Advancing pathogen genomics in resource-limited settings.

Genomic sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance early pathogen detection and characterization with implications for public health and clinical decision making. Although widely available in developed countries, the application of pathogen genomics among low-resource, high-disease burden settings remains at an early stage. In these contexts, tailored approaches for integrating pathogen genomics within infectious disease control programs will be essential to optimize cost efficiency and public health impact. We propose a framework for embedding pathogen genomics within national surveillance plans across a spectrum of surveillance and laboratory capacities. We adopt a public health approach to genomics and examine its application to high-priority diseases relevant in resource-limited settings. For each grouping, we assess the value proposition for genomics to inform public health and clinical decision-making, alongside its contribution toward research and development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

Lockdown! Learning public health of infectious diseases through gameplay.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the detrimental effects of a lack of understanding of public health measures. During the pandemic, lockdowns, social distancing, and mask mandates introduced by governments were met with skepticism, doubt, and an unwillingness to comply, increasing the extent of negative outcomes as a result. Albeit devastating, the pandemic has offered an invaluable opportunity to observe the correlation between the prevalence of public health education and compliance with public health measures during critical times. In this article, we describe a card game that was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to educate the public (including children) about how specific public health measures address the pandemic and how global cooperation is essential in addressing even one country's problems. The game can be used in primary, secondary, or tertiary education classrooms, initiating conversations about the topic and providing a basic understanding before more in-depth learning.