Public Health in the Middle East and North Africa : A Situation Analysis
This overview of the public health situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region focuses on the health situation in the region; demographic and epidemiological trends; activities already undertaken including assistance to improve the...
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| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
Washington, DC
2013
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2002/06/2138038/public-health-middle-east-north-africa-situation-analysis http://hdl.handle.net/10986/15312 |
| Summary: | This overview of the public health
situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
focuses on the health situation in the region; demographic
and epidemiological trends; activities already undertaken
including assistance to improve the health of the
population, identification gaps in current efforts, and the
implications for a future regional public health strategy.
Significant improvements in health status, morbidity and
mortality have been achieved, largely through health
services delivery, public health programs and socioeconomic
development. Infant mortality rate has declined and life
expectancy at birth has increased. Despite significant
accomplishments, immense challenges stand in the way of
achieving optimal health for all. Infectious diseases remain
high while non-communicable diseases, and injuries increase
with rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles. In
conclusion, it is necessary to develop a national and
regional public health infrastructure, that will include: a)
training of public health personnel; b) development of
public health leadership and the capacity to perform core
public health functions of assessment; c) policy development
and assurance; d) provision of the necessary resources and
infrastructure; e) establishing diseases surveillance and
information systems; f) developing partnerships for
addressing public health issues; and g) integration of
strategies to address public health challenges of common concern. |
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