Statistical Communications in Infectious Diseases

Statistical Communications in Infectious Diseases publishes significant research on the application of statistical ideas to problems arising from studies of infectious diseases, and takes a broad perspective, both theoretical and policy-oriented, on the role of statistics in infectious disease control efforts. The journal fosters much-needed rapid communication among statisticians on the best approaches to increasingly complex data on infectious disease, and is a venue for statisticians to enter a dialogue with other scientists and with policy makers on the strengths and limitations of methods for analysis in this important and hotly-debated area. The journal speaks to statisticians who develop and apply methods to advance research in infectious disease, bioinformatics scholars who seek a deeper understanding of inferential techniques, and policy makers and stakeholders (including those at greatest risk of infection) who appreciate the importance of statistical expertise in policy formulation.

The need for a journal that discusses the methods, development, applications, and policy implications of statistics in infectious disease research arises from the broad and growing range of questions that confront scientific investigators and policy makers. High-dimensional genetic and immunological measures are increasingly available, but how can we best interpret and use such measures? Surveillance and monitoring of endemic and emerging infectious diseases is vitally important, but how are the data best gathered? When perfect data are unobtainable but action is necessary, what are appropriate standards for data quality? Complex public health challenges require new statistical approaches and new abilities to integrate diverse sources of information. Enhanced statistical expertise is essential to develop and evaluate medical and public health responses to potential outbreaks that have not yet occurred, such as pandemic avian influenza in humans, and epidemics that flared and then dissipated, such as SARS, as well as recently established epidemics that are still evolving, such as AIDS, and infections that have plagued humanity, especially children, since the dawn of history.

A central mission of Statistical Communications in Infectious Diseases is to facilitate rapid communication among a diverse group of experts, from biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics, behavioral science, epidemic modeling, global health policy, and grassroots health practice. The journal goes beyond the how-to of statistical models, to the policy contexts and local communities in which statistical studies take place, and will serve as a sounding board to discuss policy issues in which quantitative scientists have not only a stake, but also an important perspective to represent. Such policy questions might include:

•  How heavily should the public invest in research or implementation of different prevention modalities?
• What is necessary to achieve control of epidemics (for example, do we require a vaccine to control the spread of HIV)?
• How can we best characterize the trade-offs between civil liberties and public safety?
• How can statisticians help with grass roots epidemic control efforts?

Through these discussions, the journal aims to raise not only the profile of quantitative science in infectious disease research, but also the quality of the discussions, in both public and scientific press, of issues that concern all of us. In doing so, we hope to impact the training and practice of the next generation of professionals involved in infectious diseases research, and to ensure that modern scientific tools are brought to bear on controlling infectious diseases, just as modern means of transportation and communication are so effective in spreading such diseases throughout the globe.