Is it time to reassess the categorization of disease burdens in low-income countries?
The classification of disease burdens is an important topic that receives little attention or debate. One common classification scheme, the broad cause grouping, is based on etiology and health transition theory and is mainly concerned with distinguishing communicable from noncommunicable diseases. This may be of limited utility to policymakers and planners. We propose a broad care needs framework to complement the broad cause grouping. This alternative scheme may be of equal or greater value to planners. We apply these schemes to disability-adjusted life year estimates for 2000 and to mortality data from Tanzania. The results suggest that a broad care needs approach could shift the priorities of health planners and policymakers and deserves further evaluation.
University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School, Department of Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Philip W
PW
Setel
Lance
L
Saker
Nigel C
NC
Unwin
Yusuf
Y
Hemed
David R
DR
Whiting
Henry
H
Kitange
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics*; D006285:Health Planning; D006292:Health Priorities; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011203:Poverty; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification