Capturing the Complexity of Superdemics through a Living Scientific Paper

Abstract Superdemics produce rapidly evolving biological, social, and system-level changes that outlast the initial outbreak. Yet the knowledge generated around them remains highly fragmented across disciplines, geographies, and time, limiting the ability of researchers and policymakers to maintain a coherent and up-to-date understanding. Traditional static publications cannot keep pace with shifting epidemiology, emerging technologies, and fast-changing community and programmatic realities. This paper proposes a living scientific paper (LSP) as a solution: a continuously updated, version-controlled document that integrates diverse evidence streams, maintains stable citations, and allows new contributors and modules to be added over time. By incorporating new data, case studies, policy shifts, and technological developments through a transparent workflow and detailed version history, an LSP functions as a dynamic, longitudinal knowledge system. It reduces redundancy, enhances collaboration, and provides a real-time synthesis essential for guiding prevention, policy, and practice in complex superdemics.