scholarly journals The Gini coefficient as a useful measure of malaria inequality among populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Abeles ◽  
David J. Conway
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Gini Coefficient ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
The Gini Coefficient ◽  
World Regions ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background Understanding inequality in infectious disease burden requires clear and unbiased indicators. The Gini coefficient, conventionally used as a macroeconomic descriptor of inequality, is potentially useful to quantify epidemiological heterogeneity. With a potential range from 0 (all populations equal) to 1 (populations having maximal differences), this coefficient is used here to show the extent and persistence of inequality of malaria infection burden at a wide variety of population levels. Methods First, the Gini coefficient was applied to quantify variation among World Health Organization world regions for malaria and other major global health problems. Malaria heterogeneity was then measured among countries within the geographical sub-region where burden is greatest, among the major administrative divisions in several of these countries, and among selected local communities. Data were analysed from previous research studies, national surveys, and global reports, and Gini coefficients were calculated together with confidence intervals using bootstrap resampling methods. Results Malaria showed a very high level of inequality among the world regions (Gini coefficient, G = 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.81), more extreme than for any of the other major global health problems compared at this level. Within the most highly endemic geographical sub-region, there was substantial inequality in estimated malaria incidence among countries of West Africa, which did not decrease between 2010 (G = 0.28, 95% CI 0.19–0.36) and 2018 (G = 0.31, 0.22–0.39). There was a high level of sub-national variation in prevalence among states within Nigeria (G = 0.30, 95% CI 0.26–0.35), contrasting with more moderate variation within Ghana (G = 0.18, 95% CI 0.12–0.25) and Sierra Leone (G = 0.17, 95% CI 0.12–0.22). There was also significant inequality in prevalence among local village communities, generally more marked during dry seasons when there was lower mean prevalence. The Gini coefficient correlated strongly with the standard coefficient of variation, which has no finite range. Conclusions The Gini coefficient is a useful descriptor of epidemiological inequality at all population levels, with confidence intervals and interpretable bounds. Wider use of the coefficient would give broader understanding of malaria heterogeneity revealed by multiple types of studies, surveys and reports, providing more accessible insight from available data.

scholarly journals The Gini Coefficient as a useful measure of malaria inequality among populations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Abeles ◽  
David Conway
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Gini Coefficient ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Gini Coefficients ◽  
The Gini Coefficient ◽  
World Regions ◽  
Village Communities ◽  
High Level

BACKGROUND: Understanding inequality in infectious disease burden requires clear and unbiased indicators. The Gini coefficient, conventionally used as a macroeconomic descriptor of inequality, is potentially useful to quantify epidemiological heterogeneity. With a potential range from 0 (all populations equal) to 1 (populations having maximal differences), this coefficient is used here to show the extent and persistence of inequality of malaria infection burden at a wide variety of population levels. METHODS: We first applied the Gini coefficient to quantify variation among WHO world regions for malaria and other major global health problems. Malaria heterogeneity was then measured among countries within the geographical sub-region where burden is greatest, among the major administrative divisions in several of these countries, and among selected local communities. Data were analysed from previous research studies, national surveys, and global reports, and Gini coefficients were calculated together with confidence intervals using bootstrap resampling methods. RESULTS: Malaria showed a very high level of inequality among the world regions (Gini coefficient, G = 0.77, 95% CI 0.66-0.81), more extreme than for any of the other major global health challenges compared at this level. Within the most highly endemic geographical sub-region, there was substantial inequality in estimated malaria incidence among countries of West Africa, which did not decrease between 2010 (G = 0.28, 95% CI 0.19-0.36) and 2018 (G = 0.31, 0.22-0.39). There was a high level of sub-national variation in prevalence among states within Nigeria (G = 0.30, 95% CI 0.26-0.35), but more moderate variation within Ghana (G = 0.18, 95% CI 0.12-0.25) and Sierra Leone (G = 0.17, 95% CI 0.12-0.22). There was also significant inequality in prevalence among local village communities, generally more marked during dry seasons when there was lower mean prevalence. The Gini coefficient correlated strongly with the Coefficient of Variation which has no finite range. CONCLUSIONS: The Gini coefficient is a useful descriptor of epidemiological inequality at all population levels, with confidence intervals and interpretable bounds. Wider use of the coefficient would give broader understanding of malaria heterogeneity revealed by multiple types of studies, surveys and reports, providing more accessible insight from available data.

scholarly journals Pilot Study on the Improvement of the Health-education and Psychological Competencies of Education Students in the Context of Epidemic/Pandemic Circumstances

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Danijela Petrovic ◽  
◽  
Mia Maric ◽  
Miona Bogosavljevic-Sijakov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
World Health ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Patterns Of Behavior

Research study: According to the World Health Organization, six out of ten global health problems are related to the domain of infectious diseases (WHO, 2019), which inevitably confronts us with an increasing risk of pandemic situations. The global health system has identified solid solutions, with prevention being essential in these situations (Bloom & Cadarette, 2019). Prevention is far better and cheaper, regardless of whether it is a specific prophylaxis (vaccination) or non-specific preventive measures (Bloom & Cadarette, 2019). Therefore, it is crucial that initial education includes prevention against the most common infectious diseases, as well as initial knowledge about them. Numerous preventive measures include patterns of behavior that can be practiced with children of a preschool and early school age, through the immediate educational process. In addition, at this time children successfully develop habits and adopt demonstrated patterns of behavior, via observational learning (Bandura, 1977; Greer, Singer-Dudek, & Gautreaux, 2006). For that reason, it is important that preschool and primary school teachers have awareness of their role in this complex process, as well as enough knowledge, skills and experience regarding psychological protection and mental empowerment of children while preparing them for various epidemic risks. It is crucial to enhance teachers’ capabilities to implement holistic pedagogies and healing-informed teaching (Hill, et al., 2020), in order to mitigate the epidemic/pandemic effects on children. All sudden and unexpected events are opportunities that enable us to address current problems in each crisis and to consider new and innovative approaches in teachers' education (Mutton, 2020). The aim of the research was to evaluate the health-education and psychological competencies of future teachers regarding the circumstances of epidemic/pandemics, and subsequently, using different workshop activities, to improve those competencies and skills. Thus, to enable them to encourage children, through learning and demonstration, to practice behaviours that contribute to the health maintaining and social-emotional wellness. Research methods: Besides the theoretical research and literature review, the realisation of the project began with the construction of a research instrument designed as a survey questionnaire. The survey contained 18 questions intended to examine the levels of knowledge (3 questions) and attitudes (15 for self-assessment of mentioned competencies, according to the Likert-type scale). The questionnaire was anonymous, completed in a paper form and used as an initial test and retest (after the workshop). Conclusion and recommendations: 32 students of education participated in the workshop. They deepened their understanding of the most common infectious diseases, their pathogenesis, Vogralik's chain of infection, the concepts of epidemics/pandemics, and especially the prevention of different infectious diseases, with an emphasis on the current pandemic situation. Their psychological competencies were also improved, including the development and strengthening of resilience and readiness to face various challenges caused by the epidemic threats. The students were presented with ideas, in the form of stories, movies, posters, messages, etc. how, directly in their daily educational praxis to encourage children to practice behaviours that contribute to health maintenance as well as how to preserve mental components of their health during epidemic crises. In that sense, the knowledge on the retest was significantly enhanced by 32.09% (p=0.00000), while positive opinion on the examined competencies was increased by 14.84% (p=0.00001). Furthermore, it was observed that knowledge was considerably improved when compared to attitudes (p=0.0064), in a comparative analysis of the health-education vs psychological attitudes. Taking into account the results in our pilot study and the seriousness and global nature of some health problems, health education is becoming a priority and should be emphasised in an initial education. Since the content in curricula for teachers’ education is inadequate, we believe that, either similar workshop activities or curricula development, can significantly improve their competencies in these domains.

scholarly journals The WHO—Destined to Fail?: Political Cooperation and the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-597
Author(s):  
Eyal Benvenisti
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Health Governance ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
Political Cooperation ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mistaken Assumption ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
High Level

AbstractIn this Essay, I argue that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not been equipped with the necessary authority to adequately fulfill its mission. The WHO was built on the mistaken assumption that attaining adequate global health is a matter of high-level coordination. However, the challenge of global health governance is, crucially, also one of complex political cooperation. I distinguish between different types of cooperation problems faced by the WHO and explain why achieving global health calls for intrusive powers by a governing authority—powers that the WHO does not enjoy.

scholarly journals Confidence Intervals of Gini Coefficient Under Unequal Probability Sampling

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-249
Author(s):  
Yves G. Berger ◽  
İklim Gedik Balay
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Empirical Likelihood ◽  
Simulation Study ◽  
Gini Coefficient ◽  
Probability Sampling ◽  
Unequal Probability Sampling ◽  
Unequal Probability ◽  
The Gini Coefficient

AbstractWe propose an estimator for the Gini coefficient, based on a ratio of means. We show how bootstrap and empirical likelihood can be combined to construct confidence intervals. Our simulation study shows the estimator proposed is usually less biased than customary estimators. The observed coverages of the empirical likelihood confidence interval proposed are also closer to the nominal value.

Human Rights in Global Health

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Health Governance ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Organizational Policies ◽  
Governmental Organizations

Institutions matter for the advancement of human rights in global health. Given the dramatic development of human rights under international law and the parallel proliferation of global institutions for public health, there arises an imperative to understand the implementation of human rights through global health governance. This volume examines the evolving relationship between human rights, global governance, and public health, studying an expansive set of health challenges through a multi-sectoral array of global organizations. To analyze the structural determinants of rights-based governance, the organizations in this volume include those international bureaucracies that implement human rights in ways that influence public health in a globalizing world. Bringing together leading health and human rights scholars and practitioners from academia, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations system, this volume explores: (1) the foundations of human rights as a normative framework for global health governance, (2) the mandate of the World Health Organization to pursue a human rights-based approach to health, (3) the role of inter-governmental organizations across a range of health-related human rights, (4) the influence of rights-based economic governance on public health, and (5) the focus on global health among institutions of human rights governance. Contributing chapters map the distinct human rights activities within a specific institution of global governance for health. Through the comparative institutional analysis in this volume, the contributing authors examine institutional efforts to operationalize human rights in organizational policies, programs, and practices and assess institutional factors that facilitate or inhibit human rights mainstreaming for global health advancement.

Contemporary Global Health Governance Actors

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Youde
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Health Governance ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
Current State ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Private Actors ◽  
Public Versus Private

While Chapter 3 focuses primarily on the evolution of global health governance, Chapter 4 pays more attention to its contemporary manifestation as a secondary institution within international society. This chapter discusses the current state of the global health governance architecture—who the important actors are, how they operate, how they have changed over the past twenty-five years, and how they illustrate the fundamental beliefs and attitudes within the global health governance system. In particular, the chapter discusses the relative balance between state-based and non-state actors, as well as public versus private actors. This chapter highlights five key players within contemporary global health governance: states; the World Health Organization; multilateral funding agencies; public–private partnerships; and non-state and private actors

Non-Communicable Diseases and Global Health Politics

2019 ◽  
pp. 626-659
Author(s):  
Roger Magnusson
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Response ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Health Politics ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Control

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are responsible for around 70 percent of global deaths each year. This chapter describes how NCDs have become prevalent and critically evaluates global efforts to address NCDs and their risk factors, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) system. It explores the factors that have prevented those addressing NCDs from achieving access to resources and a priority commensurate with their impact on people’s lives. The chapter evaluates the global response to NCDs both prior to and since the UN High-Level Meeting on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, held in 2011, and considers opportunities for strengthening that response in future.

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