Population mobility and infectious diseases: The diminishing impact of classical infectious diseases and new approaches for the 21st century

In an increasingly globalized world, rapid population mobility and migratio n is reducing the differences in infectious disease epidemiology between re gions of the world. The movement and relocation of populations between loca tions where the prevalence and incidence of infections are markedly differe nt poses current and future challenges to those involved in clinical infect ious diseases and public health program management. Historically, internati onal attention has focused on the screening and treatment of acute infectio ns of epidemic potential, but, as immigration significantly changes the dem ography of many nations, chronic infections will require increased attentio n. In countries with large mobile populations, the population-based burden of infections with long latency periods or significant noninfectious sequel ae will make up an increasing amount of the infectious disease caseload and will require more-modern approaches than the traditional screening of arri vals. The globalization of chronic infectious disease epidemiology will req uire corresponding development of integrated programs to anticipate and man age these diseases in response to an increasingly mobile patient population .