Prevalence of Malaria and Hb E in Northeast India: An Econo-genomics Study

R. Sarada (), B. K. Misra () and T. Vasulu ()
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R. Sarada: North-Eastern Hill University
B. K. Misra: North-Eastern Hill University
T. Vasulu: BAU, Indian Statistical Institute

Chapter Chapter 10 in Issues on Health and Healthcare in India, 2018, pp 179-212 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Malaria and Hb E are endemic in some regions of northeast India and the rate of prevalence varies among populations and between regions. Of the total burden, malaria and its mortality in northeastern states of India contribute 10% of malaria incidence and 20% of deaths and the frequency of Hb E varies from 10% to more than 50%. Apart from other reasons, genetic causes play a major role in the manifestation of the disease. Both are a major public health hazard issues with implications for economic, social and administrative problems to the state and the nation. To be able to minimise the economic burden of these health problems, it is necessary to understand the genetic basis of these traits. Genetic basis of diseases and health economics is an emerging area discussed under the purview of ‘econo-genomics’. Perhaps northeast region is one of the best examples that give us scope to get into the study of econo-genomics. Apart from health and hygiene, the variable distribution of malaria could be due to differential susceptibility attributed primarily to genetic causes. Some specific regional populations are more susceptible to malaria where some regional populations show resistance to malaria. These are little investigated among the regional populations and in other parts of India. It is known that the genetic traits like Hb E and G6PD deficiency are involved in the protection against malarial infection that might explain the differential prevalence of malaria in the region. Based on field studies in Meghalaya we investigated the health and genetic implications of malaria and Hb E and its social, health and other factors that manifest at the family level. Depending on the genetic status of the Hb E trait, the health (incidence of malaria) and other parameters (economic and others) vary. It is emphasised that ‘econo-genomics’ studies are important for national-level health economic planning and management of disease like malaria and Hb E.

Keywords: Malaria; Hb E; Differential susceptibility; Genetic causes; Econo-genomics; Geno-economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:isbchp:978-981-10-6104-2_10

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DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-6104-2_10

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