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Health challenges in Tanzania: Context for educating health professionals

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Abstract

In this commentary we introduce the population age and gender distributions, the birth rate, and life expectancy in Tanzania's largely agricultural society and highlight the vulnerable status of mothers and children. We present underlying causes of poor health, the leading causes of Disability-Adjusted Life Years and review threats from exposure to disease, toxic substances, and injuries that require protection of populations and control efforts. We summarize health challenges posed by malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, and by new threats that may change the picture of disease and require adjustments in how training institutions prepare the health workforce.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Alex Goodell at the University of California San Francisco for drawing the figures for this commentary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), P.O. Box 65015, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Gideon Kwesigabo, Mughwira A Mwangu, Deodatus C Kakoko & Japhet Killewo

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  1. Gideon Kwesigabo
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  2. Mughwira A Mwangu
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  3. Deodatus C Kakoko
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  4. Japhet Killewo
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Additional information

Educators know they are preparing health professionals for a changing profile of threats to health. What are the main health challenges in Tanzania today, and how are they likely to change?

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Kwesigabo, G., Mwangu, M., Kakoko, D. et al. Health challenges in Tanzania: Context for educating health professionals. J Public Health Pol 33 (Suppl 1), S23–S34 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2012.47

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