[...] The emergence of HIV/AIDS, the associated resurgence of tuberculosis, and a deterioration of the malaria situation moved the focus of international public health away from broad-based programmes and towards the urgent management of high-mortality emergencies. [...]
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[...] Urbanization, demographic aging, and the marketing of unhealthy lifestyles have sparked a sharp increase in chronic disease like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. Long considered the close companions of affluent societies, these diseases now impose around 80 per cent of their burden on low- and middle-income countries. [...]
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[...] As a platform for strengthening health systems, primary health care makes fairness in access to quality health care an explicit policy objective. The Millennium Development Goals promote health as a route to poverty reduction. To put it bluntly, if we miss the poor, we miss the point.
At the core of the United Nations Millennium Declaration of 2000 are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for 2015, which recognize that global health is a priority agenda for the twenty-first century. Achieving the MDGs is essential for world peace and economic stability, and for addressing the critical issues of human rights, equality, and equity. [...]
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[...] An important global health priority agenda for the twenty-first century is achieving the MDGs. Unfortunately, many of the low-income countries are unlikely to achieve these goals, primarily because of critical shortages of health workers and weak health care systems. Beyond the achievement of the MDGs, other priority agenda items are developing effective vaccines and drugs for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, addressing microbial resistance, and preparing a worldwide coordinated response to inevitable pandemics. A balanced funding strategy for vaccine and drug discovery on the one hand, and capacity building on the other, will determine how well and how fast we will achieve the MDGs and address the other global health priorities for the twenty-first century.
Access to Chronic Disease Care in Low-and Middle-Income Countries
Chronic, non-communicable diseases or chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, have a considerable impact on human life and the economy. They shrink the quality of life in patients, cause premature death, and lead to other adverse consequences. These diseases have become the leading cause of mortality worldwide and were estimated to account for 60 per cent of global deaths – 35 million – in 2005. They are now rapidly emerging as major health burdens in low-and middle- income countries, where 80 per cent of global chronic disease deaths occur. Unfortunately, in resource-limited countries, policy makers, donors, and academics have paid less attention to these diseases than to acute, communicable diseases. [...]
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[...] It is necessary to address the potential impact of the greater frequency of chronic diseases affecting populations in low – and middle-income countries. These diseases overburden the health system as well as the affected patients and their family members, and impede the overall development of a country. Every government should investigate the barriers preventing access to chronic disease care in their country as a crucial initial step in combating the emerging threat of these diseases. Strategies should be designed and employed to ensure the continuity of medical supply at an affordable price to all.
Why No one Talks about Non-communicable Diseases
[...] Together, chronic diseases are responsible for about 60 per cent of deaths worldwide. The big four-diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases- are caused by three common risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise. [...]
WE CAN END POVERTY 2015 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Our world possesses the knowledge and the resources to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Our challenge today is to agree on an action agenda to achieve them.