Articles tagged with Low Income Countries
A new study reveals the devastating impacts of flue-cured Virginia tobacco production on the environment and farmers' lives in Zimbabwe. The research highlights the destruction of 60,000 hectares of Miombo woodland each year and an economic context that prevents farmers from diversifying into less damaging crops.
A recent study published in CANCER found that the number and complexity of cancer clinical trials have varied greatly across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) since 2001. While economic growth has been a contributing factor, it is not the sole determinant of cancer clinical trial growth among LMICs.
A new study suggests that MNEs can control crises and reduce supplier-induced ESG controversies by building small-world supply networks. This approach enables MNEs to moderate the behaviors of their suppliers, improving sustainability and reducing reputational risks.
A new gene therapy delivery device called NANOSPRESSO could revolutionize how hospitals treat rare diseases by allowing them to create personalized nanomedicines in-house. This democratized approach to precision medicine could boost access to low-cost bespoke gene and RNA therapies, especially in low-resource settings.
A study found that 186 countries struggle to produce enough of essential food groups for their own needs, with significant gaps in meat and dairy products. The research highlights the need for international cooperation to build resilient food supply chains and ensure public health.
Young adults in sex work, the LGBTQ+ community, and those living with HIV are facing a surge in online abuse, including non-consensual image sharing and violent threats. The study reveals how stigma, digital exclusion, and fear are creating barriers to accessing health information and support online.
Tropical cyclones significantly reduce school enrollment, especially for girls in areas unaccustomed to frequent storms. The study found that exposure to any cyclone at preschool age decreases the likelihood of starting primary school by 2.5%, with a maximum decrease of 8.8% after intense storms.
A new report warns of a sharp decline in pre-primary education aid, highlighting the scale of inequalities between rich and poor nations. The total aid spent on pre-primary education was the second highest since records began, but represented just 1.2% of global education aid.
A cohort study of 46,000 US residents found nearly two-thirds had suboptimal 5-year sleep duration trajectories, associated with increased risk of mortality. Maintaining healthy sleep duration is crucial for reducing mortality risk in this population.
A recent analysis reveals significant gaps in cancer drug cost and availability between high- and low-income countries. Inequities in access to therapy, screening, and healthcare infrastructure contribute to higher cancer incidence and mortality rates in low-income countries.
A new study reveals significant declines in West African coastal fish stocks, with key local species experiencing reduced catches and smaller fish sizes. Local knowledge from fishermen and fishmongers highlights the impact of semi-industrial fishing practices on marine ecosystems.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly widened existing economic and health disparities, slowing progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Low-income countries can expect an average progress loss of 16.5% across all health indicators.
A new statistical analysis by King's College London found that the current poverty line calculation leads to a skewed picture of global poverty distribution, hampering efforts to eradicate it. The study suggests that a better alternative exists, based on the UN's Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development.
A new study found that extreme temperatures are associated with increased risks of death from ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, particularly in low-income countries. The researchers analyzed data from over 3.4 million ischemic stroke deaths and 2.4 million hemorrhagic stroke deaths across 522 cities in 25 countries.
A new study using AI to analyze global antimicrobial resistance research found significant gaps in terminology, methods, and communication across sectors. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating surveillance across regions and regions worldwide to prioritize solutions.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a battery based on zinc and lignin that can be used over 8000 times, retaining its charge for approximately one week. The battery is stable and easily recyclable, making it a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
A new international study reveals that fluctuating coffee prices have a significant negative effect on the mental well-being of Vietnamese farmers. The study found that price volatility leads to increased stress, anxiety, and reduced social capital among farmers.
A recent analysis found a strong link between air pollution and mortality from cardiovascular diseases worldwide. In low-income countries, household air pollution caused significantly more stroke-related deaths than outdoor air pollution.
A recent study by ICTA-UAB found that many societies with very low monetary income have remarkably high levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those in wealthy countries. The average life satisfaction score across the studied small-scale societies was 6.8 on a scale of 0-10.
A systematic review published in the journal Virulence reveals that introducing more diverse gut bacteria can improve outcomes for people and animals infected with cryptosporidium. This may be achieved through diet, probiotics, or faecal transplant therapy.
A study by the CHAMPS network found that 82% of child deaths in low-income countries could have been prevented through targeted interventions. The research used minimally invasive autopsies to investigate causes of death and highlighted the role of infections, with an infectious agent found in 87% of cases.
A study found that increased availability of fruit and vegetables results in lower levels of raised blood pressure nationwide. Many countries, particularly low-income nations, face limited access to fruits and vegetables, increasing the risk of higher blood pressure.
A new study assessing One Health Networks globally reveals that investment has not been equitably distributed, with low diversity in stakeholder and sector representation. The study highlights the need for more inclusive and equitable partnerships to address pressing global health threats.
A study finds that governments could help millions of people and save a lot of money with targeted energy subsidies. The research quantifies the impacts of the energy crisis on households worldwide, revealing that indirect energy costs impose the biggest burden on both high- and low-income countries.
A global survey of large carnivore attacks found that attacks in high-income countries occurred mostly during recreation, while those in low-income countries were linked to livelihood activities. The study also highlighted the importance of tailored approaches to prevent such attacks.
Researchers investigated the relationship between diet quality and gestational weight gain during pregnancy, ruling out poor diet quality as a major cause. The study found that a high intake of red meat may be associated with an increased risk of gestational weight gain.
A large cohort study in Tanzania found that antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child by 99.5%. The study suggests that achieving the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission is possible with modern antiviral drugs.
A survey of six European countries found strong public support for transferring COVID-19 vaccines to poorer nations and prioritizing those with the greatest need. Europeans consistently prioritized individuals most vulnerable, employed individuals, or those who lost income during the pandemic over unemployed individuals.
A global study found that cardiovascular disease risk factors are largely the same for men and women, except for high LDL levels which affect men more. Women have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke due to their estrogen's effect on vessel walls and liver function.
Researchers developed a mobile phone app using AI to accurately detect COVID-19 infection in people's voices, outperforming lateral flow tests. The app achieved an accuracy of 89% and can be used for remote testing, enabling rapid screening of populations.
A study of over 32,000 West African children found that extreme heat exposure increases the prevalence of stunted growth from chronic malnutrition by 12% and of low weight from acute malnutrition by 29%. The researchers estimate that rising temperatures could nearly double the effect of heat exposure on stunting.
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals stark differences in survival rates for children with retinoblastoma between high- and low-income countries. In low-income countries, the risk of death from retinoblastoma within three years of diagnosis is significantly higher, with over two-fifths of children dying within t...
A new study by ICTA-UAB reveals that existing climate mitigation scenarios perpetuate energy use inequalities between the Global North and South. To stop climate change, the Global North must reduce its energy consumption to sustainable levels while allowing for sufficient growth in energy use in the rest of the world.
A new study found that road fatalities and injuries kill more young people than communicable and non-communicable diseases or self-harm. The number of deaths attributed to road fatalities for adolescents has increased in some countries, particularly in low and low-middle income countries.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that patients in Tanzania faced barriers to accessing rehabilitative care following an injury, including difficulty finding transportation or childcare. The research highlights the need for improved patient education and increased access to outpatient services.
A study found that B12 deficiency is widespread among young children in low-income countries, leading to poor motor development and anaemia. Daily B12 supplements are crucial for brain development, but food relief programs often fail to provide sufficient amounts.
A new study projects that climate change will more than double the frequency of intense tropical cyclones globally by 2050, increasing maximum wind speeds by up to 20%. This will disproportionately affect low-income countries and regions that are not currently prone to these events.
Researchers have found that preterm infants with certain viral signatures in their gut are at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and often fatal disease. The study highlights the potential for early warning signals to alert clinicians, allowing emergency action to be taken.
A study by Jason Hickel reveals that the global North appropriates vast resources and labor from the global South through price differentials in international trade, resulting in a net drain of $10.8 trillion in 2015. This unsustainable practice perpetuates global inequality and ecological breakdown.
A study in rural Ethiopia found that community-based rehabilitation, supported by local health centers and medication, reduced symptoms and improved functioning for individuals with schizophrenia. Community-based rehabilitation workers also helped participants access healthcare services and support their families.
Researchers found that machine learning models can help predict village food insecurity outcomes in Sub-Saharan African countries. The models incorporate publicly available data on weather, geography, and food prices to capture a wide variety of factors that can influence food insecurity. Key takeaways include the need for interpretabl...
A new study found that 60% of countries involved in SDG partnerships are high- or upper-middle-income, while lower-income countries have limited participation. The unequal distribution of partnerships may hinder sustainable development worldwide.
A team of Lehigh University undergraduates has won the National Institutes of Health's Healthcare Technologies for Low-Resource Settings Prize for developing a diagnostic device to detect sickle cell disease in infants. The $15,000 prize will support further development and testing of the device, which could improve healthcare outcomes...
A new study from the University of Southampton demonstrates a safe method to clean and reuse facemask respirators using advanced low-temperature plasma technology. This technique can remove 99.99% of coronavirus while maintaining filter performance, reducing plastic waste by approximately 70%.
A satirical opinion article by Iruka Okeke critiques the extractive and exploitive aspects of health research partnerships between high-income and low-income countries. The author highlights twenty problematic practices that maintain and exacerbate inequities in global health biomedical research.
International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 35.7% increase in global development assistance for health in 2020, reaching $13.7 billion. However, this surge still falls short of the estimated $33 billion to $62 billion needed to address the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries.
Scientists propose integrated strategy combining climate action with policies for development, food access, equity, and environmental sustainability. The Sustainable Development Pathway aims to reconcile decent living with ecological boundaries.
The global demand for cancer surgery is projected to rise from 9.1 million to 13.8 million cases by 2040, with a 52% increase in low-income countries. The study estimates that these countries will need to increase their surgeon and anaesthetist numbers substantially to meet the growing demand.
The global demand for cancer surgery is projected to increase by 52% between 2018 and 2040, with the largest relative increase in low-income countries. Improving care systems worldwide is crucial to reduce mortality rates from complications.
A randomized clinical trial in Sierra Leone showed that trained associate clinicians can perform groin hernia operations as safely and effectively as doctors. The study's findings suggest task sharing could help address surgical care shortages in low-income countries.
A new study predicts that an additional dose of rotavirus vaccine at nine months old will provide a modest 5-16% reduction in RVGE incidence over the first three years. The study found that lower vaccine effectiveness during the second year of life is not necessarily due to waning immunity, but rather due to high rates of rotavirus tra...
A global surveillance system (GSS) is proposed to strengthen and interconnect crop biosecurity systems, reducing food lost to pests by up to 70% by 2050. The system would prioritize six major crops and tap into cutting-edge technology for rapid disease diagnostics.
A new study finds that out-of-pocket spending is a major problem in low- and middle-income countries, forcing people to choose between care and poverty. By 2050, health spending is projected to nearly double to $15.0 trillion, with less than one percent spent in currently low-income countries.
A global carbon tax would benefit low-carbon economies relative to high-carbon ones, creating winners and losers within each group. Countries with more hydropower or nuclear power would hold a distinct competitive advantage.
A study led by ISGlobal identifies a simple algorithm that can predict mortality risk in newborns and babies after hospital discharge, particularly for those under three months old. The implementation of this model could contribute to reducing child mortality in low-income countries.
The study reveals that online labor platforms provide companies with a simple and cheap mechanism to hire knowledge workers in lower-income countries. Workers from emerging economies can earn more and have more predictable work hours through these platforms, but their income can be less stable.
The study found that global levels of physical activity have remained stagnant since 2001, with over a quarter of the world's adult population not meeting recommended levels of activity to stay healthy. In 2016, around 32% of women and 23% of men worldwide were insufficiently active.
A study by the University of Melbourne and Harvard Medical School found that international aid spent on youth health projects is drastically underinvested in the developing world. Despite making up 12-13% of disease burden, adolescents receive only a tiny share of global investments.
A comprehensive study identifies seven core elements for effective antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospitals worldwide. These essential components include leadership commitment, accountability, and education, which are applicable across high-income and low-income countries.