Parasites and poverty: the case of schistosomiasis.
Simultaneous and sequential transmission of multiple parasites, and their resultant overlapping chronic infections, are facts of life in many underdeveloped rural areas. These represent significant but often poorly measured health and economic burdens for affected populations. For example, the chronic inflammatory process associated with long-term schistosomiasis contributes to anaemia and undernutrition, which, in turn, can lead to growth stunting, poor school performance, poor work productivity, and continued poverty. To date, most national and international programs aimed at parasite control have not considered the varied economic and ecological factors underlying multi-parasite transmission, but some are beginning to provide a coordinated approach to control. In addition, interest is emerging in new studies for the re-evaluation and recalibration of the health burden of helminthic parasite infection. Their results should highlight the strong potential of integrated parasite control in efforts for poverty reduction.
King
Charles H
CH
International Health, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Wolstein 4126, Cleveland, OH 44106-7286, USA. chk@cwru.edu
D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors