The global health community has won many victories against infectious disease in the poorer parts of the world—eradicating smallpox in the 1970s and beating down the number of reported polio cases. Now it is turning to cancer and heart disease. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in Washington, D.C., recently released a report warning that the rising tide of cardiovascular disease in low- and middle-income countries is threatening those nations’ economic well-being. And a group of physicians and celebrities (including cycling champion Lance Armstrong and Princess Dina of Jordan) has published a call to action in Lancet to expand cancer care and control in poorer countries.
The renewed attention reflects major changes in disease trends. Cancer and heart disease are not limited to developed countries. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, more than half of all people who were newly diagnosed with cancer in 2008 were in developing countries such as Nigeria, Egypt and Brazil—compared with just 15 percent in 1970. The IOM’s 2010 study reported that 80 percent of deaths from heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases around the world now occur in the developing world.
In some respects, the rising proportion of cancer cases is a side effect of success. People are living longer (cancer is more common the older you get), and fewer people are dying of infectious diseases (you have to die of something). Similarly, the increase in cardiovascular disease is linked to aging populations, but adopting a Western-style diet and getting less exercise also play important roles. Treating cancer in the poorest parts of the world is not necessarily expensive; many older treatments that Westerners have replaced with pricey ones are still highly effective. The same is true for treating heart disease. Unfortunately, the older medications are often not broadly available in poor countries, and physicians, nurses and other health care workers are often lacking.
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4 Comments
Add CommentWhen I wrote this for the print magazine, I felt like I was writing medical haiku--so much to jam into each sentence--especially that last sentence. The lack of physicians, nurses and other health care workers (pharmacists, clinical officers, nurse technicians, mental health counselors, etc) is a HUGE issue in poor countries. The issue goes by the name "building health system capacity" but who wants to read an article about that?!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDear Unbeliever,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPolio cases are still under 900 this year--which is way down--even with the new cases in Congo area. Which is why I wrote that the global health community is "beating down the number of reported polio cases."
DDT is still used to fight malaria-carrying mosquitoes in South Africa. However, in some areas mosquitoes are resistant to DDT.
In fact, as long as DDT was used for medical reasons (spraying inside homes, etc) there was no environmental impact and most mosquitoes remained susceptible. It was once cotton farmers and other agriculture interests started pouring it on their fields that we saw major environmental impact and mosquitoes developed resistance.
Are you suggesting we aid and abet a massive Homo spaien population of this planet?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNo, nothing should be done to eradicate disease. The Homo sapien population just like all other populations should be subject to natural restrains on population growth.
It is a good idea to shut down all hospitals, medical research, pharmaceutical companies and other businesses seeking to increase human longevity.
No matter what you do, you cannot win.
i am a biotechnology student from Indonesia which is located in south-east Asia. in fact, Indonesian students are more interested in social sciences. they even have stereotypes for science students. scientists aren't so appreciated here, that's why many of them live abroad for a better life after they get their degree.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI wish my country will open their eyes soon!