Infectious diseases

Ebola: accurate information prevents rumours and panic : educating leaders is one measure - along with distributing soap

Upphovsperson:	Crentsil, Perpetual
Utgivare:	Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Agrarian Change, Property and Resources | Uppsala
År:	2015
Ämnesord:	Ebola virus, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, West Africa, Epidemics, Disease control, Health personnel, Health policy, Health system, Infectious diseases, medical care, Traditional medicine, Funeral

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is unprecedented in its scope. This Policy Note stresses the importance of knowledge of social factors in preventing the spread of the fatal disease. There are similarities with the previous HIV/AIDS epidemic. Traditional healers and heads of households are key players for health experts to target in protecting people against infection. Normal funeral services are one source of infection. A very basic preventive measure is providing families with soap.

HIV and Income Inequality: If there is a link, what does it tell us?

Upphovsperson:	Holmqvist, Göran
Utgivare:	Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Globalization, Trade and Regional Integration | Brasilia : IPC
År:	2009
Ämnesord:	Income inequality, Hiv, economics, Nationalekonomi, Infectious diseases, Infektionssjukdomar

There is a striking variation in the prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among countries and regions of the world, with a distinct geographical pattern. This paper explores the link between income inequality and HIV. It presents empirical evidence—a meta-study and additional cross-country regression results—that clearly support the argument that such a link exists. The interpretation of this link is an open issue. Four different hypotheses are discussed, each one pointing out a transit route from income inequality to HIV. The paper presents preliminary evidence on these routes and identifies potential areas for future research.