[From pandemic to syndemic : the importance of context].

Abstract

The concept of "syndemics" is getting more and more popularity in scientific journals, especially since the end of the first decade of the current century. It relates to the dynamic interaction of synchronous or sequential diseases (whether communicable or not, also including mental diseases), with social and environmental factors, resulting at the end in a worse global outcome. The rise of publications in peer reviewed journals is exponential, especially in the last ten years. Born after another - forgotten - epidemy, the one related to HIV (AIDS), this concept is more than ever cited within the frame of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemics. We will highlight this concept through a couple of selected examples related to infectious diseases. The recognition of an extensive intertwining allows to change in depth the way we approach health care efficiency, both at an individual as well as a societal level.