Changing Demographics and Disease Burden in Low Resource Countries

Many factors contribute to the health of individuals and populations, including fundamental individual characteristics and socio-economic determinants of health. This chapter explores global health inequities and the relationship of these with the variation in health and healthcare worldwide. The burden of disease in low resource countries (LRCs) has undergone a recent shift from communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases (CMNN) to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now being the leading cause. This shift can be attributed to the advancements in the research of communicable diseases, including the significant emphasis on promoting adequate hygiene, administering vaccinations against preventable diseases and utilising antibiotic treatments. This chapter explores whether LRCs are equipped to handle this shift and raises questions as to whether they can meet the needs of their evolving populations.