Optical techniques offer an ideal solution for global healthcare challenges, thanks to their low cost, high sensitivity to a wide range of molecules and analytes, and their portability and durability. However, designing technologies for global health requires careful consideration of diverse use cases, operating environments, and local needs. Successful standardization and commercialization also depend on creative approaches that account for regional regulations, available resources, and other local factors. 

The BIOS special section "Biophotonics in Global Health," edited by Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Vanderlei Bagnato, and Jenna Mueller, includes articles that focus on these and related issues, reflecting the current state of the biophotonics community while highlighting future directions. The section is published as a series in Biophotonics Discovery (BIOS) Volume 2. The articles are collected here.

Editorial: Biophotonics in Global Health    

Vanderlei S. Bagnato, Rebecca Richards-Kortum, and Jenna Mueller

Optimization of a mobile imaging system to aid in evaluating patients with oral lesions in a dental care setting     

Ruchika Mitbander, Jennifer Carns, Richard A. Schwarz, Sean Anderson, Geethanjali Vipulanandan, Miriam Hernandez, Amelia E. Hartzell, Jun Jiao, Ilona Rutkowska, Safia Durab, Sahar Sadeghi, Ashlee D. Clayton, Nancy Bass, Loganayaki Anandasivam, Rachel A. Giese, Ann M. Gillenwater, Nadarajah Vigneswaran, and Rebecca Richards-Kortum

In vivo fundus imaging and computational refocusing with a diffuser-based fundus camera     

Corey Simmerer, Marisa Morakis, Lei Tian, Lia Gomez-Perez, T. Y. Alvin Liu, and Nicholas J. Durr

Enabling point of care optical diagnostics and treatment of oral lesions in resource-limited settings: preclinical development and evaluation of a low-cost theranostic intraoral device for image-guided photodynamic therapy 

Shakir Khan, Bofan Song, Mohammad Saad, Danshyl Boodhoo, Sergio Farias, Jonathan Trzcinski, Shaobai Li, Lothar Lilge, Brian Pogue, Rongguang Liang, Tayyaba Hasan, and Jonathan Celli

Low-cost optical system for laser phacoemulsification of cataracts 

Mitchell Harrah, Abdul Mohaimen Safi, Sadhu Moka, Ramesh Ayyala, and Ashwin B. Parthasarathy

Radiomic identification of anemia features in monochromatic conjunctiva photographs in school-age children 

Shaun Hong, Sang Mok Park, Semin Kwon, Haripriya Sakthivel, Jung Woo Leem, Steven Steinhubl, Pascal Ngiruwonsanga, Jean-Louis Mangara, Célestin Twizere, and Young L. Kim

Improved performance and design of a low-cost laparoscope to enable laparoscopic surgery in low-income countries 

Anne Christine Barnes, Michele L. Kaluzienski, Jason Chen, Tri T. Quang, Talya Simcox, Paula Kworekwa, Rebecca Kaaya, Robert Ssekitoleko, Kevin Aroom, John Rzasa, Tamara Fitzgerald, and Jenna L. Mueller