Epidemiology and Public Health in Tropical Regions of Central America

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will address the key epidemiological and public health challenges facing the tropical regions of Central America. It aims to explore how factors such as migration, socioeconomic conditions, environmental changes, and access to healthcare services shape health outcomes in this region. By focusing on disease categories, specific epidemiological approaches, and policy frameworks, the Special Issue seeks to fill critical gaps in our understanding of health dynamics in Central America.

Special Issue Themes

1. Infectious Diseases and Interventions
   This theme will focus on the dynamics of infectious disease transmission (e.g., dengue, HIV, cholera, rotavirus), which are exacerbated by migration, tourism, and regional mobility. In particular, we will examine vaccination coverage among different populations (e.g., migrants, tourists, indigenous groups, and rural communities), analyzing its role in public health equity. Additionally, we welcome research on other interventions beyond vaccination, including vector control, sanitation improvements, and drug treatments. We seek contributions exploring how these interventions impact health outcomes in tropical regions, particularly among vulnerable groups.
2. Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs)
   This theme will examine the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and rickettsiosis, with a focus on the role of environmental factors (e.g., deforestation, climate change) in disease transmission. We invite studies on how ecological diversity influences the geographic distribution of these diseases, as well as the impacts of environmental disruptions on transmission dynamics. Contributions should address the effectiveness of control measures, including vector management and early detection systems.
3. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
   We encourage studies that address the burden of neglected tropical diseases, such as Chagas disease, leptospirosis, and lymphatic filariasis, which are major public health challenges in Central America. This theme will explore the social and economic factors that contribute to the persistence of NTDs, as well as the gaps in healthcare access and delivery. Contributions should focus on interventions aimed at prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as policy efforts to address the region's healthcare challenges.
4. Acute Environmental Exposures and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
   This theme will explore acute environmental exposures such as snake and spider bites, poisoning, and occupational hazards. These exposures represent significant public health issues, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. In addition, we will examine the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, such as malnutrition, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, which are influenced by lifestyle factors and environmental stressors. Special attention will be given to urban–rural health disparities and the impact of occupational exposures in farming and other sectors.
5. Health Indicators and Public Health Policies
   This theme will define key health indicators relevant to the tropical regions of Central America, including malnutrition rates, vaccination coverage, and the burden of infectious diseases. We aim to analyze national and regional health policies, especially those related to nutrition, air quality, and climate change adaptation. We are particularly interested in contributions that provide concrete examples of policy successes or challenges, such as regional immunization programs, nutritional surveillance in rural and indigenous populations, and air quality regulations that have impacted disease outcomes.

Expected Manuscripts and Authors
We invite contributions from a diverse group of researchers, including epidemiologists, clinicians, environmental health experts, and policy analysts, to submit papers engaging with the themes outlined above. Special consideration will be given to authors from Central America or those with extensive field experience in the region. We particularly encourage contributions from researchers and policymakers working in the tropical regions of Central America, as their insights will help contextualize local public health challenges and solutions.

We aim to foster a region-wide focus in this Special Issue and encourage contributions like original research articles or comprehensive reviews from researchers working across all countries in the region, ensuring that the diverse epidemiological challenges faced by the entire Central American region are represented.

Dr. Nina Mendez-Dominguez
Dr. Karla Rossanet Dzul-Rosado
Dr. Hugo Azcorra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• tropical public health
• Central America
• tropical medicine
• One Health and biodiversity ecosystems
• infectious diseases
• disease prevention and control
• socioeconomic determinants of health
• emerging public health threats
• disease progression
• communicable diseases
• chronic diseases
• non-communicable diseases
• environmental health
• epidemiological methods
• spatial epidemiology
• surveillance systems
• climate change and health
• environmental exposure
• malnutrition prevalence
• immunization coverage
• health systems and public health policies