LISSSD 2025 Exposing inequalities in streptococcal infection in a high income setting (124652)
Global estimates of streptococcal disease burden are exceedingly limited in scope and timeliness but indicate staggering differential rates of disease between regions and countries. Drivers for these between-country gradients in streptococcal disease rates are poorly understood as evidenced by surprising patterns of incidence and mortality not explained by country income level. In high-income settings, increasing attention is being given to identifying and quantifying differential risk between sub-populations as a means of identifying opportunities for prevention. Within the UK, access to new routine health datasets as well as targeted research and application of whole genome sequencing is providing new insights into differential rates of streptococcal disease and populations most affected by outbreaks. Examples of these investigations will be presented alongside questions raised by the inequalities in risk uncovered.
