- An estimated 1.2 billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases. In 2007, 546 million people were treated to prevent the parasitic disease lymphatic filariasis (also known as elephantiasis), which causes enlargement of parts of the body.
- The availability of essential medicines at public health facilities is often poor and prices remain high, even for generic medicine.
- There are now more than 3 million people in developing countries receiving antiretroviral therapy, which proves that complex treatment for chronic disease is possible in low-income settings.
- Adolescent pregnancy rates remain high. Globally, there were 48 births for every 1000 women aged 15–19 years in 2006, a small decline from 51 per 1000 in 2000.
- Out of every 100 deaths worldwide, 51 are due to noncommunicable conditions; 34 to communicable, maternal or nutritional conditions; and 14 to injuries. Changes in population age structures, risk factors and disease patterns are resulting in increases in the proportion of deaths due to noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancers and road traffic accidents. Many developing countries have to cope with a double burden of both infectious and noncommunicable diseases that is overwhelming their health care systems. Action needs to be taken now to implement preventive interventions including reductions in tobacco use, overweight and obesity, and high blood pressure.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
NDC urges EC to resolve issues in the limited registration to restore public confidence
2 mins -
Collins Dauda’s arrest unfounded; he was nowhere near Kuokoum disturbances – NDC
15 mins -
MTN FA Cup: Nsoatreman midfielder Manaf Umar credits hard work for victory over Legon Cities
18 mins -
MTN FA Cup: The team played with character to beat Dreams FC – Bofoakwa Tano coach
29 mins -
EC corrects ‘mistakes’ in limited voter registration figures
38 mins -
Minority pushes for detailed plan on tablet distribution to Senior High Schools
49 mins -
Alexander Djiku scores in Fenerbahce’s big win over Kayserispor
1 hour -
Ghana to lobby AU for intercontinental initiative on reparations – Akufo-Addo
1 hour -
African Anti-corruption agencies embrace Bawumia’s call for technology use in corruption fight
2 hours -
See the regional breakdown of ongoing limited registration so far
2 hours -
Ghana’s EOCO Boss now Chairperson of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa
2 hours -
Risk of stronger US dollar could affect Emerging Markets credit momentum – Fitch
2 hours -
T-bills auction: Government secures nearly GH¢5bn; interest rates fall again
2 hours -
Hindsight: Asante Kotoko’s 25 years under Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
3 hours -
Limited voter registration: 3 police officers interdicted for failure to execute their duties
3 hours