Global theme issue on poverty and human development.

Poverty, infectious diseases, and human development have been, and continue to be, closely intertwined. Therefore, The Journal of Infectious Diseases (JID) is pleased to join a worldwide effort organized by the Council of Science Editors to put special emphasis on global poverty and human development during the month of October 2007. A special supplement to JID is being published this month, on “The Realities of Antiretroviral Therapy Rollout: Overcoming Challenges to Successful Programmatic Implementation.” This supplement addresses important obstacles facing HIV caregivers and patients in southern Africa. These obstacles include suboptimal health-care systems, limited formularies, limited awareness of available services, long distances to health-care facilities, concomitant tuberculosis, and stigma. Integrated programs to overcome these obstacles are discussed in this important supplement guest-edited by Dr. Bisola Ojikutu. In the current issue of JID, we are publishing a number of articles from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, where poverty is a major problem and where infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, viral gastroenteritis, and HIV infection are prevalent. These articles illustrate issues ranging from the molecular genetics and immunology of these infections to their epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. We hope that both the current issue of JID and the special supplement will help enhance worldwide awareness of the connected issues of poverty, infectious diseases, and human development, as well as emphasize the importance of a multifaceted scientific research approach to address these critical issues.