Displaying publications 141 - 160 of 442 in total

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  1. Sharma A, Ahmad Farouk I, Lal SK
    Viruses, 2021 Jan 29;13(2).
    PMID: 33572857 DOI: 10.3390/v13020202
    Three major outbreaks of the coronavirus, a zoonotic virus known to cause respiratory disease, have been reported since 2002, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and the most recent 2019-nCoV, or more recently known as SARS-CoV-2. Bats are known to be the primary animal reservoir for coronaviruses. However, in the past few decades, the virus has been able to mutate and adapt to infect humans, resulting in an animal-to-human species barrier jump. The emergence of a novel coronavirus poses a serious global public health threat and possibly carries the potential of causing a major pandemic outbreak in the naïve human population. The recent outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China has infected over 36.5 million individuals and claimed over one million lives worldwide, as of 8 October 2020. The novel virus is rapidly spreading across China and has been transmitted to 213 other countries/territories across the globe. Researchers have reported that the virus is constantly evolving and spreading through asymptomatic carriers, further suggesting a high global health threat. To this end, current up-to-date information on the coronavirus evolution and SARS-CoV-2 modes of transmission, detection techniques and current control and prevention strategies are summarized in this review.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  2. GBD 2019 Meningitis Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators
    Lancet Neurol, 2023 Aug;22(8):685-711.
    PMID: 37479374 DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00195-3
    BACKGROUND: Although meningitis is largely preventable, it still causes hundreds of thousands of deaths globally each year. WHO set ambitious goals to reduce meningitis cases by 2030, and assessing trends in the global meningitis burden can help track progress and identify gaps in achieving these goals. Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we aimed to assess incident cases and deaths due to acute infectious meningitis by aetiology and age from 1990 to 2019, for 204 countries and territories.

    METHODS: We modelled meningitis mortality using vital registration, verbal autopsy, sample-based vital registration, and mortality surveillance data. Meningitis morbidity was modelled with a Bayesian compartmental model, using data from the published literature identified by a systematic review, as well as surveillance data, inpatient hospital admissions, health insurance claims, and cause-specific meningitis mortality estimates. For aetiology estimation, data from multiple causes of death, vital registration, hospital discharge, microbial laboratory, and literature studies were analysed by use of a network analysis model to estimate the proportion of meningitis deaths and cases attributable to the following aetiologies: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, and a residual other pathogen category.

    FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 236 000 deaths (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 204 000-277 000) and 2·51 million (2·11-2·99) incident cases due to meningitis globally. The burden was greatest in children younger than 5 years, with 112 000 deaths (87 400-145 000) and 1·28 million incident cases (0·947-1·71) in 2019. Age-standardised mortality rates decreased from 7·5 (6·6-8·4) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 3·3 (2·8-3·9) per 100 000 population in 2019. The highest proportion of total all-age meningitis deaths in 2019 was attributable to S pneumoniae (18·1% [17·1-19·2]), followed by N meningitidis (13·6% [12·7-14·4]) and K pneumoniae (12·2% [10·2-14·3]). Between 1990 and 2019, H influenzae showed the largest reduction in the number of deaths among children younger than 5 years (76·5% [69·5-81·8]), followed by N meningitidis (72·3% [64·4-78·5]) and viruses (58·2% [47·1-67·3]).

    INTERPRETATION: Substantial progress has been made in reducing meningitis mortality over the past three decades. However, more meningitis-related deaths might be prevented by quickly scaling up immunisation and expanding access to health services. Further reduction in the global meningitis burden should be possible through low-cost multivalent vaccines, increased access to accurate and rapid diagnostic assays, enhanced surveillance, and early treatment.

    FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  3. GBD 2019 Diabetes Mortality Collaborators
    Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, 2022 Mar;10(3):177-192.
    PMID: 35143780 DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00349-1
    BACKGROUND: Diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, at younger ages can be a largely preventable cause of death with the correct health care and services. We aimed to evaluate diabetes mortality and trends at ages younger than 25 years globally using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019.

    METHODS: We used estimates of GBD 2019 to calculate international diabetes mortality at ages younger than 25 years in 1990 and 2019. Data sources for causes of death were obtained from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and other surveillance systems for 1990-2019. We estimated death rates for each location using the GBD Cause of Death Ensemble model. We analysed the association of age-standardised death rates per 100 000 population with the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and a measure of universal health coverage (UHC) and described the variability within SDI quintiles. We present estimates with their 95% uncertainty intervals.

    FINDINGS: In 2019, 16 300 (95% uncertainty interval 14 200 to 18 900) global deaths due to diabetes (type 1 and 2 combined) occurred in people younger than 25 years and 73·7% (68·3 to 77·4) were classified as due to type 1 diabetes. The age-standardised death rate was 0·50 (0·44 to 0·58) per 100 000 population, and 15 900 (97·5%) of these deaths occurred in low to high-middle SDI countries. The rate was 0·13 (0·12 to 0·14) per 100 000 population in the high SDI quintile, 0·60 (0·51 to 0·70) per 100 000 population in the low-middle SDI quintile, and 0·71 (0·60 to 0·86) per 100 000 population in the low SDI quintile. Within SDI quintiles, we observed large variability in rates across countries, in part explained by the extent of UHC (r2=0·62). From 1990 to 2019, age-standardised death rates decreased globally by 17·0% (-28·4 to -2·9) for all diabetes, and by 21·0% (-33·0 to -5·9) when considering only type 1 diabetes. However, the low SDI quintile had the lowest decline for both all diabetes (-13·6% [-28·4 to 3·4]) and for type 1 diabetes (-13·6% [-29·3 to 8·9]).

    INTERPRETATION: Decreasing diabetes mortality at ages younger than 25 years remains an important challenge, especially in low and low-middle SDI countries. Inadequate diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is likely to be major contributor to these early deaths, highlighting the urgent need to provide better access to insulin and basic diabetes education and care. This mortality metric, derived from readily available and frequently updated GBD data, can help to monitor preventable diabetes-related deaths over time globally, aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Targets, and serve as an indicator of the adequacy of basic diabetes care for type 1 and type 2 diabetes across nations.

    FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  4. Bhore SJ
    Cien Saude Colet, 2020 Nov;25(11):4347-4350.
    PMID: 33175043 DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320202511.33622018
    On 31st May of every year, in honour of the 'World No Tobacco Day (WNTD),' the international community does organise various events and encourages avoiding all forms of Tobacco consumption. To commemorate WNTD-2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted awareness to highlight the link between Tobacco and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Because, Tobacco use is the second leading cause of CVD, after high blood pressure. In addition to CVD, Tobacco use is also known to cause many non-communicable diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and other complicated disorders caused by smoking. In fact, non-communicable diseases are now emerging as the primary disease burden. Globally, Tobacco use kills about 7 million people each year, and if the trend remains the same, then it will kill more than 8 million people per year by 2030. On the contrary, despite promoting awareness, the Tobacco industry is growing with little or no regulation. However, in the long run, the global community will not be able to afford business as usual as Tobacco has a direct impact on human health, environmental health and sustainable development.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  5. Engku Abd Rahman ENS, Irekeola AA, Yamin D, Elmi AH, Chan YY
    PeerJ, 2024;12:e18604.
    PMID: 39703916 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18604
    Borderline oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (BORSA) has been a persistent yet under-researched concern in the realm of antibiotic resistance, characterized by unique resistance mechanisms and potential for severe infections. This systematic review and meta-analysis consolidates data from 29 studies encompassing 18,781 samples, revealing a global BORSA prevalence of 6.6% (95% CI [4.0-10.7]). The highest prevalence was found in animals (46.3%), followed by food (8.9%), and humans (5.1%). Notably, significant regional disparities were observed, with Brazil exhibiting the highest prevalence at 70.0%, while The Netherlands reported just 0.5%. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of BORSA epidemiology, influenced by local antibiotic usage practices and healthcare infrastructures. The analysis also reveals substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 96.802%), highlighting the need for improved reporting practices and tailored surveillance protocols that account for the specific contexts of each study. As antibiotic resistance continues to escalate, understanding BORSA's global footprint is crucial for informing targeted interventions and optimizing antibiotic stewardship programs. This study fills critical gaps in current knowledge of BORSA and highlights the need for coordinated efforts among researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to develop effective strategies for addressing the rising threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens like BORSA, including further exploration of its genetic and phenotypic characteristics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  6. Li J, Fong DYT, Lok KYW, Wong JYH, Ho MM, Choi EPH, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2025 Jan 10;15:04011.
    PMID: 39791329 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.15.04011
    BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify the central lifestyle, the most impactful among lifestyle factor clusters; the central health outcome, the most impactful among health outcome clusters; and the bridge lifestyle, the most strongly connected to health outcome clusters, across 29 countries to optimise resource allocation for local holistic health improvements.

    METHODS: From July 2020 to August 2021, we surveyed 16 461 adults across 29 countries who self-reported changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes due to the pandemic. Three networks were generated by network analysis for each country: lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks. We identified the variables with the highest bridge expected influence as central or bridge variables. Network validation included nonparametric and case-dropping subset bootstrapping, and centrality difference tests confirmed that the central or bridge variables had significantly higher expected influence than other variables within the same network.

    RESULTS: Among 87 networks, 75 were validated with correlation-stability coefficients above 0.25. Nine central lifestyle types were identified in 28 countries: cooking at home (in 11 countries), food types in daily meals (in one country), less smoking tobacco (in two countries), less alcohol consumption (in two countries), less duration of sitting (in three countries), less consumption of snacks (in five countries), less sugary drinks (in five countries), having a meal at home (in two countries), taking alternative medicine or natural health products (in one country). Six central health outcomes were noted among 28 countries: social support received (in three countries), physical health (in one country), sleep quality (in four countries), quality of life (in seven countries), less mental burden (in three countries), less emotional distress (in 13 countries). Three bridge lifestyles were identified in 19 countries: food types in daily meals (in one country), cooking at home (in one country), overall amount of exercise (in 17 countries). The centrality difference test showed the central and bridge variables had significantly higher centrality indices than others in their networks (P health outcome, and bridge lifestyle factors, respectively. However, notable regional variations necessitate tailored interventions and resource allocations to effectively address unique local key variables and promote holistic health in each locale. The study's cross-sectional design and self-reported data may limit generalisability, emphasising the need for cautious interpretation and further longitudinal research.

    KEYWORDS: global; across-country comparisons; lifestyle; health outcomes; network analysis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  7. Rahman MA, Das P, Lam L, Alif SM, Sultana F, Salehin M, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Jul 11;24(1):1848.
    PMID: 38992680 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19365-1
    BACKGROUND: The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally.

    METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries. Job insecurity was measured using the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), burnout using the Perceived Burnout measure question, psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and coping using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify associations.

    RESULTS: A total of 2,353 staff participated; the mean age (± SD) was 43(± 10) years and 61% were females. Most staff (85%) did not feel job insecurity, one-third (29%) perceived burnout in their jobs, more than two-thirds (73%) experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, and more than half (58%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping. Perceived job insecurity was associated with staff working part-time [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.53 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.15-2.02)], having an academic appointment [2.45 (1.78-3.27)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.86 (1.41-2.48)], perceived burnout [1.99 (1.54-2.56)] and moderate to very high level of psychological distress [1.68 (1.18-2.39)]. Perceived burnout was associated with being female [1.35 (1.12-1.63)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.53 (1.20-1.97)], perceived job insecurity [1.99 (1.55-2.57)], and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress [3.23 (2.42-4.30)]. Staff with multiple co-morbidities [1.46 (1.11-1.92)], mental health issues [2.73 (1.79-4.15)], perceived job insecurity [1.61 (1.13-2.30)], and perceived burnout [3.22 (2.41-4.31)] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Staff who perceived their mental health as good to excellent [3.36 (2.69-4.19)] were more likely to have medium to high resilient coping.

    CONCLUSIONS: Factors identified in this study should be considered in reviewing and updating current support strategies for staff at HE institutions across all countries to reduce stress and burnout and improve wellbeing.

    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  8. de Smalen AW, Chan ZX, Abreu Lopes C, Vanore M, Loganathan T, Pocock NS
    BMJ Open, 2021 Jan 18;11(1):e041379.
    PMID: 33462099 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041379
    BACKGROUND: A large number of international migrants in Malaysia face challenges in obtaining good health, the extent of which is still relatively unknown. This study aims to map the existing academic literature on migrant health in Malaysia and to provide an overview of the topical coverage, quality and level of evidence of these scientific studies.

    METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using six databases, including Econlit, Embase, Global Health, Medline, PsycINFO and Social Policy and Practice. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were conducted in Malaysia, peer-reviewed, focused on a health dimension according to the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII) framework, and targeted the vulnerable international migrant population. Data were extracted by using the BARHII framework and a newly developed decision tree to identify the type of study design and corresponding level of evidence. Modified Joanna Briggs Institute checklists were used to assess study quality, and a multiple-correspondence analysis (MCA) was conducted to identify associations between different variables.

    RESULTS: 67 publications met the selection criteria and were included in the study. The majority (n=41) of studies included foreign workers. Over two-thirds (n=46) focused on disease and injury, and a similar number (n=46) had descriptive designs. The average quality of the papers was low, yet quality differed significantly among them. The MCA showed that high-quality studies were mostly qualitative designs that included refugees and focused on living conditions, while prevalence and analytical cross-sectional studies were mostly of low quality.

    CONCLUSION: This study provides an overview of the scientific literature on migrant health in Malaysia published between 1965 and 2019. In general, the quality of these studies is low, and various health dimensions have not been thoroughly researched. Therefore, researchers should address these issues to improve the evidence base to support policy-makers with high-quality evidence for decision-making.

    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health
  9. Mondal MN, Shitan M
    Afr Health Sci, 2013 Jun;13(2):301-10.
    PMID: 24235928 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v13i2.15
    All over the world the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has became a stumbling stone in progress of human civilization and is a huge concern for people worldwide.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  10. Field HE
    Zoonoses Public Health, 2009 Aug;56(6-7):278-84.
    PMID: 19497090 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01218.x
    Nearly 75% of all emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) that impact or threaten human health are zoonotic. The majority have spilled from wildlife reservoirs, either directly to humans or via domestic animals. The emergence of many can be attributed to predisposing factors such as global travel, trade, agricultural expansion, deforestation/habitat fragmentation, and urbanization; such factors increase the interface and/or the rate of contact between human, domestic animal, and wildlife populations, thereby creating increased opportunities for spillover events to occur. Infectious disease emergence can be regarded as primarily an ecological process. The epidemiological investigation of EIDs associated with wildlife requires a trans-disciplinary approach that includes an understanding of the ecology of the wildlife species, and an understanding of human behaviours that increase risk of exposure. Investigations of the emergence of Nipah virus in Malaysia in 1999 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China in 2003 provide useful case studies. The emergence of Nipah virus was associated with the increased size and density of commercial pig farms and their encroachment into forested areas. The movement of pigs for sale and slaughter in turn led to the rapid spread of infection to southern peninsular Malaysia, where the high-density, largely urban pig populations facilitated transmission to humans. Identifying the factors associated with the emergence of SARS in southern China requires an understanding of the ecology of infection both in the natural reservoir and in secondary market reservoir species. A necessary extension of understanding the ecology of the reservoir is an understanding of the trade, and of the social and cultural context of wildlife consumption. Emerging infectious diseases originating from wildlife populations will continue to threaten public health. Mitigating and managing the risk requires an appreciation of the connectedness between human, livestock and wildlife health, and of the factors and processes that disrupt the balance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  11. Paek E, Johnson R
    Gerontology, 2010;56(1):20-31.
    PMID: 19776543 DOI: 10.1159/000240046
    BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ), the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, occurs in 1 in 5 people worldwide and may result in a variety of complications, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Treatment of patients with HZ represents a considerable challenge, especially among the elderly who are prone to get a more severe form of the disease and its complications. Since May 2006, a vaccine was approved for the prevention of HZ or PHN among individuals aged 50 or 60 years and older.
    OBJECTIVE: Since the success of any new vaccine initiative depends on public awareness of the disease, we conducted the HZ Global Awareness Survey to gauge existing levels of awareness and knowledge of HZ.
    METHODS: The survey was conducted by telephone or face-to-face among 8,688 adults >OR=50 years of age in 22 countries between December 2006 and January 2007 and addressed awareness, knowledge, symptoms, and treatment of HZ.
    RESULTS: Wide variation in HZ awareness was noted among countries. In some countries (New Zealand, Brazil, and Malaysia) nearly all individuals surveyed (97-100%) over the age of 50 years had heard of HZ. In contrast, less than 20% of individuals surveyed were aware of HZ in Turkey, India and Chile. The survey revealed almost universally poor knowledge of the causes and symptoms of HZ. Only 3% of respondents mentioned chicken pox as the cause of the disease. The majority of respondents were unaware of their risk of HZ, with 71% considering themselves unlikely or very unlikely to develop HZ. The survey also revealed that those respondents with prior HZ experience were much more likely to consider pain as the worst symptom of the disease than those without prior HZ experience. The misconception of HZ-related morbidity among individuals with no first-hand experience of the disease highlights the global educational need to raise awareness of the seriousness of HZ and its potential long-term complications.
    CONCLUSIONS: This survey suggests a population-wide effort to improve global awareness of HZ would be required for a successful vaccine initiative. Further studies would be required to understand regional differences in the understanding of HZ.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  12. Yip CH, Anderson BO
    Expert Rev Anticancer Ther, 2007 Aug;7(8):1095-104.
    PMID: 18028018
    Breast cancer is an increasingly urgent problem in low- and mid-level resource countries of the world. Despite knowing the optimal management strategy based on guidelines developed in wealthy countries, clinicians are forced to provide less-than-optimal care to patients when diagnostic and/or treatment resources are lacking. For this reason, it is important to identify which resources commonly applied in resource-abundant countries most effectively fill the healthcare needs in limited-resource regions, where patients commonly present with more advanced disease at diagnosis, and to provide guidance on how new resource allocations should be made in order to maximize improvement in outcome. Established in 2002, the Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) created an international health alliance to develop evidence-based guidelines for countries with limited resources (low- and middle-income countries) to improve breast health outcomes. The BHGI serves as a program for international guideline development and as a hub for linkage among clinicians, governmental health agencies and advocacy groups to translate guidelines into policy and practice. The BHGI collaborated with 12 national and international health organizations, cancer societies and nongovernmental organizations to host two BHGI international summits. The evidence-based BHGI Guidelines, developed at the 2002 Global Summit, were published in 2003 as a theoretical treatise on international breast healthcare. These guidelines were then updated and expanded at the 2005 Global Summit into a fully comprehensive and flexible framework to permit incremental improvements in healthcare delivery, based upon outcomes, cost, cost-effectiveness and use of healthcare services.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  13. Chua KB
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Oct;60(4):401-3.
    PMID: 16570698
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  14. Seal CJ, Nugent AP, Tee ES, Thielecke F
    Br J Nutr, 2016 06;115(11):2031-8.
    PMID: 27082494 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114516001161
    Increased whole-grain (WG) consumption reduces the risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, is related to reduced body weight and weight gain and is related to improved intestinal health. Definitions of 'WG' and 'WG food' are proposed and used in some countries but are not consistent. Many countries promote WG consumption, but the emphasis given and the messages used vary. We surveyed dietary recommendations of fifty-three countries for mentions of WG to assess the extent, rationale and diversity in emphasis and wording of any recommendations. If present, recommendations were classified as either 'primary', where the recommendation was specific for WG, or 'secondary', where recommendations were made in order to achieve another (primary) target, most often dietary fibre intake. In total, 127 organisations were screened, including government, non-governmental organisations, charities and professional bodies, the WHO and European Food Safety Authority, of which forty-nine including WHO provide a WG intake recommendation. Recommendations ranged from 'specific' with specified target amounts (e.g. x g WG/d), 'semi-quantitative' where intake was linked to intake of cereal/carbohydrate foods with proportions of WG suggested (e.g. x servings of cereals of which y servings should be WG) to 'non-specific' based on 'eating more' WG or 'choosing WG where possible'. This lack of a harmonised message may result in confusion for the consumer, lessen the impact of public health messages and pose barriers to trade in the food industry. A science-based consensus or expert opinion on WG recommendations is needed, with a global reach to guide public health decision making and increase WG consumption globally.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  15. Royston G, Hagar C, Long LA, McMahon D, Pakenham-Walsh N, Wadhwani N, et al.
    Lancet Glob Health, 2015 Jul;3(7):e356-7.
    PMID: 26087979 DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(15)00054-6
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  16. Pinheiro FP, Corber SJ
    World Health Stat Q, 1997;50(3-4):161-9.
    PMID: 9477544
    About two-thirds of the world's population live in areas infested with dengue vectors, mainly Aedes aegypti. All four dengue viruses are circulating, sometimes simultaneously, in most of these areas. It is estimated that up to 80 million persons become infected annually although marked underreporting results in the notification of much smaller figures. Currently dengue is endemic in all continents except Europe and epidemic dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) occurs in Asia, the Americas and some Pacific islands. The incidence of DHF is much greater in the Asian countries than in other regions. In Asian countries the disease continues to affect children predominantly although a marked increase in the number of DHF cases in people over 15 years old has been observed in the Philippines and Malaysia during recent years. In the 1990's DHF has continued to show a higher incidence in South-East Asia, particularly in Viet Nam and Thailand which together account for more than two-thirds of the DHF cases reported in Asia. However, an increase in the number of reported cases has been noted in the Philippines, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, India, Singapore and Sri Lanka during the period 1991-1995 as compared to the preceding 5-year period. In the Americas, the emergence of epidemic DHF occurred in 1981 almost 30 years after its appearance in Asia, and its incidence is showing a marked upward trend. In 1981 Cuba reported the first major outbreak of DHF in the Americas, during which a total of 344,203 cases of dengue were notified, including 10,312 severe cases and 158 deaths. The DHF Cuban epidemic was associated with a strain of dengue-2 virus and it occurred four years after dengue-1 had been introduced in the island causing epidemics of dengue fever. Prior to this event suspected cases of DHF or fatal dengue cases had been reported by five countries but only a few of them fulfilled the WHO criteria for diagnosis of DHF. The outbreak in Cuba is the most important event in the history of dengue in the Americas. Subsequently to it, in every year except 1983, confirmed or suspected cases of DHF have been reported in the Region. The second major outbreak in the Americas occurred in Venezuela in 1989 and since then this country has suffered epidemics of DHF every year. Between 1981 and 1996 a total of 42,246 cases of DHF and 582 deaths were reported by 25 countries in the Americas, 53% of which originated from Venezuela and 24% from Cuba. Colombia, Nicaragua and Mexico have each reported over 1,000 cases during the period 1992-1996. About 74% of the Colombian cases and 97% of the Mexican cases were reported during 1995-1996. A main cause of the emergence of DHF in the Americas was the failure of the hemispheric campaign to eradicate Aedes aegypti. Following a successful period that resulted in the elimination of the mosquito from 18 countries by 1962, the programme began to decline and as a result there was a progressive dissemination of the vector so that by 1997 with the exception of Canada, Chile and Bermuda, all countries in the Americas are infested. Other factors contributing to the emergence/re-emergence of dengue/DHF include the rapid growth and urbanization of populations in Latin America and the Caribbean, and increased travel of persons which facilitates dissemination of dengue viruses. Presently, all four dengue serotypes are circulating in the Americas, thus increasing the risk for DHF in this region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*
  17. Chaiyakunapruk N, Kotirum S, Newall AT, Lambach P, Hutubessy RCW
    Influenza Other Respir Viruses, 2018 01;12(1):13-21.
    PMID: 29143498 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12491
    Influenza disease burden is recognized as one of the major public health problems globally. Much less is known about the economic burden of influenza especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A recent systematic review on the economic burden of influenza in LMICs suggests that information is scarce and/or incomplete and that there is a lack of standardized approaches for cost evaluations in LMICs. WHO commissioned and publicized a Manual for estimating the economic burden of seasonal influenza to support the standardization of estimates of the economic burden of seasonal influenza across countries. This article aims to describe the rationale of this manual development and opportunities that lie in collecting data to help policymakers estimate the economic burden of seasonal influenza. It describes a manual developed by WHO to help such estimation and also links to relevant literature and tools to ensure robustness of applied methods to assess the economic burden associated with seasonal influenza, including direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health/economics*
  18. Post MW, Reinhardt JD, Avellanet M, Escorpizo R, Engkasan JP, Schwegler U, et al.
    Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2020 12;101(12):2157-2166.
    PMID: 32673653 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.05.027
    OBJECTIVES: To describe the employment situation of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in 22 countries participating in the International Spinal Cord Injury community survey, to compare observed and predicted employment rates, to estimate gaps in employment rates among people with SCI compared with the general population, and to study differences in employment between men and women.

    DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

    SETTING: Community.

    PARTICIPANTS: People of employable age (N=9875; 18-64 y) with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI (including cauda equina syndrome) who were at least 18 years of age at the time of the survey, living in the community, and able to respond to one of the available language versions of the questionnaire.

    INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The observed employment rate was defined as performing paid work for at least 1 hour a week, and predicted employment rate was adjusted for sample composition from mixed logistic regression analysis.

    RESULTS: A total of 9875 participants were included (165-1174 per country). Considerable differences in sample composition were found. The observed worldwide employment rate was 38%. A wide variation was found across countries, ranging from 10.3% to 61.4%. Some countries showed substantially higher or lower employment rates than predicted based on the composition of their sample. Gaps between the observed employment rates among participants with SCI and the general population ranged from 14.8% to 54.8%. On average, employment rates were slightly higher among men compared with women, but with large variation across countries. Employment gaps, however, were smaller among women for most countries.

    CONCLUSIONS: This first worldwide survey among people with SCI shows an average employment rate of 38%. Differences between observed and predicted employment rates across countries point at country-specific factors that warrant further investigation. Gaps with employment rates in the general population were considerable and call for actions for more inclusive labor market policies in most of the countries investigated.

    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health/statistics & numerical data*
  19. Bickenbach J, Batistella L, Gutenbrunner C, Middleton J, Post MW, InSCI, et al.
    Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2020 12;101(12):2227-2232.
    PMID: 32663478 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.06.011
    As a community survey of individuals living with spinal cord injury in 22 countries, representing all 6 of the World Health Organization regions, the International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) community survey is one of the few surveys that highlights not only basic medical issues, but also the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on the everyday lives of people. The InSCI survey is part of a much larger project known as the Learning Health System for SCI Initiative (LHS-SCI). The objective of this article is to highlight some of the ongoing and planned next steps at the national and international levels. The implementation phase of the LHS-SCI initiative, beginning with the publication of primary results and extending until 2023, will use the results of the InSCI survey as evidence for implementation of recommendations for improving the societal response to the needs of individuals with SCI at the national level. To illustrate the variety of implementation activities currently underway, we provide country examples from Australia, Morocco, Malaysia, and Germany to demonstrate the diversity of approaches to the implementation of InSCI data. The implementation phase of the LHS-SCI initiative promises to usher in a new era of SCI research that will be seamlessly linked to ongoing and effective implementation actions, at both international and national levels and across settings from clinical practice, health systems management, and national policy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Global Health/statistics & numerical data*
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