Analgesic Treatment Approach for Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Narrative Review.

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is an entity derived from peripheral nerve damage that occurs during the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which manifests itself through pain with neuropathic characteristics. This can prove to be very difficult to manage in the chronic stages of disease reappearance. There currently exists a multitude of treatment alternatives for PHN, however, prevention through the early initiation of antiviral regimens is vital. There are various pharmacological options available, but it is important to individualize each patient to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse effects. Interventional procedures have become a cornerstone in difficult-to-manage cases, and have shown promising outcomes when used in a multimodal approach by experienced specialists. It is necessary to make an objective diagnosis of PHN and start early treatment. Additionally there is current evidence that vouches for interventional therapies as well as individualization, with a clear establishment of therapeutic objectives according to the needs of each patient.

Estimating mortality and disability in Peru before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of the Disease Study 2019.

Background: Estimating and analyzing trends and patterns of health loss are essential to promote efficient resource allocation and improve Peru's healthcare system performance. Methods: Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (2019), we assessed mortality and disability in Peru from 1990 to 2019. We report demographic and epidemiologic trends in terms of population, life expectancy at birth (LE), mortality, incidence, prevalence, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) caused by the major diseases and risk factors in Peru. Finally, we compared Peru with 16 countries in the Latin American (LA) region. Results: The Peruvian population reached 33.9 million inhabitants (49.9% women) in 2019. From 1990 to 2019, LE at birth increased from 69.2 (95% uncertainty interval 67.8-70.3) to 80.3 (77.2-83.2) years. This increase was driven by the decline in under-5 mortality (-80.7%) and mortality from infectious diseases in older age groups (+60 years old). The number of DALYs in 1990 was 9.2 million (8.5-10.1) and reached 7.5 million (6.1-9.0) in 2019. The proportion of DALYs due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increased from 38.2% in 1990 to 67.9% in 2019. The all-ages and age-standardized DALYs rates and YLLs rates decreased, but YLDs rates remained constant. In 2019, the leading causes of DALYs were neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections (LRIs), ischemic heart disease, road injuries, and low back pain. The leading risk factors associated with DALYs in 2019 were undernutrition, high body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and air pollution. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Peru experienced one of the highest LRIs-DALYs rates in the LA region. Conclusion: In the last three decades, Peru experienced significant improvements in LE and child survival and an increase in the burden of NCDs and associated disability. The Peruvian healthcare system must be redesigned to respond to this epidemiological transition. The new design should aim to reduce premature deaths and maintain healthy longevity, focusing on effective coverage and treatment of NCDs and reducing and managing the related disability.

Peru - Progress in health and sciences in 200 years of independence.

Peru celebrates 200 years of independence in 2021. Over this period of independent life, and despite the turbulent socio-political scenarios, from internal armed conflict to economic crisis to political instability over the last 40 years, Peru has experienced major changes on its epidemiological and population health profile. Major advancements in maternal and child health as well as in communicable diseases have been achieved in recent decades, and today Peru faces an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases including mental health conditions. In terms of the configuration of the public health system, Peru has also strived to secure country-wide optimal health care, struggling in particular to improve primary health care and intercultural services. The science and technology infrastructure has also evolved, although the need for substantial investments remains if advancing science is to be a national priority. Climate change will also bring significant challenges to population health given Peru's geographical and microclimates diversity. Looking back over the 200-years of independence, we present a summary of key advances in selected health-related fields, thus serving as the basis for reflections on pending agendas and future challenges, in order to look forward to ensuring the future health and wellbeing of the Peruvian population. Resumen translated abstract: El Perú cumple 200 años de independencia en 2021. Durante estos dos siglos de vida independiente, junto con periodos sociales y políticos turbulentos, incluyendo un conflicto armado interno, hiperinflación y la inestabilidad política de los últimos 40 años, el Perú ha experimentado importantes cambios en su perfil epidemiológico con repercusiones directas en la salud de la población. En las últimas décadas, los indicadores de salud materno-infantil y de las enfermedades transmisibles muestran mejoría importante, pero el país se enfrenta de manera simultánea a una carga cada vez mayor de enfermedades no transmisibles y de salud mental. En cuanto a los sistemas de salud pública, se han realizado esfuerzos por aumentar la cobertura y calidad de la atención de salud en todo el país, apostándose en particular por mejorar la atención primaria. La ciencia y tecnología relacionadas con la salud también han mejorado, aunque si se quiere que la ciencia sea una prioridad nacional, son necesarias inversiones sustanciales. El cambio climático traerá importantes desafíos para la salud de la población, dada la diversidad geográfica y de microclimas del país. Para conmemorar los 200 años de vida independiente del Perú, presentamos un resumen de avances clave en diversas áreas y temas relacionados con la salud. Este repaso sirve como base para reflexionar sobre agendas y desafíos pendientes y futuros, con el fin de asegurar la salud y el bienestar de la población peruana en las próximas décadas.

Bridging research integrity and global health epidemiology (BRIDGE) guidelines: explanation and elaboration.

Over the past decade, two movements have profoundly changed the environment in which global health epidemiologists work: research integrity and research fairness. Both ought to be equally nurtured by global health epidemiologists who aim to produce high quality impactful research. Yet bridging between these two aspirations can lead to practical and ethical dilemmas. In the light of these reflections we have proposed the BRIDGE guidelines for the conduct of fair global health epidemiology, targeted at stakeholders involved in the commissioning, conduct, appraisal and publication of global health research. The guidelines follow the conduct of a study chronologically from the early stages of study preparation until the dissemination and communication of findings. They can be used as a checklist by research teams, funders and other stakeholders to ensure that a study is conducted in line with both research integrity and research fairness principles. In this paper we offer a detailed explanation for each item of the BRIDGE guidelines. We have focused on practical implementation issues, making this document most of interest to those who are actually conducting the epidemiological work.

Bridging research integrity and global health epidemiology (BRIDGE) statement: guidelines for good epidemiological practice.

BACKGROUND: Research integrity and research fairness have gained considerable momentum in the past decade and have direct implications for global health epidemiology. Research integrity and research fairness principles should be equally nurtured to produce high-quality impactful research-but bridging the two can lead to practical and ethical dilemmas. In order to provide practical guidance to researchers and epidemiologist, we set out to develop good epidemiological practice guidelines specifically for global health epidemiology, targeted at stakeholders involved in the commissioning, conduct, appraisal and publication of global health research. METHODS: We developed preliminary guidelines based on targeted online searches on existing best practices for epidemiological studies and sought to align these with key elements of global health research and research fairness. We validated these guidelines through a Delphi consultation study, to reach a consensus among a wide representation of stakeholders. RESULTS: A total of 45 experts provided input on the first round of e-Delphi consultation and 40 in the second. Respondents covered a range of organisations (including for example academia, ministries, NGOs, research funders, technical agencies) involved in epidemiological studies from countries around the world (Europe: 19; Africa: 10; North America: 7; Asia: 5; South-America: 3 Australia: 1). A selection of eight experts were invited for a face-to-face meeting. The final guidelines consist of a set of 6 standards and 42 accompanying criteria including study preparation, protocol development, data collection, data management, data analysis, dissemination and communication. CONCLUSION: While guidelines will not by themselves guard global health from questionable and unfair research practices, they are certainly part of a concerted effort to ensure not only mutual accountability between individual researchers, their institutions and their funders but most importantly their joint accountability towards the communities they study and society at large.

Globalized research and "national science": the case of Peru.

Issues in the area of international health research are insufficiently discussed in Latin America. We examine the practices of stakeholders such as the state and the academic community regarding research policy processes and funding sources in Peru. Our findings showed that research policy development and evaluation processes are poor in Peru, most of the country's academic research is published in English only, and researchers' access to funding is limited. Given that the relationship between local academic institutions and foreign research centers is key in developing a "national science," there is a clear need to reinforce the state's capacities for management and research oversight and implementation and to encourage the academic community to improve their institutional policies and research frameworks.

Mortality profiles in a country facing epidemiological transition: an analysis of registered data.

BACKGROUND: Sub-national analyses of causes of death and time-trends help to define public health policy priorities. They are particularly important in countries undergoing epidemiological transition like Peru. There are no studies exploring Peruvian national and regional characteristics of such epidemiological transition. We aimed to describe Peru's national and regional mortality profiles between 1996 and 2000. METHODS: Registered mortality data for the study period were corrected for under-registration following standardized methods. Main causes of death by age group and by geographical region were determined. Departmental mortality profiles were constructed to evaluate mortality transition, using 1996 data as baseline. Annual cumulative slopes for the period 1996-2000 were estimated for each department and region. RESULTS: For the study period non-communicable diseases explained more than half of all causes of death, communicable diseases more than one third, and injuries 10.8% of all deaths. Lima accounted for 32% of total population and 20% of total deaths. The Andean region, with 38% of Peru's population, accounted for half of all country deaths. Departmental mortality predominance shifted from communicable diseases in 1996 towards non-communicable diseases and injuries in 2000. Maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies and nutritional anaemia declined markedly in all departments and regions. Infectious diseases decreased in all regions except Lima. In all regions acute respiratory infections are a leading cause of death, but their proportion ranged from 9.3% in Lima and Callao to 15.3% in the Andean region. Tuberculosis and injuries ranked high in Lima and the Andean region. CONCLUSION: Peruvian mortality shows a double burden of communicable and non-communicable, with increasing importance of non-communicable diseases and injuries. This challenges national and sub-national health system performance and policy making.

[Venezuelan immigration in Peru: challenges and opportunities from a health perspective]. / La inmigración venezolana en el Perú: desafíos y oportunidades desde la perspectiva de la salud.

As a result of the political, social, and economic crisis in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, more than 700,000 people have immigrated to Peru since the second semester of 2017. In the year following the 2017 census, Peru's population grew by nearly one million, some 300,000 of them Peruvian, the rest being predominantly young Venezuelan immigrants. This article describes and analyzes the situation and health implications stemming from the fact that Peru became a migratory destination. To this end, a secondary analysis of surveys applied to the Venezuelan population in Peru was carried out. The main challenges arise from limited access to healthcare. Sexual and reproductive healthcare shows the largest deficits, below Peru's urban populations. The vulnerabilities of the Venezuelan migrant population are not detached from those already faced by Peru's poorest urban populations, whose services do not meet their needs and demands, neither in terms of coverage nor quality. However, immigration also generates opportunities, such as that represented by health professionals and technicians, who could contribute to offset the deficit generated by the emigration of thousands of Peruvian health professionals in recent decades. It is also an opportunity not to lose sight of the fact that inequalities in the right to healthcare are still challenges to inclusive development.

Resultado de la crisis política, social y económica en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, más de setecientas mil personas han inmigrado al Perú desde el segundo semestre del 2017. En el año posterior a los censos del 2017, la población en el Perú creció en cerca de un millón de habitantes, unos trescientos mil de ellos peruanos, el resto inmigrantes venezolanos, predominantemente jóvenes. En este artículo se describe y analiza la situación e implicancias para la salud del hecho que Perú se convirtiera en país de destino migratorio. Para ello, se hace el análisis secundario de encuestas aplicadas a la población venezolana en el Perú. Los desafíos principales derivan del limitado acceso a la atención en salud. La atención en salud sexual y reproductiva muestra los mayores déficits, por debajo de las poblaciones urbanas del Perú. Las vulnerabilidades de la población migrante venezolana no están al margen de las que ya afrontaban las poblaciones urbanas más pobres del Perú, cuyos servicios tampoco satisfacen sus necesidades y demandas, ni en cobertura ni en calidad. No obstante, la inmigración también genera oportunidades, como la que representan los profesionales y técnicos de la salud, que pudieran contribuir a compensar el déficit generado por la emigración de miles de profesionales de la salud peruanos/as en las últimas décadas. Oportunidad también para no perder de vista que las desigualdades en el derecho a la salud siguen siendo retos para avanzar hacia un desarrollo inclusivo.

Efectos de ejercicios especializados en la rehabilitación del esguince de tobillo grado 1 en futbolistas / Effects of specialized exercises in the rehabilitation of grade 1 ankle sprain in soccer players

Introducción: Las lesiones en los futbolistas provocan limitaciones en la movilidad osteomuscular, provocando un descanso pasivo, y por ende el no cumplimiento del principio de sistematicidad del entrenamiento; por lo cual, puede provocar abandono deportivo en casos extremos, y normalmente disminución del rendimiento. La recuperación mediante terapia requiere una valoración de su eficiencia, siendo necesario estudiar las acciones más efectivas desde el punto de vista terapéutico. Objetivo: Valorar los efectos de un proceso de intervención con ejercicios terapéuticos para la rehabilitación del esguince de tobillo grado 1 en futbolistas. Métodos: Investigación descriptiva/explicativa de orden cuasiexperimental y enfoque longitudinal (4 años de estudio), investigando a 43 futbolistas con una lesión previa en el tobillo por esguince grado 1 (Grupo 1: Experimental, Grupo 2: Control), interviniendo al grupo experimental con tres fases de tratamiento, que incluye un grupo de ejercicios físicos especializados para fortalecer y mantener las condiciones óptimas del musculo. Resultados: El grupo experimental requiere menos tiempo para recuperarse de una lesión por esguince (p ( 0,001), mientras que la reincidencia de la lesión fue menor que en el grupo control (p ( 0,019) en un periodo de cuatro años. Conclusiones: El proceso de intervención ha sido efectivo al lograse una mejor rehabilitación en la muestra experimental, en términos de prontitud en el proceso de recuperación, y en términos de disminución de las recaídas en un periodo de cuatro años. Una vez recuperado el deportista, se recomienda proseguir sistemáticamente con el proceso de fortalecimiento y prevención en las sesiones de entrenamiento, y en el hogar(AU)

Introduction: Injuries in soccer players cause limitations in musculoskeletal mobility, causing a passive rest, and therefore non-compliance with the principle of systematic training; Therefore, it can cause sports abandonment in extreme cases, and usually a decrease in performance. Recovery through therapy requires an assessment of its efficiency, and it is necessary to study the most effective actions from the therapeutic point of view. Objective: To assess the effects of an intervention process with therapeutic exercises for the rehabilitation of grade 1 ankle sprain in soccer players. Methods: Descriptive/explanatory research of quasi-experimental order and longitudinal approach (4 years of study), researching 43 soccer players with a previous ankle injury due to grade 1 sprain (Group 1: Experimental, Group 2: Control), intervening in the experimental group. with three phases of treatment, which includes a group of specialized physical exercises to strengthen and maintain optimal muscle conditions. Results: The experimental group required less time to recover from a sprain injury (p ( 0.001), while the recurrence of the injury was less than in the control group (p ( 0.019) in a period of four years. Conclusions: The intervention process has been effective in achieving better rehabilitation in the experimental sample, in terms of speed in the recovery process, and in terms of reducing relapses in a four years period. Once the athlete has recovered, it is recommended to systematically continue with the strengthening and prevention process in training sessions and at home(AU)

Global Shifts in Cardiovascular Disease, the Epidemiologic Transition, and Other Contributing Factors: Toward a New Practice of Global Health Cardiology.

One of the major drivers of change in the practice of cardiology is population change. This article discusses the current debate about epidemiologic transition paired with other ongoing transitions with direct relevance to cardiovascular conditions. Challenges specific to patterns of risk factors over time; readiness for disease surveillance and meeting global targets; health system, prevention, and treatment efforts; and physiologic traits and human-environment interactions are identified. This article concludes that a focus on the most populated regions of the world will contribute substantially to protecting the large gains in global survival and life expectancy accrued over the last decades.

Gaps in policy-relevant information on burden of disease in children: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Valid information about cause-specific child mortality and morbidity is an essential foundation for national and international health policy. We undertook a systematic review to investigate the geographical dispersion of and time trends in publication for policy-relevant information about children's health and to assess associations between the availability of reliable data and poverty. METHODS: We identified data available on Jan 1, 2001, and published since 1980, for the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children. Studies with relevant data were assessed against a set of inclusion criteria to identify those likely to provide unbiased estimates of the burden of childhood disease in the community. FINDINGS: Only 308 information units from more than 17,000 papers identified were regarded as possible unbiased sources for estimates of childhood disease burden. The geographical distribution of these information units revealed a pattern of small well-researched populations surrounded by large areas with little available information. No reliable population-based data were identified from many of the world's poorest countries, which account for about a third of all deaths of children worldwide. The number of new studies diminished over the last 10 years investigated. INTERPRETATION: The number of population-based studies yielding estimates of burden of childhood disease from less developed countries was low. The decreasing trend over time suggests reductions in research investment in this sphere. Data are especially sparse from the world's least developed countries with the highest child mortality. Guidelines are needed for the conduct of burden-of-disease studies together with an international research policy that gives increased emphasis to global equity and coverage so that knowledge can be generated from all regions of the world.

La inmigración venezolana en el Perú: desafíos y oportunidades desde la perspectiva de la salud / Venezuelan immigration in Peru: challenges and opportunities from a health perspective

Resumen Resultado de la crisis política, social y económica en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, más de setecientas mil personas han inmigrado al Perú desde el segundo semestre del 2017. En el año posterior a los censos del 2017, la población en el Perú creció en cerca de un millón de habitantes, unos trescientos mil de ellos peruanos, el resto inmigrantes venezolanos, predominantemente jóvenes. En este artículo se describe y analiza la situación e implicancias para la salud del hecho que Perú se convirtiera en país de destino migratorio. Para ello, se hace el análisis secundario de encuestas aplicadas a la población venezolana en el Perú. Los desafíos principales derivan del limitado acceso a la atención en salud. La atención en salud sexual y reproductiva muestra los mayores déficits, por debajo de las poblaciones urbanas del Perú. Las vulnerabilidades de la población migrante venezolana no están al margen de las que ya afrontaban las poblaciones urbanas más pobres del Perú, cuyos servicios tampoco satisfacen sus necesidades y demandas, ni en cobertura ni en calidad. No obstante, la inmigración también genera oportunidades, como la que representan los profesionales y técnicos de la salud, que pudieran contribuir a compensar el déficit generado por la emigración de miles de profesionales de la salud peruanos/as en las últimas décadas. Oportunidad también para no perder de vista que las desigualdades en el derecho a la salud siguen siendo retos para avanzar hacia un desarrollo inclusivo.

ABSTRACT As a result of the political, social, and economic crisis in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, more than 700,000 people have immigrated to Peru since the second semester of 2017. In the year following the 2017 census, Peru's population grew by nearly one million, some 300,000 of them Peruvian, the rest being predominantly young Venezuelan immigrants. This article describes and analyzes the situation and health implications stemming from the fact that Peru became a migratory destination. To this end, a secondary analysis of surveys applied to the Venezuelan population in Peru was carried out. The main challenges arise from limited access to healthcare. Sexual and reproductive healthcare shows the largest deficits, below Peru's urban populations. The vulnerabilities of the Venezuelan migrant population are not detached from those already faced by Peru's poorest urban populations, whose services do not meet their needs and demands, neither in terms of coverage nor quality. However, immigration also generates opportunities, such as that represented by health professionals and technicians, who could contribute to offset the deficit generated by the emigration of thousands of Peruvian health professionals in recent decades. It is also an opportunity not to lose sight of the fact that inequalities in the right to healthcare are still challenges to inclusive development.

[Adolescent pregnancy in Peru: its current situation and implications for public policies]. / El embarazo adolescente en el Perú: situación actual e implicancias para las políticas públicas.

This article ellaborates on the relation between peruvian pregnant adolescents of 15 to 19 years of age and poverty, malnutrition and social exclusion, proposing alternatives for their medical care within the frame of social programs and the fight against poverty. Likewise, it describes and analyzes the trends recorded over the past 20 years, emphasizing the multiple and persistent inequalities. Over this period, prevalences have not changed substantially, despite a slight drop recorded in the rural area. First, the article analyzes these trends in the light of their closest determinants, including changes in teenagers'exposure to the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. Then, it describes the impact this situation has on adolescents and their children, as well as the economic and labour impacts. Finally, it examines the experiences of countries with social programs similar to the one in Peru, highlighting those which could be implemented in our country.

Nuevas áreas de vida ­ Revisión muerte súbita 2018 / New areas of life ­ Sudden death review 2018

Una de cada cinco muertes en adultos en países desarrollados se debe a causas cardiovasculares; la mitad de esas muertes se produce de forma súbita y un gran porcentaje en el ámbito extrahospitalario. Las medidas de prevención se dividen en: aquellas destinadas a prevenir en primer lugar que el evento de muerte súbita cardíaca suceda, y aquellas cuyo objetivo es actuar en el momento en que el evento de muerte súbita está sucediendo. Las primeras tienen como objetivo disminuir las principales causas de muerte súbita en países desarrollados: las cardiopatías estructurales (cuya principal causa es la enfermedad coronaria). En este sentido, con el fin de intentar paliar el desarrollo de una cardiopatía que predisponga a la aparición de arritmias fatales y la MSC, se implementan medidas de prevención primarias higiénico-dietéticas y farmacológicas (con el objetivo de disminuir y el controlar los factores de riesgo) y, en aquellos con enfermedad cardiovascular ya establecida, se implementan las estrategias secundarias farmacológicas y/o quirúrgicas (revascularización, reemplazo valvular, etc.). El segundo abordaje surge del hecho de que, a pesar de todas estas medidas, un gran número de pacientes presentará eventos arrítmicos en el ámbito extrahospitalario (MSCEH), ya sea porque aunque recibieron el tratamiento óptimo presentan aún un elevado riesgo de MSC, porque no fueron diagnosticados a tiempo o porque a pesar de haber hecho estudios complementarios el diagnóstico es muy dificultoso. Existen dos estrategias: la primera son los dispositivos de cardiodesfibrilación implantables (o, más recientes, los chalecos vestibles). Estos aparatos están indicados para una población seleccionada, sea por haber presentado ya un episodio de muerte súbita abortado, o por presentar una cardiopatía (estructural o genética) que predisponga a una mayor probabilidad de sufrir un evento. La segunda estrategia es la educación y el desarrollo de programas de salud pública que permitan capacitar a la población general en la realización de RCP y el uso de desfibriladores automáticos externos (DEAs), los cuales deberían estar disponibles en cualquier lugar público. Múltiples estudios demostraron que el acceso de la población general al aprendizaje de maniobras de RCP sencillas y pragmáticas y la presencia de DEAs se traduce en un gran aumento de sobrevida sin secuelas en víctimas de MSCEH. (AU)

One of every five deaths in adults is due to cardiovascular causes, in developed countries, and half of these deaths will occur suddenly. A large percentage occur in the out of hospital setting, so measures to prevent it are divided into: those designed to prevent, in the first place, the sudden cardiac death event from happening and those whose purpose is to act when the sudden death event that has already occurred and it´s ongoing. The first aims to reduce the main causes of sudden death in developed countries: structural heart disease (with coronary heart disease as its main cause). In this regard, with the purpose to mitigate the development of a heart disease that predisposes the occurrence of fatal arrhythmias and SCD, we have primary prevention measures, like healthy life style conduct with or without pharmacological treatment, (whose objective is the reduction and control of cardiovascular risk factors) and, in those with cardiovascular disease already established, there is an implementation of pharmacological and / or surgical strategies (Revascularization, valve replacement, etc.). The second objective arises from the fact that, despite all these preventive and therapeutic measures, a large number of patients will present out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) either because although they received optimal treatment they still remain in high risk of SCD, even because they were not diagnosed on time, or because despite having complementary studies made the diagnosis is very difficult. There are two well strategies: the first are implantable cardio-defibrillation devices (or, more recently, wearable vests). These are indicated for a selected population, either because they have already presented an episode of sudden aborted death, or because they have heart disease (structural or genetic), which predisposes to a greater probability of suffering an event. The second strategy is the education and development of public health programs that enable the general population to be trained in CPR and the use of external automatic defibrillators. (AEDs) should be available in any public place. Multiple studies showed that access to the general population for learning simple and pragmatic CPR maneuvers and the presence of AEDs is making an impact on a significant increase in survival without consequences in OHCA victims. (AU)

Changing care and prevention needs for global public health: in pursuit of a comprehensive perspective.

An assessment of changing care and prevention needs in the framework of global public health should not be just a technical exercise of 'standard' demographic and epidemiological analysis; rather, it should also involve a reflection on the conditions of the production of such knowledge. In this article, we start by outlining some key dimensions of change in demographic and epidemiological patterns as well as their drivers; second, we address in more depth the question of whether current scientific practice is generating all the questions needed to improve global health in the coming years, and define potentially effective strategies for positive change. Significant demographic changes (i.e., reductions in earlier mortality and fertility; ageing and urbanisation) are leading to the emergence of chronic diseases in the Global South, as well, although patterns are very diverse, and early mortality and disability will still remain high for a few decades in certain areas. Such inequality in health patterns seems to parallel globalisation processes, and results from the effects of social and structural determinants. To better understand those relationships, we must improve our thinking about causality as well as our standard views of what constitutes 'good evidence'.