Status of epidemiology in the WHO South-East Asia region: burden of disease, determinants of health and epidemiological research, workforce and training capacity

Dhillon, Preet K.; Jeemon, Panniyammakal; Arora, Narendra K.; Mathur, Prashant; Maskey, Mahesh; Sukirna, Ratna Djuwita; Prabhakaran, Dorairaj

doi:10.1093/ije/dys046

Cited by 63 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…These factors are in line with the WHO list of social determinants of health (SDH) [67] that exist as impediments to attain the SDGs. While the SDG3 requires multi-sectoral approach beyond the health sector, addressing the social determinants of health and attaining universal health coverage are essential routes to the attainment of SDG3 [68].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

The potential of health literacy to address the health related UN sustainable development goal 3 (SDG3) in Nepal: a rapid review

Budhathoki

Pokharel

Good

et al. 2017

BMC Health Serv Res

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BackgroundHealth literacy has been linked to health outcomes across population groups around the world. Nepal, a low income country, experiences the double burden of highly prevalent communicable as well as non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has positioned health literacy as a key mechanism to meet the health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG3). However, there is little known about the status of health literacy in developing countries such as Nepal. This paper aims to review the potential of health literacy to address SDG3 in Nepal.MethodsA rapid review was conducted using the knowledge to action evidence summary approach. Articles included in the review were those reporting on barriers to health care engagements in Nepal published in English language between January 2000 and December 2015.ResultsBarriers for healthcare engagement included knowledge and education as strong factors, followed by culture, gender roles, quality of service and cost of services. These barriers influence the Nepalese community to access and engage with services, and make and enact healthcare decisions, not only at the individual level but at the family level. These factors are directly linked to health literacy. Health literacy is a pivotal determinant of understanding, accessing and using health information and health services, it is important that the health literacy needs of the people be addressed.ConclusionLocally identified and developed health literacy interventions may provide opportunities for systematic improvements in health to address impediments to healthcare in Nepal. Further research on health literacy and implementation of health literacy interventions may help reduce inequalities and increase the responsiveness of health systems which could potentially facilitate Nepal to meet the sustainable development goals. While there is currently little in place for health literacy to impact on the SDG3, this paper generates insights into health literacy’s potential role.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

The potential of health literacy to address the health related UN sustainable development goal 3 (SDG3) in Nepal: a rapid review

Budhathoki

Pokharel

Good

et al. 2017

BMC Health Serv Res

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“…130 The shortage of a trained workforce is observed at all levels of health care, including specialists, primary care physicians, and frontline health workers. There is an uneven distribution in numbers and in quality of the healthcare workforce, not only between rural and urban India, but also between and within different regions and states.…”

Section: Health System Preparedness and Quality Of Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiovascular Diseases in India

2016

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Abstract-Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have now become the leading cause of mortality in India. A quarter of all mortality is attributable to CVD. Ischemic heart disease and stroke are the predominant causes and are responsible for >80% of CVD deaths. The Global Burden of Disease study estimate of age-standardized CVD death rate of 272 per 100 000 population in India is higher than the global average of 235 per 100 000 population. Some aspects of the CVD epidemic in India are particular causes of concern, including its accelerated buildup, the early age of disease onset in the population, and the high case fatality rate. In India, the epidemiological transition from predominantly infectious disease conditions to noncommunicable diseases has occurred over a rather brief period of time. Premature mortality in terms of years of life lost because of CVD in India increased by 59%, from 23.2 million (1990) to 37 million (2010). Despite wide heterogeneity in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors across different regions, CVD has emerged as the leading cause of death in all parts of India, including poorer states and rural areas. The progression of the epidemic is characterized by the reversal of socioeconomic gradients; tobacco use and low fruit and vegetable intake have become more prevalent among those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds frequently do not receive optimal therapy, leading to poorer outcomes. Countering the epidemic requires the development of strategies such as the formulation and effective implementation of evidencebased policy, reinforcement of health systems, and emphasis on prevention, early detection, and treatment with the use of both conventional and innovative techniques. Several ongoing community-based studies are testing these strategies.

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“…Epidemiological capacity is lowest in Africa and in south Asia, which are the world’s regions with the greatest disease burden. 3,4 Not only are fewer epidemiologists trained there than in other regions, but poor working conditions and low salaries contribute to the epidemiological brain drain from these areas, similar to the situation for doctors and nurses. An epidemiological divide clearly exists.…”

Section: The Causes Of Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

John Snow's legacy: epidemiology without borders

Fine¹,

Victora²,

Rothman³

et al. 2013

The Lancet

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This Review provides abstracts from a meeting held at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on April 11–12, 2013, to celebrate the legacy of John Snow. They describe conventional and unconventional applications of epidemiological methods to problems ranging from diarrhoeal disease, mental health, cancer, and accident care, to education, poverty, financial networks, crime, and violence. Common themes appear throughout, including recognition of the importance of Snow’s example, the philosophical and practical implications of assessment of causality, and an emphasis on the evaluation of preventive, ameliorative, and curative interventions, in a wide variety of medical and societal examples. Almost all self-described epidemiologists nowadays work within the health arena, and this is the focus of most of the societies, journals, and courses that carry the name epidemiology. The range of applications evident in these contributions might encourage some of these institutions to consider broadening their remits. In so doing, they may contribute more directly to, and learn from, non-health-related areas that use the language and methods of epidemiology to address many important problems now facing the world.

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Status of epidemiology in the WHO South-East Asia region: burden of disease, determinants of health and epidemiological research, workforce and training capacity

Cited by 63 publications

References 17 publications

The potential of health literacy to address the health related UN sustainable development goal 3 (SDG3) in Nepal: a rapid review

The potential of health literacy to address the health related UN sustainable development goal 3 (SDG3) in Nepal: a rapid review

Cardiovascular Diseases in India

John Snow's legacy: epidemiology without borders

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