An Informatics-Based Approach for Sustainable Management of Factors Affecting the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.Several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are directly or indirectly concerned with improving health and well-being of the world population. This paper presents an informatics-based approach to the management and monitoring of infectious diseases, in the context of one of these SDGs focusing on the eradication of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika and other neglected tropical diseases. Here we outline the challenges faced by many conventional approaches to ecoepidemiological modelling and proposes a distributed interactive architecture for teamwork coordination, and data integration at different levels of information, and across disciplines. This approach is illustrated by an application to the surveillance of Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, in remote regions.Peer reviewe

Driving improvements in emerging disease surveillance through locally-relevant capacity strengthening

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) threaten the health of people, animals, and crops globally, but our ability to predict their occurrence is limited. Current public health capacity and ability to detect and respond to EIDs is typically weakest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many known drivers of EID emergence also converge in LMICs. Strengthening capacity for surveillance of diseases of relevance to local populations can provide a mechanism for building the cross-cutting and flexible capacities needed to tackle both the burden of existing diseases and EID threats. A focus on locally relevant diseases in LMICs and the economic, social, and cultural contexts of surveillance can help address existing inequalities in health systems, improve the capacity to detect and contain EIDs, and contribute to broader global goals for development

Gap Analysis of Environmental Health Research in Malawi : Report to the National Commission of Science and Technology

The aim of this consultancy was to assess the current gaps in research for the environmental health sector in Malawi, and to recommend research priorities and an effective action plan to address these gap

Multiple Interfaces of Big Pharma and the Change of Global Health Governance in the Face of HIV/AIDS

By using a game theoretical approach and the notion of “forum” or “regime shifting” this paper examines the multiple interfaces of the multinational pharmaceutical corporations (MNPCs) with their major counterparts at home and abroad, including the governments of the North and South, the international organizations and increasingly with national and international NGOs in the context of the spreading HIV/AIDS crisis. It shows how the execution of the MNPCs’ strategies led to significant reactions from other actors, which led to further moves and countermoves in a strategic battle between representatives of the North and the South in the global health arena.Multinational Pharmaceutical Corporations (MNPCs), HIV/AIDS, global health governance, pricing of ARVs;

Health and nutrition: emerging and reemerging issues in developing countries

CONTENTS: Brief 1. Overview / Rafael Flores Brief 2. The Global Burden of Disease / Alan D. Lopez Brief 3. HIV/AIDS / Anthony Barnett and Gabriel Rugalema Brief 4. Malaria / Andrea Egan Brief 5. Tuberculosis / Ariel Pablos-Mendez Brief 6. Intrauterine Growth Retardation / Mercedes de Onis Brief 7. Obesity / Reynaldo Martorell Brief 8. Diet-Related Chronic Diseases / Geoffrey Cannon Brief 9. Health and Aging / Noel W. Solomons Brief 10. Micronutrients / Lindsay H. Allen Brief 11. Policy Priorities: Themes and Actions / Stuart GillespieDeveloping countries., Health., Nutrition., Health planning., Human Nutrition., Diseases.,

The Role of the Health Care Sector in Expanding Economic Opportunity

This report provides an overview and critical assessment of the ways in which multinational pharmaceutical companies currently participate in expanding economic opportunities in developing countries. As pharmaceutical companies become more involved in both business and philanthropic activities in developing countries, it will be important for each company to identify the best strategies available to it to create new economic opportunities and to leverage the benefits of activities already underway. While the primary focus of the industry is, and will most likely continue to be, on increasing access to health care, the potential for expanding economic opportunities through its activities should not be overlooked as a significant outcome. The analysis and case studies contained in the report highlight companies' contributions to economic opportunity expansion through job creation, training and capacity building, and shaping public policy. The report also offers recommendations for future work to increase economic opportunities. This paper is part of the Economic Opportunity Series published by the CSR Initiative at Harvard University Kennedy School

Global Health Security in an Era of Explosive Pandemic Potential

Pandemics pose a significant risk to security, economic stability, and development. Annualized expected losses from pandemics are estimated at $60 billion per year. Despite the certainty and magnitude of the threat, the global community has significantly underestimated and underinvested in avoidance of pandemic threats. We cannot wait or continue with the status quo, in which we pay attention to infectious disease threats only when they are at their peak and then are complacent and remain vulnerable until the next major outbreak. To reinforce and sustain international focus, funding, and action, it is crucial that pandemics rise to the level of “high politics,” becoming standing agenda items for political actors. In this article, we make the case for fundamental reform of the international system to safeguard global health security. We build on the action agenda offered by four international commissions formed in the wake of the Ebola epidemic, calling for the recommended “peace dividend” (an annual incremental investment of$4.5 billion – 65 cents per person) to strengthen global preparedness, for the United Nations to play a greater role in responding to major global health and humanitarian emergencies, and for an effective and efficient R&D strategy with multiple stakeholders—governments, academics, industry, and civil society—identifying R&D priorities and leading a coordinated response. If our action plan were adopted, it would safeguard the global population far better against infectious disease threats. It would reap dividends in security, development, and productivity

On the Fast Track to Ending the AIDS Epidemic: Report of the Secretary-General

The global commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic, as set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, represents an unparalleled opportunity to end one of the most devastating modern-day health challenges and also to build on the momentum of the AIDS response in order to accelerate results across the sustainable development agenda.Even when confronted with the vast scale of the global AIDS epidemic, the response to HIV has never lost sight of the value and experience of each individual affected, their hopes and frustrations and their right to health and well-being. I have had the privilege of spending time with people engaged in the AIDS response, including people living with HIV. I have learned about their difficulties in getting access to the antiretroviral medicines that keep them alive and about the fear and stigma they live with each day. Many have also expressed their unwavering belief that we can end this epidemic. Their stories of courage and hope embody the resolve of all those involved in the AIDS response. Today, we can appreciate the remarkable progress we have made together, but also how far we have to go to ensure that no one is left behind.The AIDS response has delivered more than results. It has delivered the aspiration and the practical foundation, including the medical advancements, interventions and partnerships, to end the epidemic by 2030. All that truly remains, the missing link that will determine whether fast-track targets will be met or missed, is the political commitment to implement our proven tools adequately and equitably

Juvenile Justice: Improving the Quality of Care

The juvenile justice system is beset by major societal forces and does not lack for critics. Several paths are available to guide the future of the juvenile justice system. One direction would amplify the current expansion of punishment and of "holding youth and families more accountable for their misdeeds." An alternative approach entails rediscovering the historic mission of juvenile justice to provide individualized and compassionate care for delinquent youths. The punitive direction fits with current political rhetoric about "getting tough" with criminals. The doubling of the prison population and the large growth in juvenile incarceration are products of the "hard line" approach. Paradoxically, the urge to punish has not matched with public support to raise taxes to pay for a more vengeful justice system. Consequently, conditions of confinement are worsening, challenging basic American values about cruel and unusual punishmen