[EQ] The Global Burden of Trachoma: A Review

The Global Burden of Trachoma: A Review

Matthew J. Burton, David C. W. Mabey

Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

 

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 3(10): e460. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000460

Editor: Simon Brooker, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom - Published October 27, 2009

Available online at:

http://www.plosntds.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pntd.0000460

“……Trachoma is the commonest infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Recurrent infection of the ocular surface by Chlamydia trachomatis, the causative agent, leads to inturning of the eyelashes (trichiasis) and blinding corneal opacification.

 

Trachoma is endemic in more than 50 countries. It is currently estimated that there are about 1.3 million people blind from the disease and a further 8.2 million have trichiasis. Several estimates for the burden of disease from trachoma have been made, giving quite variable results.

 

The variation is partly because different prevalence data have been used and partly because different sequelae have been included. The most recent estimate from the WHO placed it at around 1.3 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). A key issue in producing a reliable estimate of the global burden of trachoma is the limited amount of reliable survey data from endemic regions….”

 

“….Several attempts have been made to estimate both the burden and cost of trachoma. It remains a significant problem with a high burden of disability. Encouragingly the reported numbers of people affected by trachoma appears to be steadily declining.

However, current burden estimates are limited in reliability because of the paucity of survey data available on which to base estimates of the total number of cases. There is also variability over whether to include trichiasis, in the absence of visual impairment.

 

In order to develop more robust estimates of the burden of trachoma there needs to be a coordinated effort to conduct population-based surveys with a national sampling frame in representative countries from endemic regions….”

 

*      *      *     *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMS Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO website: http://66.101.212.219/equity/
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.  

[EQ] Managing chronic conditions: Experience in eight countries

Managing chronic conditions: Experience in eight countries
 

The editors

Ellen Nolte, Senior Lecturer at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.

Cécile Knai, Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.

Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Head of Research Policy of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

World Health Organization 2008, on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
 

Full text of the book [PDF 1MB -202p.] at:http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E92058.pdf

 

 “…..One of the greatest challenges facing health systems in the 21st century is the need to develop effective approaches to address the growing burden of chronic disease. Chronic diseases are complex and require a long-term, multifaceted response that coordinates inputs from a wide range of health professionals, essential medicines and – where appropriate – monitoring equipment, all of which is optimally embedded within a system that promotes patient empowerment.

With many health systems still largely built around an acute, episodic model of care, health professionals, policy-makers and patient organizations struggle to respond in ways that meet the needs of people with complex chronic health problems.

 

This book examines the health system response to the rising burden of chronic disease in eight countries:
Denmark, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia and Canada

It provides a detailed assessment of the current situation, a description of the policy framework and future scenarios, as well as evaluation and lessons learned.

It shows that many different strategies are being implemented, with different models of care at varying degrees of development, and with differing comprehensiveness. Perhaps not surprisingly, the approaches adopted often reflect the characteristics of each health system, each with its own governance mechanisms and relationships between, and responsibilities of, different stakeholders. Nonetheless, there are many lessons for those seeking to develop effective responses to this common challenge. …”

 

Contributors include: Carl-Ardy Dubois, Isabelle Durand-Zaleski, Daragh K Fahey, Anne Frølich, Nicholas Glasgow, Mark Harris, Iqbal Hasan, Izzat Jiwani, Tanisha Jowsey, Ingvar Karlberg, Eveline Klein Lankhorst, Cécile Knai, Allan Krasnik, Martin McKee, Ellen Nolte, Olivier Obrecht, Michaela L. Schiøtz, Ulrich Siering, Debra de Silva, Cor Spreeuwenberg and Nicholas Zwar.

 

*      *      *     *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMS Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO website: http://66.101.212.219/equity/
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.