Journal Article > CommentaryAbstract Only
Science. 2014 September 12; Volume 345 (Issue 6202); 1290-1292.; DOI:10.1126/science.1254164
Ager A, Burnham G, Checchi F, Gayer M, Grais RF, et al.
Science. 2014 September 12; Volume 345 (Issue 6202); 1290-1292.; DOI:10.1126/science.1254164
Given the growing scale and complexity of responses to humanitarian crises, it is important to develop a stronger evidence base for health interventions in such contexts. Humanitarian crises present unique challenges to rigorous and effective research, but there are substantial opportunities for scientific advance. Studies need to focus where the translation of evidence from noncrisis scenarios is not viable and on ethical ways of determining what happens in the absence of an intervention. Robust methodologies suited to crisis settings have to be developed and used to assess interventions with potential for delivery at scale. Strengthening research capacity in the low- to middle-income countries that are vulnerable to crises is also crucial.
Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Science. 2011 December 9; Volume 334 (Issue 6061); DOI:10.1126/science.1210554
Bharti N, Tatem AJ, Ferrari MJ, Grais RF, Djibo A, et al.
Science. 2011 December 9; Volume 334 (Issue 6061); DOI:10.1126/science.1210554
Measles epidemics in West Africa cause a significant proportion of vaccine-preventable childhood mortality. Epidemics are strongly seasonal, but the drivers of these fluctuations are poorly understood, which limits the predictability of outbreaks and the dynamic response to immunization. We show that measles seasonality can be explained by spatiotemporal changes in population density, which we measure by quantifying anthropogenic light from satellite imagery. We find that measles transmission and population density are highly correlated for three cities in Niger. With dynamic epidemic models, we demonstrate that measures of population density are essential for predicting epidemic progression at the city level and improving intervention strategies. In addition to epidemiological applications, the ability to measure fine-scale changes in population density has implications for public health, crisis management, and economic development.
Journal Article > CommentaryAbstract
Science. 2010 July 9; Volume 329 (Issue 5988); DOI:10.1126/science.1193294
Girard F, Ford NP, Montaner JSG, Cahn P, Katabira E
Science. 2010 July 9; Volume 329 (Issue 5988); DOI:10.1126/science.1193294
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Science. 2001 August 10; Volume 293 (Issue 5532); 1049-1051.; DOI:10.1126/science.1061861
Gupta RS, Kim JH, Espinal MA, Caudron JM, Pecoul B, et al.
Science. 2001 August 10; Volume 293 (Issue 5532); 1049-1051.; DOI:10.1126/science.1061861
Journal Article > ResearchAbstract Only
Science. 2017 November 10; Volume 358 (Issue 6364); 785-789.; DOI:10.1126/science.aad5901
Weill FX, Domman D, Njamkepo E, Tarr C, Rauzier J, et al.
Science. 2017 November 10; Volume 358 (Issue 6364); 785-789.; DOI:10.1126/science.aad5901
The seventh cholera pandemic has heavily affected Africa, although the origin and continental spread of the disease remain undefined. We used genomic data from 1070 Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates, across 45 African countries and over a 49-year period, to show that past epidemics were attributable to a single expanded lineage. This lineage was introduced at least 11 times since 1970, into two main regions, West Africa and East/Southern Africa, causing epidemics that lasted up to 28 years. The last five introductions into Africa, all from Asia, involved multidrug-resistant sublineages that replaced antibiotic-susceptible sublineages after 2000. This phylogenetic framework describes the periodicity of lineage introduction and the stable routes of cholera spread, which should inform the rational design of control measures for cholera in Africa.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Science. 2009 May 14; Volume 324 (Issue 5929); DOI:10.1126/science.1173890
Bhattacharya S, Black RE, Bourgeois L, Clemens JD, Cravioto A, et al.
Science. 2009 May 14; Volume 324 (Issue 5929); DOI:10.1126/science.1173890
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Science. 2024 March 15; Volume 383 (Issue 6688); 1181-1182.; DOI:10.1126/science.ado6257
Sprecher A, Van Herp M
Science. 2024 March 15; Volume 383 (Issue 6688); 1181-1182.; DOI:10.1126/science.ado6257
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Science. 2012 July 20; Volume 337 (Issue 6092); 298-300.; DOI:10.1126/science.1225702
Lynch S, Ford NP, van Cutsem G, Bygrave H, Janssens B, et al.
Science. 2012 July 20; Volume 337 (Issue 6092); 298-300.; DOI:10.1126/science.1225702
The new understanding that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can significantly reduce HIV transmission has stimulated scientific and political leaders to claim that ending the AIDS epidemic is now a realistic goal. At the same time and despite last year's major international political commitments to put 15 million people on treatment by 2015, large funding gaps threaten the gains already made and limit the potential to capitalize on the latest scientific progress. Underresourced clinics are managing ever-increasing numbers of people on treatment, even though there is attrition all along the care continuum, from testing to treatment initiation and long-term retention in care.