title: Global health inequalities and breast cancer: an impending public health problem for developing countries.
abstract: The aim of the study was to provide information on the global health inequality pattern produced by the increasing incidence of breast cancer and its relationship with the health expenditure of developing countries with emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. It examines the difference between the health expenditure of developed and developing countries, and how this affects breast cancer incidence and mortality. The data collected from the World Health Organization and World Bank were examined, using bivariate analysis, through scatter-plots and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. Multivariate analysis was carried out by multiple regression analysis. National income, health expenditure affects breast cancer incidence, particularly between the developed and developing countries. However, these factors do not adequately explain variations in mortality rates. The study reveals the risk posed to developing countries to solving the present and predicted burden of breast cancer, currently characterized by late presentation, inadequate health care systems, and high mortality. Findings from this study contribute to the knowledge of the burden of disease in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, and how that is related to globalization and health inequalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK. higene@nhs.net
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Igene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007182:Income / Q000639:trends; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011634:Public Health / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D012042:Registries; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis