PLoS medicine
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Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health problem. In all societies, the disease affects the poorest individuals the worst. A new post-2015 global TB strategy has been developed by WHO, which explicitly highlights the key role of universal health coverage (UHC) and social protection. ⋯ We propose a framework for monitoring both health and social protection coverage, and their impact on TB epidemiology. We describe key indicators and review methodological considerations. We show that while monitoring of general health care access will be important to track the health system environment within which TB services are delivered, specific indicators on TB access, quality, and financial risk protection can also serve as equity-sensitive tracers for progress towards and achievement of overall access and social protection.
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This paper is a country case study for the Universal Health Coverage Collection, organized by WHO. Abebe Alebachew and colleagues illustrate progress towards UHC and its monitoring and evaluation in Ethiopia. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary
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Richard Steketee discusses the two studies by Clara Menendez and colleagues that describe using mefloquine for the intermittent preventative therapy of malaria in both HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women and outlines the next steps. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary