Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113083

Li Liu, MBBS, Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, 1620 McElderry Street, Suite 11D4, Baltimore, MD 21205, 443-756-3350, liliu@jhsph.edu and Adnan A. Hyder, MD, MPH, PhD, Department of International Health, Division of Community Health and Health Systems, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Suite E-8132, Baltimore, MD 21205.

It has been more than 10 years since the first introduction of burden of disease concept as a comprehensive measure of population health in “World Development Report” (1993). However, details of methodology, as well as the utility of such kind of exercise are still under intensive debate, both in research and policy-making areas. To deeply explore the methodological problems in applying national burden of disease exercises, to further examine the social context of burden of disease estimation, and to provide more evidence-based policy implications, this burden of disease monograph study is implemented. Seven burden-of-disease studies focusing on a dozen of countries all over the world, mainly developing, are reviewed. Key methods and results of each study are summarized and compared. Strengths and limitations of these studies are presented. In addition, policy implications based on each study and seven studies as a whole are discussed. Special efforts are attempted to sort out a general list of problems in burden of disease studies encountered in developing countries. Further research and policy related issues that need to be addressed in the future are discussed at the end.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, participants will be able to identify problems faced by researchers in burden of disease studies in developing countries. In addition, learners will recognize future research and policy issues in this area.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.