Global health briefs - November 2013

November / December 2013 | Volume 12, Issue 6

WHO reports drug-resistant TB rising

Tuberculosis deaths dropped last year, but marring this progress are the 3 million undiagnosed cases and the growing crisis in drug-resistant TB, according to the WHO's "Global tuberculosis report 2013."

Neglected diseases still lack attention

Although 336 new chemical entities were approved globally in 2000-2011, only four were for neglected tropical diseases, including three for malaria, according to a recent Lancet paper, "The drug and vaccine landscape for neglected diseases."

• Read the full paper, The drug and vaccine landscape for neglected diseases (2000-11): a systematic assessment published online on October 24, 2013 in The Lancet Global Health.

Disease mapping tool released

A mapping website for schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths and trachoma shows their geographic distribution and treatment status, helping scientists track progress to control them. The NTD Mapping Tool was developed by the Global Atlas of Helminth Infections.

Academics form new global health forum

The World Federation of Academic Institutions for Global Health was formed recently to coordinate its members' influence on policies and research, and to share best practices in capacity building and educational innovations.

African physician emigration continues

Emigration of physicians from sub-Saharan Africa continues to rise, according to a study in PLOS Medicine. The report, based on WHO and American Medical Association data, calls for improved recruitment, training and retention of health care professionals.

• Access the full paper Physician Emigration from Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States: Analysis of the 2011 AMA Physician Masterfile, published September 17, 2913 by PLOS Medicine.

USAID releases child in adversity update

A USAID report describes international action the U.S. government plans to take to help children threatened by HIV/AIDS, trafficking or recruitment for war. Several NIH components, including Fogarty, are participating in the global project.

• Access the full report, Sixth Annual Report to Congress: From Strong Beginnings to Youth Resilience - Pathways Out of Adversity.

Researchers can use global data archive

Researchers interested in studying low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can access longitudinal data and statistics from INDEPTH Network, a free online resource supported by a global partnership that gathers data from 42 centers.

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