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This report presents evidence that diabetes is a global epidemic. It contains comprehensive information in the following sections: What is diabetes?; The Global Burden; Regional Overviews; Diabetes and Development; Linking Local to Global; Resources and Solutions; References; Additional Resources. This report is useful for health professionals, scientists, economists, policy-makers, and national and international agencies

This article assesses "the contribution of physical, mental, and cognitive chronic diseases to disability, and the extent to which sociodemographic and health characteristics account for geographical variation in disability." Using cross sectional surveys of people aged over 65 in seven low and middle income countries, the findings highlight specific associations of chronic diseases to disability and overall that dementia, not blindness, is overwhelmingly the most important independent contributor to disability for elderly people in low and middle income countries. This resource is useful to people interested in the contribution of chronic diseases to disability in elderly people
The Lancet, Vol 374, Issue 97041
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To better understand the economic condition of persons with disabilities (PWDs), it is crucial that information about their economic activities and daily life is obtained. This information can serve as basis for the formulation of policies and intervention strategies for the government, other stakeholders, and the international community. In 2008, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies collaborated with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE) in Japan, to undertake a survey on PWDs in Metro Manila. The survey covered four Metro Manila cities, namely: Makati, Pasay, Valenzuela, and Quezon City. It was conducted in partnership with the Social Welfare Office of each of the cities and various PWD organizations. This report presents the results of this survey.

DP 2009-25

The 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) is a nationally representative survey of 8,531 women age 15-49 years and 2,503 men age 15-54 years and is the first such survey to cover the entire country. The primary purpose of the UDHS is to furnish policymakers and planners with detailed information on fertility; family planning; infant, child, adult, and maternal mortality; maternal and child health; nutrition; and knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. In addition, in one in three households selected for the survey, women age 15-49, men age 15-54, and children under age 5 years were weighed and their height was measured to assess their nutritional status. Women, men, and children age 6-59 months, in this subset of households were also tested for anemia, and in addition the women and children were tested for vitamin A deficiency. In addition to the main report, the key findings, a preliminary report, a wall chart and fact sheet are also available online

'This study's aims are to: (1) determine the prevalence of functional limitations among older adults in Cambodia using activities of daily living (ADLs); (2) compare limitation prevalence with other countries in the region; (3) estimate active life expectancy; (4) examine standard correlates of functional status and assess whether they are associated with limitation in expected ways. ADLs included here are bathing, dressing, eating, and getting up from lying down. Degree of difficulty is used to determine whether limitations are moderate or severe. Results are generally consistent with expectations. For example, women live longer than men but spend a greater proportion of life with limitations, and older age is related to higher rates of limitation and less active life. Elderly Cambodians appear more likely to report limitations than their counterparts in neighboring countries. A contribution of the analysis is the examination of a basic measure of health among a population that until recently has been isolated from the rest of the world.'

This report was commissioned by WHO to address the relevance of primary health care (PHC) in a changing world. It addresses three questions: what contribution does WHO see PHC being able to make, at Member State level, in improving the health of populations in the future? How should WHO be helping countries to optimize the contribution PHC can make to improve population health? and, What capacities will WHO need to operate in that way? The first four sections of the report summarise the context for, and outcomes from, the global PHC reviews (undertaken by each regional office) to date. The remaining sections then suggest a range of possible future strategic directions which could inform policy development for PHC, particularly at country level