Public Health in the Middle East and North Africa: Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century (WBI Learning Resources Series)

This volume collects seven of the papers presented at a June 2002 conference held in Beirut to address public health challenges in the broad region comprising the Middle East, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean (MENA/EM). Topics include the economics of choosing public health services, the HIV/AIDS situation, road safety, and strengthening primary health care in Iran. No index is provided. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Public Health in the Middle East and North Africa documents the main highlights and findings from the Middle East Regional Symposium, "Meeting the Public Health Challenges of the 21st Century in the Middle East and North Africa/Eastern Mediterranean Region", held in Beirut in June 2002. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is currently undergoing both epidemiological and demographical transitions which are resulting in changing patterns of mortality and morbidity. Chronic and non-communicable diseases and injuries now account for a growing share of the overall burden of ill health. Countries of the region are faced with the challenge of addressing these emerging issues while at the same time trying to complete the unfinished agenda of addressing diseases and protecting the health of mothers and children. Addressing public health in the MENA region requires both national and regional actions and the symposium provided a unique opportunity for effective transfer of knowledge and exchange of information among major stakeholders Annotation. Documenting the key regional public health challenges, this title serves as a means to stimulate further dialogue and policy actions on critical issues of public health importance to the region