Comment

Stadler et al. propose using existing technologies to link urinary biomarkers and antimicrobial drug levels for personalised treatment of urinary tract infections. This approach aims to enable real-time pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic monitoring and optimise individual antibiotic dosing.

Cherian et al. discuss the ICMR—Phase 1 Clinical Trial Network that has been established in India. The network envisages to build capacity for early phase clinical trials in the country focusing on the clinical development of leads which are of national health priority.

Perachino et al. discuss screening through the use of liquid biopsy for early cancer detection. They emphasize the need for exceptionally high sensitivity and specificity when implementing such programs in the general population.

Patelli et al. critically evaluate the clinical utility of liquid biopsy-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analyses in colorectal cancer management. By addressing its applications across metastatic, locoregional, and early disease settings, the authors highlight both the transformative potential and current limitations of ctDNA in guiding personalized treatment decisions.

Tuck et al. discuss the unethical lack of access to diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis and consequential avoidable liver cancer cases. Existing evidence and current research in Ghana identifies a number of ways to address hepatitis and liver cancer in Ghana.

Tuazon et al. highlight the mental health challenges facing physician-scientist trainees, who have a dual commitment to advancing clinical care and undertaking research. The authors outline the critical gaps in mental health support structures available to this unique trainee population and provide recommendations to redress the concerns discussed.

We discuss the potential risk of zoonotic pathogen transmission and negative health impact associated with fresh yak blood drinking ceremony in Nepal. We recommend applying One Health approach involving local government, public health officials and community organisers to enable continuation of the tradition in a safe manner.

Yu et al. describe the challenges faced in the rapid development and upscaling of Paxlovid to meet the global demand for COVID-19 treatment. They respond to challenges by investing at risk, integrating predictive tools in development strategy, and implementing a diversified global supply chain.

Anachebe et al. discuss how to center equity in medical school admissions by presenting an equity-based framework that focuses on recruiting, standards, selection and support. Their recommended strategies are universally applicable across training programs and are accompanied by a number of promising examples.

Kidenya and Mboowa discuss the current state of genomic inclusiveness in medicine. They champion the efforts of the All of Us Research Program to broaden diversity in population genomics and reduce disparities across different ancestries.

Gogishvili et al highlight the crucial role of digital health interventions (DHIs) in improving HIV care outcomes and experiences. They provide recommendations for the equitable integration of DHIs in the HIV care cascade, emphasizing the need to address the digital divide to ensure inclusive access to healthcare.

Kalungi et al. highlight the underrepresentation of African populations in psychiatric genetic research. They advocate for strategic investments, capacity building, and collaboration to empower African scientists and institutions, emphasizing community engagement and ethical considerations for robust and culturally sensitive research in Africa.

Asrar et al. discuss the steps that the space sector is taking towards promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, such as the world’s first parastronaut program. They propose that healthcare can learn from the space sector in enhancing disability inclusion and support for people, including healthcare workers, with disabilities.

Chisholm-Burns et al. discuss the substantial shortage of organs available for transplantation, with disparities in access amongst some racial and ethnic groups. The authors suggest that while xenotransplantation can potentially increase organ availability, it also has the potential to further embed inequities in transplant care.

Thirunavukkarasu et al. discuss how standard lifestyle interventions prove ineffective in preventing type 2 diabetes in individuals with isolated impaired fasting glucose, a highly prevalent prediabetes phenotype globally. They propose low-calorie diets as a promising strategy for diabetes prevention in this high-risk population.

Zhang et al. discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to optimize clinical trial design and potentially boost the success rate of clinical trials. AI has unparalleled potential to leverage real-world data and unlock valuable insights for innovative trial design.

Ivancovsky-Wajcman et al. outline the need for a holistic preventive hepatology approach, involving social nutrition and social prescribing, to address the public health threat of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). They argue that this will facilitate individuals’ engagement in behavioural modifications to treat MASLD.

Macharia et al. discuss a Communications Medicine article on global healthcare accessibility and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They outline strengths in the comprehensive approach taken to studying revealed versus potential spatial accessibility, plus some limitations and wider context with which the results can be interpreted.

Pallett et al. discuss the impact of human conflict on development of antimicrobial resistance. They overview approaches to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance, using the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as an example of the challenges and opportunities.

Kooman outlines the findings of a Communications Medicine article on deep learning-based detection of chronic kidney disease using ECGs. The author interprets the study’s findings in light of its limitations and outlines key considerations in the clinical implementation of such an approach.