Effective surveillance and monitoring of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are essential for informing evidence-based public health policies, addressing health inequities, and ensuring progress toward global and regional targets. By tracking trends in NCDs, their modifiable risk... factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution, along with biological risk factors such as overweight and obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), and elevated blood glucose (diabetes), policymakers can identify emerging threats, target vulnerable populations, allocating resources efficiently. Reliable data also enable countries to evaluate interventions, adjust policies, and strengthen health systems to reduce the burden of NCDs.
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Las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), entre las que se incluyen lasenfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV), el cáncer, las enfermedades respiratoriascrónicas (ERC) y la diabetes, son las principales causas de muerte y discapacidaden la Región de las Américas. En el 2021, las ENT ocasionaron 6 mil...lones de muertes, de las cuales el 38% fueron prematuras.
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Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases) and mental health conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders) are the world’s leading cause of preventable illness..., disability, and death. This report examines the dangers posed by current and rising rates of noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions (NMHs) in South America, beyond their health risks, by demonstrating their considerable negative impact on economic growth. An analytical model was developed that projects the macroeconomic effects of NMHs over the period 2020–2050 in ten South American countries: Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The results showed that the macroeconomic impact of NMHs in South America indicates significant economic shortfalls resulting from NMHs. Overall, the total GDP loss due to NMHs in South America amounts to USD 7.3 trillion (2022 international USD) over the period 2020–2050
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Las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) (por ejemplo, las enfermedades cardiovasculares, el cáncer, la diabetes y las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas) y los problemas de salud mental (por ejemplo, la enfermedad de Alzheimer y las demencias relacionadas, la depresión, la ansiedad y los trastor...nos del espectro autista) son la principal causa mundial de enfermedades prevenibles, discapacidad y muerte. En este informe se examinan los riesgos que plantean las actuales tasas crecientes de ENT y problemas de salud mental en América del Sur, más allá de los riesgos para la salud, y se ponen de manifiesto sus considerables efectos negativos en el crecimiento económico. Se concibió un modelo analítico que proyecta los efectos macroeconómicos de las ENT y los problemas de salud mental durante el período 2020-2050 en 10 países de América del Sur: Argentina, Bolivia (Estado Plurinacional de), Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela (República Bolivariana de). Los resultados revelan que el impacto macroeconómico de las ENT y los problemas de salud mental en América del Sur se traduce en déficits económicos importantes. En términos generales, la pérdida total de PIB en América del Sur asciende a US$ 7,3 billones (US$ internacionales del 2022) en el período 2020-2050, lo que equivale al 4% del PIB total de la región. Es decir, si se eliminaran estas enfermedades y problemas, el PIB anual sería cerca de un 4% mayor cada año durante 30 años
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The Ministry of Health recognizes that access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health facilities is critical in the reduction of diseases, improved occupational health, more efficient health care services, improved staff morale and performance. The micro planning data generated will g...uide line ministries, local government authorities and development partners to position WASH in the health care facilities agenda within the Water and Health sectors. Additionally, it will support the development of a roadmap for achieving WASH-related sustainable development goals for health institutions.
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and SDG 6 reinforce the need to ensure adequate WASH services, which will result in a reduction in maternal mortality, ending preventable newborn deaths, and providing quality universal health coverage. The rationale of the WASH guidelines is to document pro...cedures and provide a framework for strategic planning, implementation of functional and effective WASH services in healthcare facilities in Uganda. These guidelines offer a basis for creating the minimum conditions required for providing healthcare services in a healthy environment for healthcare workers, patients and visitors to the healthcare premises. They also serve as a tool for monitoring the performance of WASH in health care facilities.
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The MEDBOX Annual Report provides an overview of the most important projects of the past year
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are not spread from person to person. Unlike infectious diseases, which are caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens, NCDs are typically long-lasting and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and... behavioral factors. NCDs are the leading cause of death worldwide and responsible for over 70% of global deaths each year. Over 80% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (WHO). Noncommunicable diseases pose a serious threat to global health because they are widespread, costly, largely preventable, and responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide. Reducing their impact requires coordinated efforts in prevention, early detection, and healthcare system strengthening, particularly in lower-income countries. The Toolbox on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) can play a vital role in strengthening Global Healthcare systems by providing centralized, reliable, and up-to-date health information and resources like clinical guidlelines, education material as well as tools for prevention and health promotion.
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In November 2022, WHO launched a strategy to address antimalarial drug resistance in Africa, emphasizing the need for stronger surveillance. While regional monitoring networks have been active in other regions, most in Africa have not convened since 2017–2018. To renew collaboration, WHO organized... a meeting bringing together countries from the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. Participants shared recent data on antimalarial efficacy and resistance. While artemisinin-based combination therapies remain highly effective, some sites in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania reported lower-than-expected efficacy of artemether–lumefantrine. Delayed parasite clearance linked to Plasmodium falciparum Kelch-13 mutations was noted in Eritrea, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Discussions highlighted challenges in therapeutic efficacy studies, molecular marker surveillance and the need for improved genotyping to distinguish relapses from new infections.
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The WHO Mekong Malaria Elimination programme hosted a two-day workshop in Nha Trang City, Viet Nam, from 31 October to 1 November 2024, gathering representatives from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries of Cambodia, China, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand and Viet Nam, as we...ll as technical experts. The workshop focused on reviewing malaria surveillance, progress towards elimination and prevention of re-establishment of malaria transmission.
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A pesar de los avances, persisten importantes barreras para el diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos de la malaria en las Américas, especialmente en zonas rurales y de difícil acceso. Para reducir la transmisión, es esencial ampliar el uso de pruebas de diagnóstico rápido y garantizar la disponi...bilidad gratuita de antimaláricos como bienes públicos. La OPS propone un marco estratégico para eliminar obstáculos, acelerar el inicio del tratamiento y contribuir a la eliminación de la enfermedad en la región.
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In June 2021, a virtual workshop on ECAMM and NCAMM for malaria microscopists was held, with participants from ten South-East Asian countries in attendance. The workshop covered topics such as microscopy training and quality assurance, as well as the challenges posed by the pandemic, including asses...sment disruptions and limited national reference laboratory capacity. Key recommendations emphasised the importance of improving diagnostic quality, building national and peripheral microscopy capacity, providing regular refresher training and using digital tools to support malaria elimination efforts.
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Malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of cases and fatalities occur, especially among children under five. Although there was a significant decline in global mortality and incidence between 2000 and 2015, progress has stalled sinc...e the late 2010s due to climate change, conflict, drug and insecticide resistance, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic. Economic modelling shows that achieving the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing malaria incidence by 90% by 2030 could generate substantial economic benefits, including an increase in GDP of $142.7 billion in endemic countries and $80.7 billion in global trade gains. To save lives, strengthen health systems, and drive sustainable economic growth, renewed investments in malaria control and elimination programmes, vaccine deployment, and coordinated international support are essential.
Accessed on 25/08/2025.
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2023 was another year of significant progress in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. In countries where the Global
Fund invests, there has been a full recovery from the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results we have achieved in the last year build on our extraord...inary track record of progress. Over the last two decades, our partnership has cut the combined death rate from AIDS, TB and malaria by 61%. As of the end of 2023, the Global Fund partnership has saved 65 million lives.
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Poverty and associated health, nutrition, and social factors prevent at least 200 million children in developing countries from attaining their developmental potential. We review the evidence linking compromised development with modifiable biological and psychosocial risks encountered by children fr...om birth to 5 years of age. We identify four key risk factors where the need for intervention is urgent: stunting, inadequate cognitive stimulation, iodine deficiency, and iron deficiency anaemia. The evidence is also sufficient to warrant interventions for malaria, intrauterine growth restriction, maternal depression, exposure to violence, and exposure to heavy metals. We discuss the research needed to clarify the effect of other potential risk factors on child development. The prevalence of the risk factors and their effect on development and human potential are substantial. Furthermore, risks often occur together or cumulatively, with concomitant increased adverse effects on the development of the world's poorest children.
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Découverte par Alphonse Laveran en 1880, cette maladie parasitaire demeure en 2022 l’endémie la plus répandue dans les régions tropicales et subtropicales. Selon le rapport mondial sur le paludisme de 2021 de l'OMS, on estime à 232 millions le nombre de cas en 2019 dans 87 pays endémiques, d...ont 94 % sont concentrés en Afrique subsaharienne et sont principalement dus à Plasmodium falciparum. Le nombre de décès est passé de 897 000 en 2000 à 568 000 en 2019, dont près de 95 % sont survenus dans 31 pays. Des baisses marquées sont également observées en Asie du Sud-Est. Avec des financements suffisants et un renforcement des campagnes d'information, le contrôle, voire l'éradication du paludisme, restent envisageables.
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Malaria and HIV, two of the world’s most deadly diseases, are widespread, but their distribution overlaps greatly in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, malaria and HIV coinfection (MHC) is common in the region. In this paper, pertinent publications on the prevalence, impact, and treatment strategie...s of MHC obtained by searching major electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) were reviewed, and it was found that the prevalence of MHC in SSA was 0.7%–47.5% overall. Prevalence was 0.7%–47.5% in nonpregnant adults, 1.2%–27.8% in children, and 0.94%–37% in pregnant women. MHC was associated with an increased frequency of clinical parasitemia and severe malaria, increased parasite and viral load, and impaired immunity to malaria in nonpregnant adults, children, and pregnant women, increased in placental malaria and related outcomes in pregnant women, and impaired antimalarial drug efficacy in nonpregnant adults and pregnant women. Although a few cases of adverse events have been reported in coinfected patients receiving antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs concurrently, available data are very limited and have not prompted major revision in treatment guidelines for both diseases. Artemisinin-based combination therapy and cotrimoxazole are currently the recommended drugs for treatment and prevention of malaria in HIV-infected children and adults. However, concurrent administration of cotrimoxazole and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine in HIV-infected pregnant women is not recommended, because of high risk of sulfonamide toxicity. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of the impact of malaria on HIV, drug–drug interactions in patients receiving antimalarials and antiretroviral drugs concomitantly, and the development of newer, safer, and more cost-effective drugs and vaccines to prevent malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women.
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The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has significantly altered the epidemiology of other infectious diseases, making investigations into its co-infection with malaria particularly relevant in endemic regions. This review examines the epidemiological, incubation and clinical features of the two diseases, high...lighting the diagnostic challenges and strategies for accurate detection. Emerging immunological and genetic evidence indicates that prior exposure to malaria may reduce the severity of outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection through mechanisms involving ACE2 downregulation, TLR signalling, T-cell activation and upregulation of coinhibitory receptors. Additionally, potential control measures are discussed, including vaccine development, the repurposing of antimalarial drugs, the exploration of natural products, innovations in bioinsecticides, and the strengthening of electronic disease surveillance. These insights provide valuable guidance for clinical management and public health policy, while emphasising the need for continued research into the complex interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and malaria.
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Malaria is a significant risk for travelers to endemic regions. This patient information highlights essential prevention through mosquito protection and, when indicated, chemoprophylaxis with Atovaquone/Proguanil, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine. Emergency self-treatment options may be carried in specifi...c settings. Travelers are advised to follow medication schedules carefully, use consistent bite protection, and seek immediate medical care if fever occurs during or after travel. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent severe or life-threatening complications.
Accessed on 26/08/2025.
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The Centrum für Reisemedizin (CRM) is a comprehensive source of information, guidelines and resources on travel medicine for healthcare professionals and travellers. Its website offers up-to-date recommendations on disease prevention, vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis and health risks in different ...regions around the world. As part of the Thieme Group, the CRM promotes evidence-based medical counselling, training and educational materials for patients, with the aim of improving travel health outcomes and ensuring safe international mobility.
Accessed on 26/08/2025.
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