Who Tech Rep Ser
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This report presents the recommendations of the WHO Expert Committee responsible for updating the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. The first part contains a progress report on the new procedures for updating the Model List and the development of the WHO Essential Medicines Library. It continues to present a summary of the Committee's considerations and justifications for additions and changes to the Model List, including its recommendations. Annexes to the main report include the revised version of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (the 13th) and a list of all items on the Model List sorted according to their 5-level Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification codes.
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Rheumatic heart disease poses a major challenge to public health and is the most prevalent heart disease in children. The major determinants of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, poor housing, and a shortage of health-care resources. Although cost-effective strategies for the prevention and control of these diseases are available, they remain underutilized in most developing countries. ⋯ The present report provides practical recommendations for an evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. It also provides practical guidance for implementing cost-effective programmes for controlling these diseases. The report will be of interest to clinicians, policy-makers and public-health professionals.