About this Research Topic

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers, have become leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), these conditions rapidly add to the existing burden of infectious diseases, creating a dual burden that complicates public health efforts. The challenge is not simply to manage a shift from communicable/infectious diseases (CDs) to NCDs, but to improve the integration of services and leverage horizontal and vertical health system-strengthening interventions to address both types of diseases effectively. This includes ensuring that interventions aimed at reinforcing health systems for CDs can also benefit the emerging burden of NCDs. Understanding the epidemiology of this dual burden in these settings is essential for developing effective, integrated interventions and policies.

This Research Topic aims to shed light on the epidemiological transition and the emerging dual burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases in LMICs and to study how effective strategies can build on existing field projects and services. The objective is to identify and promote effective interventions that leverage existing programs and services, including those initially developed for CDs, to also address NCDs. This includes examining recent advances in healthcare delivery, innovative public health strategies, and policy reforms tailored to LMIC contexts that reinforce health systems for both CDs and NCDs, in light of the changing epidemiological scenarios and the dual burden specific to each context. By highlighting successful case studies, novel research, and evidence-based practices, we aim to provide insights that can be adapted and scaled across different settings. The research will inform global health strategies and support LMICs in managing the dual burden of infectious diseases and NCDs through integrated approaches.

This collection invites contributions exploring various aspects of the integration of infectious and non-communicable disease services and epidemiological transitions in LMICs, including:
• Epidemiological studies on the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of both infectious diseases and NCDs;
• Evaluations of public health interventions and healthcare delivery models that integrate services for the dual burden;
• Policy analyses and recommendations for health system strengthening to manage both NCDs and infectious diseases;
• Case studies of successful strategies and innovative approaches that integrate care for infectious diseases and NCDs;
• Reviews on the socio-economic impacts of managing both infectious diseases and NCDs;
• Research on how interventions aimed at infectious diseases can also support NCD management and vice versa.

This collection welcomes original research articles, reviews, case reports, and policy papers offering new perspectives, evidence-based recommendations, and practical solutions to enhance health outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Epidemiological transition, low-and middle-income countries, LMICs, public health intereventions, health delivery models

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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