Disease prevention articles from across Nature Portfolio

Two nationwide randomized controlled trials in England with over 4 million participants found that text messages that highlighted that people had reached the ‘top of the queue’ increased COVID-19 vaccination rates. As a result, this ‘top of queue’ message was subsequently rolled out as the standard text reminder.

Globally, pressure is increasing for healthcare systems to deliver on the promise of genomic medicine to improve patient well-being. Although primary care is the ideal setting for leading this effort, primary health systems are overburdened and ill-equipped for this task in many jurisdictions. Integrating professional genetic counsellors may be a solution.

Two nationwide randomized controlled trials in England with over 4 million participants found that text messages that highlighted that people had reached the ‘top of the queue’ increased COVID-19 vaccination rates. As a result, this ‘top of queue’ message was subsequently rolled out as the standard text reminder.

Hooi Min Lim describes how the Bogalusa Heart Study emphasized the importance of primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease and profoundly influenced subsequent cardiovascular research on children and adolescents.

Digital health tools have the potential to support patients in managing their chronic diseases. Recently, Ullrich and colleagues (2025) introduced PreventiPlaque, a mobile health application that provides patients with up-to-date ultrasound images of their carotid plaques and tracks their lifestyle habits. Through a randomized controlled trial, the authors provide evidence of PreventiPlaque’s efficacy in improving patients’ cardiovascular risk profiles. This study highlights the potential for digital health interventions to provide personalized health information to patients and empower them to take actionable steps to improve their cardiovascular health.

A growing burden of diabetic kidney disease in Fiji threatens to overwhelm newly established nephrology services. Greater attention to early detection and intervention, incorporation of kidney health into national strategic plans, and international support to prioritize chronic kidney disease as a global priority is imperative.