"Emerging Infectious Diseases: Reduce the Risk" is the theme in
the
United States for World Health Day, April 7, 1997. The day will
focus on
challenges associ-ated with emerging, reemerging, and
drug-resistant
infections. Infectious diseases remain the world's leading cause of
death,
accounting for approximately half of the 50 million deaths annually
( 1 ).
In the United States, of the 10 leading causes of death, infectious
diseases account for two (human immunodeficiency virus and
pneumonia and
influenza) ( 2 ).
The increasing interaction between humans and changing
environments
world-wide through access to rapid travel have increased the global
risk
for emerging diseases. In June 1996, the President directed federal
agencies to work together and with other countries to develop a
global
surveillance and response system that can quickly and effectively
address
outbreaks ( 3 ).
The role of education is critical in preventing the spread of
infectious diseases. Improved understanding of risks presented by
emerging
infectious diseases, why these infections occur, and how to control
and
prevent infections will enable indi-viduals, community
organizations,
health professionals, and others to reduce the risks associated
with these
diseases.
The American Association for World Health coordinates World
Health Day activi-ties in the United States in collaboration with
the
association's World Health Day Advisory Committee. Information
about
special events and resource materials about World Health Day 1997
are
available from the American Association for World Health, telephone
(202) 466-5883. Additional information about emerging and other
infectious
diseases is available from CDC by accessing the World-Wide Web at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/ncid.htm.
References
World Health Organization. Progress towards health for all:
third
monitoring report. World Health Stat Q 1995;48:190.
Rosenberg HM, Ventura SJ, Maurer JD, et al. Births and deaths:
United
States, 1995. Hyattsville, Maryland: US Department of Health and
Human
Services, Public Health Service, CDC, National Center for Health
Statistics 1996:31. (Monthly vital statistics report; vol 4, no.
3,
suppl 2).
Gore A. Emerging infections threaten national and global
security. ASM
News 1996; 62:448-9.
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