Marianette G.
Cainong BSN 2B August 22, 2019
ANNOTATED READING ON PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
GLOBAL:
Global burden of tuberculosis: where we are and what to do
Tuberculosis continues to cause ill health and deaths across many populations in the
world, 25 years since WHO declared the disease a global emergency. In The Lancet
Infectious Diseases, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Tuberculosis Collaborators
report the burden of tuberculosis in 2016 and trends since 1990. The details of some of
their data differ from the latest estimates issued by WHO. But both reports are in
agreement on one point at least: if the decreases in global tuberculosis incidence and
mortality continue at their current, moderate rates, few countries will reach the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of ending the epidemic of tuberculosis by
2030. Over the past two decades, commendable progress has been made in improving
tuberculosis control on a global scale.
Nevertheless, some scepticism about the chances of meeting this SGD goal in
understandable given the rate at which tuberculosis incidence is decreasing compared to
stimulate action towards elimination, goals should be ambitious; however, even humble
goals currently seem beyond reach. The data presented on the GBD 2016 study should
be a wake-up call to further intensify efforts towards reliable data collection. Although the
data are detailed and carefully researched, they are estimated and rely on many
assumptions—more primary data are needed from all countries to minimise the need for
extrapolation. Our question is, how can this coverage be achieved? The scale of the
tuberculosis problem has been recognised and political will to optimise control of the
disease exists, as shown by the first United Nations high-level meeting on tuberculosis,
held in September, 2018.
A wealth of measures have been suggested to control tuberculosis. Some lean towards
the idea of a magic bullet, such as increased innovation through investment in better
diagnostics, novel drugs, and improved treatment regimens for all forms of tuberculosis
developed through increased investment and innovation. Others are closer to what might
be considered a magic gun, in which existing tools are used more effectively, through
better means of delivery and broader implementation of measures that are already
available—eg, task-shifting (re-structuring workforces in reponse to the health-care
workforce problem), robust tracing and treatment of patients, full recognition of the
magnitude of the burden of tuberculosis in countries with low absolute but high relative
incidences of the disease, treating hard-to-reach population in otherwise low-incidence
countries, and refinement of individual treatment strategies. In truth, all of these
measures will be needed to address the epidemic of tuberculosis—each will have to be
intensively implemented and scaled up in the coming years, if not decades.
Even so, some simple and easier to implement measures could be taken to accelerate
progress towards controlling tuberculosis. The burden and trends of tuberculosis,
tuberculosis in people with HIV/AIDS, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and extensively
drug-resistant tuberculosis should be assessed with caution. Such caution is especially
important in low-income and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa where data
accuracy and reliability can be poor, and diagnostic capacity can be inadequate,
including for the confirmation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
High-quality data is dependent on good surveillance systems, reliable vital registration
systems, and quality notification data, but such high-quality data remains difficult to
obtain in many parts of the world, including large parts of sub-Saharan Africa. As such,
the number of cases of tuberculosis might be over-reported in such areas because of
reliance on smear microscopy that can sometimes detect non-tuberculous mycobacteria,
or the number of cases might be under-reported because of unreliable sensitivity and
specificity of smear microscopy. Investment in novel diagnostics for tuberculosis needs
to be intensified to improve global accuracy, and thus, the quality of estimates, and for
understanding the actual burden.
To understand the actual global tuberculosis situation, the burden sometimes needs to
be determined in terms of incidence per capita rather than by use of absolute numbers to
enable comparisons with other regions. This method needs to be used cautiously
considering that WHO also uses similar criteria to define some of the high tuberculosis
burden countries of the world and so direct comparisons could be conflicting.
All these approaches to directly address the burden of tuberculosis will need to be
supported by governments, non-governmental organizations and agencies, and funder.
But there are also broader considerations. In the GBD 2016 tuberculosis study, more
than three-quarters of incident cases of tuberculosis and deaths due to tuberculosis in
2016 were in HIV-negative individuals. This fact highlights the importance of considering
the social determinants that are sustaining the tuberculosis epidemic other than those
related to HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and drug-resistance, as highlighted by GBD 2016. The
SDGs are interconnected, and health goals can only be achieved if the other SDGs are
met too.
SUMMARY:
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most leading causes of death across to all
populations throughout the world. The results of the data shown by both Global
Burden of Disease (GBD) Tuberculosis Collaborators and the World Health
Organization shows a common agreement that is if the decreases in global
tuberculosis incidence and mortality continue at their current, moderate rates, few
countries will reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of ending
the epidemic of tuberculosis by 2030. With this common agreement, both
organizations start producing more ideas, treatment and prevention measures
such as the idea of the magic bullet and the magic gun which both are used for
the improvement of treatment regimens (use of new drugs and etc.) or
improvement of using new tools (like task - shifting). Another example is
understanding new updated high quality information like incidence per capita
rather than by use of absolute numbers to enable comparisons with other regions.
With this, it helps controlling the number of TB patients and death throughout the
world.
RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH:
This article ids relevant to the public health so that they have more knowledge
about new discoveries and advancement of treatment or preventive measures
that will lead us eventually to finding a cure for tuberculosis. This discovery will
give the people more hope in eliminating one of the deadliest disease in the world
as well as having more people help each other in finding a cure for this disease.
REACTION:
My first reaction was we are progressing to new heights in having a cure and that
if this continue, hopefully we might be able to find a cure.
SOURCE:
[Link]
4-6/fulltext
NATIONAL:
DOH LEADS WORLD DIABETES OBSERVANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Department of Health (DOH) together with partners from non-government
organizations and the private sector urged the Filipino public to mount early preventive
action against diabetes during the observance of World Diabetes Day (WDD) held last
Thursday, November 23, with the theme, “Prevent Diabetes! Know Your Risk.”
The celebration of WDD was held at the Quezon Memorial Circle with an estimated 1000
participants from the government, nongovernment, and private sectors. Activities
included a parade/walk around the circle, Zumba exercise, free screening for participants
to know their risk of diabetes and the formation of a human blue circle which is the global
symbol of diabetes awareness. A lay forum was also conducted to provide important
information and educate participants on diabetes and its risk factors.
Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death among Filipinos based on the data from the
2013 Philippine Health Statistics, and over 6 million Filipinos are diagnosed to have
diabetes, as declared by the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation in
2016.
It is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia)
because of inadequate production and/or action of insulin, the hormone that regulates
blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to serious complications such as stroke,
heart attack, end-stage kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy among others. Diabetic
retinopathy accounted for about 5% of world blindness in 2002.
Screening for diabetes and educating the people on its signs, symptoms, ways to
prevent and avoid complications play a great role in addressing this debilitating disease.
The DOH, as the country’s leading public health government agency, spearheads
nationwide efforts in the prevention and control of diabetes and its complications. The
DOH provides free diabetes risk screening at the barangay health stations, rural health
units/health centers, public hospitals, and other government health facilities.
DOH also provides free medicines such as oral anti-diabetes medicines and insulin to
Filipino patients diagnosed with diabetes. In its commitment to enhance health service
delivery, DOH has also created a partnership with the Philippine Society of
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM) to empower and build capacity
among our primary healthcare workers in managing diabetes. An estimate of more than
1,700 health care providers accross the country were already trained.
DOH, and its key partners from different sectors are committed to change the landscape
of diabetes in the Philippines and ensure better quality of life for all Filipinos.
Philippine Society of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM) president Dr.
Pete Dela Peña, an endocrinologist, confirms the importance of preventing diabetes and
its complications. ”Diabetes ia a familial as well as a lifestyle disease. By exercising,
eating healthy, and avoiding sugary drinks, we can prevent diabetes. For the 4 million
Filipinos who are already affected by diabetes, it is important not just to do this but also to
see their doctor regularly and ensure that they stay on medications to avoid
complications such as kidney failure or diabetic foot.”
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is an annual global event for driving awareness on diabetes
and its risk factors. This is officially observed in the Philippines through Proclamation
No. 1942, s. 2009 declaring November 14 as World Diabetes Day Celebration.
”Diabetes keeps on increasing in prevalence, but we shouldn’t give up the fight against
the disease. It may be chronic and incurable, but diabetes can be managed. We need to
strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration in increasing awareness of this disease and
for people to follow a healthy lifestyle,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III
emphasized.
SUMMARY:
Department of Health (DOH) together with partners from non-government
organizations and the private sector held the World Diabetes day on Thursday,
November 23, 2018 with the theme, “Prevent Diabetes! Know Your Risk” that was
held at the Quezon Memorial Circle with an estimated 1000 participants from the
government, nongovernment, and private sectors. This includes various activities,
free check ups, orientations about diabetes and etc. That will help the participants
know more about this illness and how to treat it or prevent it.
Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death among Filipinos and over 6 million
Filipinos are diagnosed to have diabetes. With the help of the DOH, people can
get free diabetes risk screening at the barangay health stations, rural health
units/health centers, public hospitals, and other government health facilities as
well aslso provides free medicines such as oral anti-diabetes medicines and
insulin to Filipino patients diagnosed with diabetes.
In partnership with the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and
Metabolism (PSEDM), the DOH train healthcare workers in managing diabetes.
An estimate of more than 1,700 health care providers across the country were
already trained.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is an annual global event for driving awareness on
diabetes and its risk factors. With that, people can understand more about
diabetes and help this advocate spread throughout the Philippines.
RELAVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH:
World Diabetes Day is a very important event to the public because this
celebrates the spreading of awareness to the public about diabetes which is the
6th leading cause of death among filipinos. If this event can spread throughout
every corner of our country, this could help the community to become more
aware of the cause, what the relevant information was such as signs/symptoms
and treatment and how we could prevent this disease.
REACTION TO NEWS:
My thoughts on this article is that this event is a great way to spread
awareness in an entertaining and educational approach to helping the community
foe having more knowledge about diabetes. I wish that this event could spread in
the Visayas and Mindanao region so that everybody could learn more about
diabetes.
SOURCE:
[Link]
LOCAL:
Cebu dengue death toll highest in the Visayas
CEBU CITY, Philippines – At least 35 people have died already due to dengue in
Cebu this year so far, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council.
Cebu province also has the highest number of dengue cases in the Visayas with
5,935, followed by Iloilo with 5,327, and Negros Occidental with 3,266, the
NDRRMC said. Although this is mainly attributed to Cebu's being the most
populated island, Cebu City Councilor David Tumalak called for more vigilance by
local officials.
“I’m calling on all concerned local offices to intensify information campaigns on
dengue and other water-borne diseases,” Tumalak told reporters on Thursday,
July 18. “PAGASA has already declared the onset of the rainy season and all
barangays need to be prepared.” He also asked the city health department and
the Cebu City Medical Center to stock up on medicines ahead of time.
Nationwide, the number of deaths has already reached 202 as of July 13.
Dengue is a tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
While dengue is manageable, the disease can have more critical effects on
children and eldery. Severe dengue symptoms include hemorrhagic fever that
can cause bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage.
At least 19 have died in the Eastern Visayas from January 1 to July 6, out of a
total of 4,550 cases
SUMMARY:
Cebu provine has the highest dengue cases followed by Iloilo and Negros
Occidental with 32 death at Cebu City only. So the Cebu City Councilor David
Tumalak called for more vigilance by local officials and asked to intensify
information campaigns dengue and other water-borne diseases and also asked
for the city health department and the Cebu City Medical Center to stock up on
medicines ahead of time.
Dengue is a tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes that has the virus with
symptoms include hemorrhagic fever and etc. At least 19 have died in the
Eastern Visayas from January 1 to July 6, out of a total of 4,550 cases
RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH:
Asking for information campaigns and being ready for the possible spread of
disease is important to the community because this could help the become more
aware and alert all the time about Dengue.
REACTION TO THE NEWS:
My thoughts on this is that the Cebu city councilor made the right decision for
being ready for the possible spread of disease and help the community become
more knowledgeable and alert for the disease.
SOURCE:
[Link]
sayas-2019