Health Disparities in Rheumatic Diseases: Understanding Global Challenges in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Asia and Proposing Strategies for Improvement

Dzifa Dey; Savino Sciascia; Guillermo J Pons-Estel; Huihua Ding; Nan Shen

doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2020.09.009

Health Disparities in Rheumatic Diseases: Understanding Global Challenges in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Asia and Proposing Strategies for Improvement

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2021 Feb;47(1):119-132. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2020.09.009.

Authors

Dzifa Dey¹, Savino Sciascia², Guillermo J Pons-Estel³, Huihua Ding⁴, Nan Shen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, PO Box 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Piazza del Donatore di Sangue 3, Turin 10154, Italy.
³ Centro Regional de Enfermedades Autoinmunes y Reumaticas (GO-CREAR), Rosario, Argentina.
⁴ Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 34042051
DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2020.09.009

Abstract

Rheumatic diseases reach across continents with some similarities as well as unique challenges. The intersection between genetic factors, environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors, as well as challenges, with delays in access to subspecialty care and medications, manifest in different ways. By understanding both the challenges and successes in different countries, while also recognizing the significant diversity both within and across continents, unified strategies to improve rheumatic disease outcomes and decrease disparities among the most vulnerable groups can be developed and disseminated.

Keywords: Africa; Asia, Disparities; Europe; Latin America; Rheumatic diseases.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Africa / epidemiology
Asia / epidemiology
Europe / epidemiology
Humans
Latin America / epidemiology
Rheumatic Diseases* / epidemiology
Rheumatic Diseases* / therapy