Epidemics and the Health of African Nations

Epidemics and the Health of African Nations PDF Author: MISTRA
Publisher: The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA)
ISBN: 0639995594
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 441

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Book Description
News footage of disease in Africa is a familiar sight. Yet these outbreaks are often presented out of context, with no reference to the conditions that have triggered them. MISTRA’s new book, Epidemics and the Health of African Nations, aims to redress that. Researchers and practitioners from within the continent explore why Africa is so vulnerable to disease, and show how this vulnerability is closely linked to political and economic factors. They demonstrate how these same factors determine the way epidemics are treated. Authors extract lessons from case studies in different parts of Africa; challenge conventional frameworks about disease to argue for a ‘syndemics’ approach that takes into account the interrelationship between disease and political and socio-economic contexts; explore challenges of Africa’s future. They argue that a well-functioning health system is at the core of a country’s capacity to counter an epidemic. This volume brings African experts together to probe possible solutions to the continent’s heavy burden of disease. The insights offered will be helpful in devising policy for the control of disease and the combatting of epidemics in Africa.

The Ebola Epidemic in West Africa

The Ebola Epidemic in West Africa PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309450063
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 137

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Book Description
The most recent Ebola epidemic that began in late 2013 alerted the entire world to the gaps in infectious disease emergency preparedness and response. The regional outbreak that progressed to a significant public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in a matter of months killed 11,310 and infected more than 28,616. While this outbreak bears some unique distinctions to past outbreaks, many characteristics remain the same and contributed to tragic loss of human life and unnecessary expenditure of capital: insufficient knowledge of the disease, its reservoirs, and its transmission; delayed prevention efforts and treatment; poor control of the disease in hospital settings; and inadequate community and international responses. Recognizing the opportunity to learn from the countless lessons of this epidemic, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop in March 2015 to discuss the challenges to successful outbreak responses at the scientific, clinical, and global health levels. Workshop participants explored the epidemic from multiple perspectives, identified important questions about Ebola that remained unanswered, and sought to apply this understanding to the broad challenges posed by Ebola and other emerging pathogens, to prevent the international community from being taken by surprise once again in the face of these threats. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Preparing for the Future of HIV/AIDS in Africa

Preparing for the Future of HIV/AIDS in Africa PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309212073
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
HIV/AIDS is a catastrophe globally but nowhere more so than in sub-Saharan Africa, which in 2008 accounted for 67 percent of cases worldwide and 91 percent of new infections. The Institute of Medicine recommends that the United States and African nations move toward a strategy of shared responsibility such that these nations are empowered to take ownership of their HIV/AIDS problem and work to solve it.

economic benefit of tuberculosis control

economic benefit of tuberculosis control PDF Author: Ramanan Laxminarayan
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Africa
Languages : en
Pages : 59

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Book Description
Abstract: Tuberculosis is the most important infectious cause of adult deaths after HIV/AIDS in low- and middle-income countries. This paper evaluates the economic benefits of extending the World Health Organization's DOTS Strategy (a multi-component approach that includes directly observed treatment, short course chemotherapy and several other components) as proposed in the Global Plan to Stop TB, 2006-2015. The authors use a model-based approach that combines epidemiological projections of averted mortality and economic benefits measured using value of statistical life for the Sub-Saharan Africa region and the 22 high-burden, tuberculosis-endemic countries in the world. The analysis finds that the economic benefits between 2006 and 2015 of sustaining DOTS at current levels relative to having no DOTS coverage are significantly greater than the costs in the 22 high-burden, tuberculosis-endemic countries and the Africa region. The marginal benefits of implementing the Global Plan to Stop TB relative to a no-DOTS scenario exceed the marginal costs by a factor of 15 in the 22 high-burden endemic countries, a factor of 9 (95% CI, 8-9) in the Africa region, and a factor of 9 (95% CI, 9-10) in the nine high-burden African countries. Uncertainty analysis shows that benefit-cost ratios of the Global Plan strategy relative to sustained DOTS were unambiguously greater than one in all nine high-burden countries in Africa and in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia. Although HIV curtails the effect of the tuberculosis programs by lowering the life expectancy of those receiving treatment, the benefits of the Global Plan are greatest in African countries with high levels of HIV.

CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel

CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel PDF Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190628634
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 705

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Book Description
THE ESSENTIAL WORK IN TRAVEL MEDICINE -- NOW COMPLETELY UPDATED FOR 2018 As unprecedented numbers of travelers cross international borders each day, the need for up-to-date, practical information about the health challenges posed by travel has never been greater. For both international travelers and the health professionals who care for them, the CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel is the definitive guide to staying safe and healthy anywhere in the world. The fully revised and updated 2018 edition codifies the U.S. government's most current health guidelines and information for international travelers, including pretravel vaccine recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts. The 2018 Yellow Book also addresses the needs of specific types of travelers, with dedicated sections on: · Precautions for pregnant travelers, immunocompromised travelers, and travelers with disabilities · Special considerations for newly arrived adoptees, immigrants, and refugees · Practical tips for last-minute or resource-limited travelers · Advice for air crews, humanitarian workers, missionaries, and others who provide care and support overseas Authored by a team of the world's most esteemed travel medicine experts, the Yellow Book is an essential resource for travelers -- and the clinicians overseeing their care -- at home and abroad.

Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures

Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures PDF Author: Victor R. Preedy
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9780387786667
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 758

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Book Description
This handbook features in-depth reviews of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), quality of life and financial measures for over 120 diseases and conditions. Its editors have organized this critical information for maximum access and ease of use, with abstracts, definitions of key terms, summary points, and dozens of figures and tables that can enhance the text or stand alone.

International Health Regulations (2005)

International Health Regulations (2005) PDF Author: World Health Organization
Publisher: World Health Organization
ISBN: 9241580410
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 82

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Book Description
In response to the call of the 48th World Health Assembly for a substantial revision of the International Health Regulations, this new edition of the Regulations will enter into force on June 15, 2007. The purpose and scope of the Regulations are "to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade." The Regulations also cover certificates applicable to international travel and transport, and requirements for international ports, airports and ground crossings.

The Hyena Wears Darkness

The Hyena Wears Darkness PDF Author: Chimombo, Steve
Publisher: Luviri Press
ISBN: 9996060233
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 69

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Book Description
Some people often ignore the fact that writers respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic by using it as a theme in their poetry, fiction, and plays. Steve Chimombo started recording the writers’ responses as early as 1990 and wrote ‘AIDS and the Writer’ in WASI: the magazine for the arts. The article reported the results of a poetry competition organized by the Ministry of Health on the theme, and there have been other competitions also by different institutions since then. Some radio and television programs have also called upon the writer to help in the dissemination of information to their listeners. The Hyena Wears Darkness is the author’s own contribution to the national Malawian campaign to educate the public on the pandemic. Its focus is on those cultural practices which help propagate HIV/AIDS in Malawian society.

Socio-cultural Dimensions of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Africa

Socio-cultural Dimensions of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Africa PDF Author: Godfrey B. Tangwa
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030174743
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
This volume examines the most important socio-cultural, political, economic, and policy issues related to emerging infectious diseases in Africa. The volume covers the work of the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET); it looks at the challenges of science education and communication in Africa, the global health and governance of pandemics and epidemics, and more. It looks beyond such threats as Ebola, SARS, and Zika to consider the ways communities have sought to contain these and other deadly pathogens. The chapters provide a better understanding of a global health problem from an African perspective, which help clarify to readers why some responses have worked while others have not. Overall, the volume captures the state of the art, science, preparedness, and evolution of a topic important to the health of Africa and the world. It has a broad appeal across disciplines, from medical science and biomedical research, through research ethics, regulation and governance, science and health communication, social sciences, and is also of interest to general readers.

Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 9)

Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 9) PDF Author: Dean T. Jamison
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464805288
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 744

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Book Description
As the culminating volume in the DCP3 series, volume 9 will provide an overview of DCP3 findings and methods, a summary of messages and substantive lessons to be taken from DCP3, and a further discussion of cross-cutting and synthesizing topics across the first eight volumes. The introductory chapters (1-3) in this volume take as their starting point the elements of the Essential Packages presented in the overview chapters of each volume. First, the chapter on intersectoral policy priorities for health includes fiscal and intersectoral policies and assembles a subset of the population policies and applies strict criteria for a low-income setting in order to propose a "highest-priority" essential package. Second, the chapter on packages of care and delivery platforms for universal health coverage (UHC) includes health sector interventions, primarily clinical and public health services, and uses the same approach to propose a highest priority package of interventions and policies that meet similar criteria, provides cost estimates, and describes a pathway to UHC.