Diarrheal Disease

Articles tagged with "Diarrheal Disease".

Fifty Years of Oral Rehydration Therapy: The Solution Is Still Simple

Tags: Oral Rehydration, Global Health, Diarrheal Disease, Lancet Perspective

October 13, 2025

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) has saved an estimated 70 million lives since its adoption by WHO in the 1970s. This Lancet perspective revisits its origins, celebrates the science behind it, and reminds us that the simplest solutions often have the most profound impact. Half a century later, ORT remains a cornerstone of global health.

Key Takeaways:

✔ ORT has saved more lives than any single medical therapy in history.
✔ Annual child deaths from diarrhea fell from over 5 million to under 500,000.
✔ The core formula remains nearly unchanged since the 1970s.
✔ Education, access, and continued advocacy keep it relevant today.

The Global Burden of Acute Diarrheal Disease: What Surveillance Shows

Tags: Diarrheal Disease, Epidemiology, Oral Rehydration, Global Health

October 13, 2025

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

Before oral rehydration therapy was introduced, acute diarrheal disease killed millions each year—mostly infants and children. This WHO surveillance review quantified that burden and made the case for a global rehydration strategy. ORT didn’t just save lives—it reshaped the map of child mortality.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Acute diarrheal disease was once among the top three causes of global mortality.
✔ Children under five accounted for the vast majority of deaths.
✔ The introduction of ORT led to a rapid and sustained drop in global mortality.
✔ Surveillance data guided both WHO policy and ORT distribution programs.

Status of Oral Rehydration Therapy in Bangladesh: How Widely Is It Used?

Tags: Oral Rehydration, Bangladesh, Public Health, Diarrheal Disease

October 13, 2025

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

Fifty years after the first trials, oral rehydration therapy remains one of Bangladesh’s most powerful public health tools. This national survey revealed that while most households recognize ORT, barriers such as access, cost perception, and knowledge gaps still limit universal use. It shows that scientific breakthroughs require sustained public health education to realize their full potential.

Key Takeaways:

✔ ORT use was widespread but not universal, even decades after introduction.
✔ Knowledge of correct preparation correlated with education and rural outreach.
✔ Socioeconomic barriers, not skepticism, were the main limiting factors.
✔ Bangladesh remains a model for national ORT programs worldwide.