WHO: Measles deaths decline, but elimination progress stalls
in some regions; Improved vaccination rates critical for success (01/17/2013/Geneva)
In its recent report, the World Health Organization (WHO)
describes efforts to eradicate measles from the globe by 2015 or 2020 and
reports on progress made to date. The Measles & Rubella Initiative is led
by a global partnership between American and international health entities.
Although the Americas have been free of measles since 2002,
other areas of the globe continue to report measles cases, especially among
children. Underdeveloped areas of Africa and central Asia remain
dispropotionally affected but even industrialized nations like France, Spain
and Italy continued to experience outbreaks as recently as 2011.
The report also points out some recent successes, including
increases in global coverage with a first dose of vaccine and in the number of
countries providing the second dose through routine services.
WHO indicates that ongoing reductions in measles morbidity
and mortality require strengthening of health systems in order to provide
effective immunization services and better laboratory surveillance systems.
Sociological Analysis
It is safe to assume that most members of global societies
would consider the eradication of childhood infectious diseases to be a good
thing for the sake humanity. In that light, this news is somewhat disappointing.
However, it is not necessarily surprising when one considers the disparities
pointed out between rich and poor nations and population segments in our Sernau
text, Chapter 1.
Providing effective medical care and vaccination programs to
the entire globe would seem to require significant monetary resources and
widespread improvements in health care infrastructure, just as the WHO report
indicates to some degree. The report does not detail specific barriers to care
where measles continues to persist, but it is easy enough to infer that those
nations and regions that are most lacking in money and resources are those that
remain affected, with little exception.
Antony Cochran
01/20/2013 20:00
Antony Cochran
01/20/2013 20:00
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