title: Health challenges in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
abstract: The Central Asian region, which encompasses Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, is an interesting geographic region with a rich history dating back to the Silk Road, Mongol conquests and expansion of the Russian Empire. However, from a public health viewpoint, the Central Asian region is under-investigated, and many public health challenges exist, as countries of Central Asia inherited the centralised medical systems practiced in the Soviet Union, and are currently undergoing rapid transitions. A large number of low and middle-income countries around the world, including countries of Central Asia, face a double burden of chronic and infectious disease. This essay focuses on the exploration of the most important public health challenges in the Central Asian region, including limited scientific productivity, the double burden of chronic and infectious disease, the need for healthcare reform and the reduction in care variation. Central Asia has a large number of medical schools, medical centres, and emerging research institutes that can be used to foster a change in medical and public health practice in the region.
authors.affiliation: Center for Life Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Shalkar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adambekov
authors.affiliation: Center for Life Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Aiym
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaiyrlykyzy
authors.affiliation: Central Asian Cancer Institute, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Nurbek
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Igissinov
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Faina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Linkov
mesh_terms: D001209:Asia, Central / Q000453:epidemiology; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016387:Women's Health
keywords: ACCESS TO HLTH CARE; EPIDEMIOLOGY; Epidemiology of chronic non communicable diseases; HEALTH BEHAVIOUR