establishments are not thoroughly prepared to handle an outbreak, the future of human health is uncertain.
There is positive news in the enhancement of global infectious disease surveillance systems and the development of new treatments and vaccines. However, as medical writers, we must also contribute to the fight against infectious diseases. We imagine that a future full of effective, accurate, and timely communication can and will revolutionise human health and save lives.