The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank are joining forces once again to revisit and enhance their estimates of the economic toll caused by foodborne diseases. This collaborative effort aims to comprehensively evaluate the global burden of foodborne infections, including patient statistics, mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to these illnesses.
Initially published in 2015, the WHO’s first figures on foodborne diseases spurred further analysis by the World Bank in 2018. This analysis revealed a staggering annual cost of $110 billion in lost productivity and medical expenses for low- and middle-income economies due to unsafe food.
In response to the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group’s recommendation in 2022, the WHO plans to delve deeper into estimating the economic impact of foodborne hazards. This crucial update will not only help in understanding public health implications but also guide policy-making and resource allocation for better food safety management.
The upcoming 2025 release of updated WHO figures will lay the groundwork for the World Bank and WHO to develop a more comprehensive assessment of the economic impacts of foodborne diseases. A virtual meeting in early 2024 will convene experts to explore alternative economic measures, aiming to surpass the previous focus solely on lost productivity.
To achieve these ambitious goals, WHO is actively seeking individuals well-versed in health economics, particularly in the economic valuation of health outcomes, as well as those familiar with health treatment data in low- and middle-income countries. The selection process for participants will commence on Jan. 8, 2024.
Moreover, WHO emphasizes the importance of gathering outbreak data for source attribution of foodborne pathogens. National outbreak data submission from public health surveillance, due by Feb. 29, 2024, will be instrumental in identifying the roles of various food sources in causing infections. This analysis will help estimate the contribution of different foods to illnesses caused by specific pathogens, regardless of whether they are simple or complex, single-ingredient items or multi-ingredient dishes.
The collaborative efforts between WHO and the World Bank signify a proactive step towards understanding and mitigating the economic impact of foodborne illnesses globally, highlighting the crucial role of accurate data and expert insights in shaping effective strategies for food safety. For more information on food safety, reach out to PJRFSI today at [email protected].
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