Menzies School of Health Research’s Post

Despite progress in global health, tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent challenge, killing someone every 20 seconds. We have been at the forefront, treating and preventing TB in vulnerable communities worldwide including drug-resistant strains. Join us in debunking TB myths and advocating for more accessibility to affordable care: https://lnkd.in/erGBrd-7

Study finds #methaemoglobin levels could predict malaria recurrence - Methaemoglobin levels during treatment for #vivax malaria could be used  to predict whether a patient would have recurrent malaria Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit MORU NDM Centre for Global Health Research   Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eVDfYbqf Full paper 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSUZ36Da

Press release: The World Health Organization has granted prequalification to tafenoquine, a single-dose radical cure for relapsing Plasmodium vivax #malaria. WHO has also included the medicine in its updated Guidelines for malaria, marking the first time the global health agency has recommended it.    This milestone is a significant step towards closing the treatment gap for P. vivax malaria for both children and adults and advancing the fight for malaria elimination. Co-developed by MMV and GSK, tafenoquine is an example of the impact fruitful #partnerships can have on public health.     Read the press release: bit.ly/3ZCPrYT 

Access to health care is crucial to preventing diseases like tuberculosis (TB). In Bangladesh, scientists and nonprofits are joining forces to bring innovative solutions like mobile X-ray machines to communities most likely to have TB. These portable tools help to detect the disease earlier and provide lifesaving care to people who need it most. As researchers and leaders, we need to support efforts like these and advocate for increased access to quality care everywhere. https://lnkd.in/eca4Hq_d 

The State of Comorbidities Between Malaria and Non-Communicable Diseases 🌍💔 Malaria continues to be a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it affects millions and leads to substantial morbidity and mortality. In 2020 alone, there were approximately 241 million cases worldwide, resulting in about 627,000 deaths, primarily among vulnerable populations. 🦟 At the same time, the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases is alarming. These diseases account for around 71% of global deaths annually. The coexistence of malaria and NCDs creates a dual burden, straining healthcare systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 📈 Understanding the interplay between these two health challenges is critical for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This is one of the research topics of Didida, for which several of our PhD students contribute significantly. Together, we must address the shared risk factors and implement integrated approaches to combat this pressing issue! 💪✨ #PublicHealth #Malaria #NonCommunicableDiseases #GlobalHealth

A great milestone in the fight against #malaria! The prequalification of tafenoquine by the World Health Organization and its inclusion into the updated guidelines for malaria in South America is an important step in advancing access to first single-dose malaria treatment in endemic countries.

I am thrilled to see the WHO recommends the use of tafenoquine for the prevention of relapse in Plasmodium vivax malaria! Both adult and pediatric formulations of tafenoquine have also been prequalified by WHO, indicating that these medicine meet WHO standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. Tafenoquine offers a single-dose regimen, which can improve patient compliance compared to the traditional 7 or 14-day course of primaquine. This is a significant step forward, equipping countries with a powerful tool to accelerate malaria elimination efforts. Exciting progress for global health! 🌍💊

Research evidence update: Secondary benefits to foundational literacy from a health intervention targeting malaria prevention in primary school children. This article demonstrates the critical intersection between health and education. To access the full article: Comparing approaches for chemoprevention for school-based malaria control in Malawi: an open label, randomized, controlled clinical trial. https://lnkd.in/eWhhpPsA