Every infection tells two stories. One begins when a pathogen enters the body. The other begins when that infection is detected. Between those two moments lies a critical gap—and it’s growing.
For decades, global health systems have fought infectious diseases on multiple fronts: vaccination, prevention, surveillance, and treatment. Yet the timeline from infection to diagnosis remains one of the weaker links in this chain. Millions of infections go undiagnosed each year, allowing diseases to spread, evolve, and evade control measures. In a world still adjusting to the lessons of COVID-19, the need for faster, more efficient diagnostic testing is no longer just a technical challenge—it’s a public health imperative.
The growing gap between infection and diagnosis
The gulf between those who are infected and those who are diagnosed reflects both systemic and scientific challenges. Diagnostic delays often occur not because tests don’t exist, but because they aren’t reaching patients in time. Limited access to testing, overburdened laboratories, fragmented data systems, and workforce shortages compound the issue. In low-resource settings, diagnostic deserts persist. Even in advanced health systems, bottlenecks in sample processing and communication slow response.
This gap isn’t evenly distributed across diseases. The World Health Organization has reported significant year-over-year increases in cases of syphilis, tuberculosis, dengue, and other infectious diseases once thought to be under control. Climate change, global travel, and antimicrobial resistance continue to introduce new variables, expanding both the range and frequency of outbreaks. When the speed of detection fails to keep pace, the consequences ripple through entire health systems—more severe illness, longer hospital stays, and greater overall cost of care.
Why diagnostics are the pivot point of modern disease management
The value of diagnostics extends far beyond confirming a result. Accurate, timely testing guides treatment decisions, informs infection control protocols, and underpins surveillance strategies. In an era when diseases can cross continents faster than they can be sequenced, diagnostics must evolve from a reactive tool to a proactive force.
Clinical laboratories are central to that transformation. Their ability to process, interpret, and communicate results efficiently determines how quickly health systems can act. Yet these same labs face intense pressure—rising sample volumes, expanding test menus, and persistent staffing shortages. Despite major advances in molecular assays and sequencing, many labs still rely on manual processes and disconnected instruments that limit throughput and consistency.
The opportunity lies in turning these operational challenges into levers for innovation. Smarter workflows, automation, and stronger data integration can make early detection the rule rather than the exception.
Inside the lab: smarter operations for faster detection
The first article in this series, “How Labs Can Lead in Early Detection of Infectious Diseases,” explores how clinical laboratories can close the gap through modernization and process improvement. From bringing key tests in-house to adopting automation and AI-assisted tools, author Morgana Moretti, PhD, outlines how labs can achieve faster, more accurate diagnoses without overextending limited staff.
Beyond the lab: the human element of diagnostics
Technology alone cannot close the diagnostic gap. Once a result is ready, the next challenge is ensuring that information leads to timely, effective clinical action. That’s where collaboration between laboratories and healthcare providers becomes essential.
In “How to Improve Laboratory and Provider Collaboration,” Tyler Radke, MLS(ASCP)CM, explores the practical side of communication—how labs and providers can align on test ordering, result interpretation, and patient management. His piece underscores that collaboration isn’t just about convenience; it’s about outcomes. A well-connected lab can prevent unnecessary procedures, reduce redundant testing, and ultimately improve patient care.
The path forward: connected systems, coordinated responses
The fight against infectious diseases is no longer a race between pathogen and patient—it’s a race between detection and delay. To keep up, the entire diagnostic ecosystem must evolve: laboratories must modernize, providers must collaborate, and technologies must integrate seamlessly.
Across this Big Picture series, you’ll hear from experts who are rethinking how testing gets done and how information flows through the healthcare continuum. Their insights reveal that while the challenges are complex, the solutions are within reach.
Because when the world faces the next infectious threat, the difference between containment and crisis may come down to how fast the diagnostic story begins.