Neglected diseases, civil conflicts, and the right to health.
Neglected diseases remain one of the largest causes of disease and mortality. In addition to the difficulties in provision of appropriate drugs for specific diseases, many other factors contribute to the prevalence of such diseases and the difficulties in reducing their burden. We address the role that poor governance and politically motivated oppression have on the epidemiology of neglected diseases. We give case examples including filariasis in eastern Burma and vector-borne diseases (Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis, and yellow fever) in Colombia, we show the links between systematic human rights violations and the effects of infectious disease on health. We also discuss the role of researchers in advocating for and researching within oppressed populations.
Beyrer
Chris
C
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. cbreyer@jhsph.edu
Villar
Juan Carlos
JC
Suwanvanichkij
Voravit
V
Singh
Sonal
S
Baral
Stefan D
SD
Mills
Edward J
EJ
D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002052:Myanmar / Q000453:epidemiology; D012106:Research; D014857:Warfare; D015004:Yellow Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control