Mental Health constitutes a major public health challenge undermining the social and economic development throughout much of the developing world. It is estimated that mental disorders account for 13% of the global burden of disease (WHO 2008). However, in most developing countries mental health remains utterly neglected by the health system. In Bangladesh, for example, a meager 0.5% of the tot...

Background and purpose: In 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the fairness of financial contribution to health care costs, as one of the three goals of health systems. However, conducted studies in Iran reflect the dire situation in the context of health equity in terms of financing health care costs. The aim of the present study is to determine the disparities in health expendi...

the situation of people with disabilities in the developing countries should be a matter of great concern. there are today close to 250 million severely and moderately disabled persons in these countries; the annual increase is 10 million. most of them are poor, dependent neglected, excluded from education, training and jobs; they die early and have no power while alive. between 15 and 20% of a...

BACKGROUND To assess the association of socioeconomic position (SEP), measured by family financial situation and housing tenure in childhood and adulthood, with mental health conditions in adulthood. METHODS Representative cross-sectional population data were collected using a risk factor surveillance system in South Australia, Australia. Each month, a random sample were selected from the Ele...

Globalization should have a tremendous impact on health systems, particularly with the implementation of agreements related to trade in health services. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) Member States have made rather limited commitments in the area of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), necessary adaptations are needed to cope with t...

OBJECTIVE To summarize the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) in Brazil, especially as it relates to the evolution of the health sector in recent decades, the process of health sector reform, and current proposals of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. METHODS A review was conducted of data from the Ministry of Health of Brazil on tuberculosis in the country over the last 20 years, ...

The World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has made huge progress in terms of use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the healthcare sector. Despite the late entry of ICT in health in the Region, there have been many impressive developments both as public health applications and in medical care. The article attempts to draw a picture of the current status ...