Tetanus: Risk Assessment, Prediction, Economic Burden, Interventions, and Outcomes

Tetanus remains a persistent public health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings and among vulnerable populations. While largely preventable through vaccination, the disease continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide due to gaps in immunization coverage, inadequate wound management, and limited access to healthcare. The epidemiology of tetanus is closely tied to socioeconomic determinants, with disparities in incidence and outcomes across regions and demographic groups. Recent trends, including humanitarian crises, climate-related injuries, and vaccine hesitancy, further complicate prevention efforts. This Research Topic aims to consolidate contemporary evidence on tetanus as a preventable yet enduring threat, emphasizing the need for integrated strategies that combine biomedical, behavioral, and systemic approaches to eliminate the disease.This Research Topic seeks to address critical gaps in understanding and responding to tetanus as a preventable disease with enduring global health impacts. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, tetanus continues to pose risks due to uneven vaccination coverage, weak health systems, and evolving social and environmental determinants. We aim to compile evidence that advances risk prediction models, quantifies the economic burden of tetanus on health systems and societies, and evaluates the effectiveness of interventions—from routine immunization and post-exposure prophylaxis to community-based health education and policy initiatives. The goal is to provide actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to design equitable, context-sensitive strategies for tetanus prevention and control, with a focus on reaching underserved populations and integrating tetanus elimination efforts into broader public health frameworks.This Research Topic welcomes original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case studies, and policy analyses focusing on tetanus in a public health context. Specific themes of interest include: 1）Epidemiological patterns and risk stratification of tetanus across regions and populations;2）Predictive modeling of tetanus incidence and outbreak potential; 3）Economic evaluations of tetanus prevention, treatment, and long-term care; 4）Effectiveness and implementation of vaccination programs, wound management protocols, and public awareness campaigns; 5）Equity-oriented interventions targeting high-risk groups (e.g., older adults, agricultural workers, neonates); 6）Integration of tetanus control within health systems and emergency response frameworks. Manuscripts should emphasize translational relevance, data-driven recommendations, and innovative approaches to reducing the global burden of tetanus. Topic editors: Qiaoyi Wu, Michael Tong Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79187/tetanus-risk-assessment-prediction-economic-burden-interventions-and-outcomes