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Introduction
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease that is a major cause of mortality worldwide. In 2021, approximately 10.6 million people developed active tuberculosis, and 1.6 million people died. While the general population has had a 2% average reduction in tuberculosis incidence rates in the last 3 years, there has been an increase in the concentration of the disease within lower socioeconomic classes, especially those who are already vulnerable.
The disease is inequitably distributed within regions and is influenced by socioeconomic factors, making certain groups more vulnerable to tuberculosis. Vulnerable populations, as determined by this study, are underprivileged, underserved and hard to reach. This study focuses on people who face structural barriers when accessing healthcare services.
Results
The researchers screened over 13,000 cases of tuberculosis within vulnerable populations and conducted a thorough read–through of over 44 medical journals to find conclusive results. The researchers found that the burden of tuberculosis was far higher among vulnerable populations than general populations. This suggests that society needs to improve the integration of these groups into general society and conduct dedicated efforts for their health and treatment support.
Conclusion
The study was one of the more comprehensive assessments of the burden of the disease in vulnerable populations, as there was thorough research conducted. A major strength of this study was the thoroughness of the research - the style of study itself was an advantage as the researchers were able to collate and analyse existing data from high quality sources. Additionally, most of the research was recent, and therefore provided a more relevant perspective to the issue.
However, there were limitations to the study as well. Firstly, the researchers had to include some studies which were not solely focused on tuberculosis, instead generalising the disease to any pulmonary conditions - this difference could affect the results, as there were no specifics provided in relation to the incidence of tuberculosis. Secondly, the researchers chose to collate reviews in only 3 languages, leaving less-studied populations out of their work. Finally, the study didn’t separate these groups by age, instead focusing on other factors such as the living situations and occupations of the subjects. The exemption of age could play a major role in the results of this study, and is therefore a limitation.
Overall, the study was a thorough overview of existing literature, and provided proof that providing these vulnerable groups with affordable, high-quality healthcare is essential to prevent and control communicable diseases like tuberculosis. Access to high-quality healthcare is essential in preventing and regulating disease - without this right, and with a lack of awareness, these population groups are far more vulnerable to disease - with far more severe consequences.
By Vedika
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