Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018

Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe

Burden of diarrhea in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990�2015: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study

Objectives: Diarrheal diseases (DD) are an important cause of disease burden, especially in children in low-income settings. DD can also impact children�s potential livelihood through growth faltering, cognitive impairment, and other sequelae. Methods: As part of the Global Burden of Disease study, we estimated DD burden, and the burden attributable to specific risk factors and etiologies, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) between 1990 and 2015. We calculated disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)�the sum of years of life lost and years lived with disability�for both sexes and all ages. Results: We estimate that over 103,692 diarrhea deaths occurred in the EMR in 2015 (95 uncertainty interval: 87,018�124,692), and the mortality rate was 16.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (95 UI: 13.4�19.2). The majority of these deaths occurred in children under 5 (63.3) (65,670 deaths, 95 UI: 53,640�79,486). DALYs per 100,000 ranged from 304 (95 UI 228�400) in Kuwait to 38,900 (95 UI 25,900�54,300) in Somalia. Conclusions: Our findings will guide evidence-based health policy decisions for interventions to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing the DD burden. © 2017, The Author(s)

Burden of diarrhea in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990�2015: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study

Objectives: Diarrheal diseases (DD) are an important cause of disease burden, especially in children in low-income settings. DD can also impact children�s potential livelihood through growth faltering, cognitive impairment, and other sequelae. Methods: As part of the Global Burden of Disease study, we estimated DD burden, and the burden attributable to specific risk factors and etiologies, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) between 1990 and 2015. We calculated disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)�the sum of years of life lost and years lived with disability�for both sexes and all ages. Results: We estimate that over 103,692 diarrhea deaths occurred in the EMR in 2015 (95 uncertainty interval: 87,018�124,692), and the mortality rate was 16.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (95 UI: 13.4�19.2). The majority of these deaths occurred in children under 5 (63.3) (65,670 deaths, 95 UI: 53,640�79,486). DALYs per 100,000 ranged from 304 (95 UI 228�400) in Kuwait to 38,900 (95 UI 25,900�54,300) in Somalia. Conclusions: Our findings will guide evidence-based health policy decisions for interventions to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing the DD burden. © 2017, The Author(s)