Dengue &Mosquitoes Bill Brieger | 24 Aug 2016 12:33 am
Decreasing Household Costs of Dengue Prevention at Low-Altitudes in Colombia …
… Redirecting Resources into the Hands of People Who Slap Mosquitoes Everyday.
(Photo by James Gathany)
Colombia bears high burdens associated with dengue. During the 2010 epidemic, disability-adjusted-life-years lost were 1178.93 (per 1 million inhabitants) versus just 88.38 averaged for 2011-2012. Rodriguez et. al (2016) estimated economic burdens higher than $129.9 million USD each year, with most of the burden at the individual household level (46%, 62%, and 64%) for preventing/controlling mosquitos.
The Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection uses the 1,800m elevation mark when allocating money to low-altitude departments for dengue-related expenditures. This suggests that only half of Colombia’s 47 million residents are at risk for dengue. However, many people vacation at low altitudes where they risk becoming infected and bringing dengue back home. If low-altitude residents were better equipped to control mosquitos, then both residents and visitors would be better protected. Unfortunately, low-altitude residents shoulder a greater financial burden for mosquito prevention than the government. Rodriquez et al. (2016) reported that almost $85 million USD was the highest household burden (for prevention alone) between 2010 and 2012, while the highest government burden was only $35 million USD (for prevention, awareness campaigns, and control combined).
If the Ministry of Health and Social Protection’s vision of equity-based protection and healthcare resources for all is to come to fruition, more money must flow into prevention and control. Residents should not have to buy expensive sprays when they already live in poverty. If Ministry-controlled finances were earmarked for inexpensive yet effective household supplies, such as curtains and water container covers, then less money would be required for treatment. I advocate for reshuffling some of the dengue-related funds to reflect the prevention priority; increase amounts for household prevention and decrease treatment allocations.
Let’s not make low-altitude residents choose between buying expensive sprays or food to eat. It’s hard enough already just to slap together supper.