TITLE:
Economic Burden of Infectious Diseases and Benefit of Control and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa
AUTHORS:
Verner N. Orish
KEYWORDS:
Infectious Diseases, Malaria, Economic Burden, TB, HIV Control Programmes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.12,
December
10,
2015
ABSTRACT: Infectious disease is a serious global health problem. However, its
negative impact is felt more in sub Saharan Africa. Epidemiological figures
have shown that the burden of infectious disease is highest in the African continent
especially in sub Saharan Africa. A majority of people leaving in sub
Saharan Africa are poor and their exposure to infectious disease worsens their
poverty situation. Aside impoverishing infected individuals, infectious
diseases also directly negatively impact the economy of the country involved,
reducing economic growth and productivity. Diseases like malaria, HIV,
tuberculosis TB, and other epidemic prone diseases like Cholera and Ebola constantly
pose a threat to economic development in Sub Saharan Africa. It is therefore
pertinent to invest in disease prevention strategies to curb the burden and
reduce the impact of infectious diseases on the economy of countries in sub
Saharan Africa. This mini review re-echoes the burden of infectious diseases
and discusses ways and strategies to reduce the burden of these diseases and
the economic benefits that will be accrued at the long run.