The Health of adults in the developing world

the long version

Half or more of health resources in developing countries are consumed by the age group that supports society - adults between the ages of fifteen and sixty. To improve the allocation of these resources for adult health, it is first necessary to improve our understanding of it. This book is an important contribution to this process. Some findings in this book were unexpected. In nearly all developing countries adult male mortality exceeds adult female mortality, even in the reproductive age range. In all countries for which adequate data exists, noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of adult mortality. Death rates from noncommunicable diseases decline as a country develops and are lower among the better-off sections of society. Ignorance of such trends can only result in wasteful misallocation of resources. Much ignorance about adult health remains, and the authors of this collection identify important areas for further research. Although comprehensive policy prescriptions for adult health cannot be made, the authors conclude by recommending actions that every developing country should seriously consider.