|
||||||||
Severe
Acute |
Maps in this section examine the global prevalence of some important diseases superimposed with contemporary immunization rates where available. As data becomes available and is processed we plan to expand the range of diseases covered. Communicable disease continues to take a heavy and largely preventable toll, particularly on children in developing countries. (See Cause of Death). Many of the world's most fatal diseases can be prevented by proper immunization. To achieve this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a very successful campaign to eradicate polio by 2005. (See Polio). Likewise measles and diphtheria are other diseases that have responded successfully to immunization programs. Immunization is important not only in terms of health services, but for economic equality because is usually much cheaper to immunize children than to treat the disease when it is manifest. Constraints on immunization are many. Apart from political and economic constraints, the difficulty of delivering refrigerated vaccines to rural areas has required new technology and infrastructures, collectively termed Cold Chains, In addition, war and other conflicts can create difficulties for medical workers to reach children in strife-torn areas. |