Yale University

Researchers Reveal Ugandan Medicine Disparities

A recent Yale study led by School of Public Health professor Mari Armstrong-Hough focused on Uganda’s lack of access to medication for noncommunicable diseases, like heart disease and diabetes. The study pointed out disparities in the availability of essential medicines for these diseases, both regionally and among different types of facilities.

Using data collected by the Uganda Ministry of Health, Armstrong-Hough’s group applied a statistical model to predict the likelihood that a facility would have medication for chronic illnesses. For example, the researchers found that, independent of other factors, private, for-profit facilities were nearly twice as likely to have these treatments in stock as their public counterparts. Public sector facilities often provide these medications free of charge, whereas the price of the same drugs at private facilities can be out of financial reach for much of the Ugandan population.

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