The results of a WHO survey conducted to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on up to 25 essential health services in countries show disruptions of essential health services in nearly all countries, and more so in lower-income than higher-income countries. The great majority of service disrup...tions were partial, which was defined as a change of 5–50% in service provision or use.
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Technical Update
Areas of Africa endemic for Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, also have a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with adult prevalence rates between 1% and 5% (Maps). However, there is limited information on the prevalence of BU–HIV coinfection.... Preliminary
evidence suggests that HIV infection may increase the risk of BU disease (1–3). In the Médecins Sans Frontières project in Akonolinga, Cameroon, HIV prevalence was approximately 3–6 times higher among BU patients than the regional estimated HIV prevalence (2). Similarly in Benin and Ghana, BU
patients were 8 times and 3 times respectively more likely to have HIV infection than those without BU (1, 3). Further study is needed to clarify this association and enhance knowledge about the prevalence ofBU–HIV coinfection in endemic areas.
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BMJ Global Health https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e007004
Mund-Nasen-Bedeckung im öffentlichen Raum als weitere Komponente zur Reduktion der Übertragungen von COVID-19. Strategieergänzungen zu empfohlenen Schutzmaßnahmen und Zielen (3. Update) Das RKI empfiehlt ein generelles Tragen einer Mund-Nasen-Bedeckung (MNB) in bestimmten Situationen im öffentl...ichen Raum als einen weiteren Baustein, um Risikogruppen zu schützen und den Infektionsdruck und damit die Ausbreitungsgeschwindigkeit von COVID-19 in der Bevölkerung zu reduzieren. Diese Empfehlung beruht auf einer Neubewertung aufgrund der zunehmenden Evidenz, dass ein hoher Anteil von Übertragungen unbemerkt erfolgt, und zwar bereits vor dem Auftreten von Krankheitssymptomen. Ziel des im Epidemiologischen Bulletin 19/2020 veröffentlichten Artikels ist es, eine kurze Übersicht zum fachlichen Hintergrund der Empfehlung zu geben und zu erläutern, welche Dinge hierbei zu berücksichtigen sind.
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Enhancing Men’s Role in HIV Prevention
Community Health Volunteers
Obesity and diabetes are affecting the peoples of the Americas at high and increasing rates. National surveys demonstrate that obesity is increasing in prevalence among all age groups; 7% to 12% of children under 5 years old and
one-fi fth of adolescents are obese, while rates of overweight and obe...sity among adults approach 60%. Obesity is the major modifi able risk factor for diabetes.
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Infectious disease outbreaks are periods of
great uncertainty. Events unfold, resources
and capacities that are often limited
are stretched yet further, and decisions
for a public health response must be
made quickly, even though the evidence
for decision-making may be scant. In
such a... situation, public health officials,
policy-makers, funders, researchers, field
epidemiologists, first responders, national
ethics boards, health-care workers, and public
health practitioners need a moral compass
to guide them in their decision-making.
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