Global Health - Ukraine

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Smoking is epidemic in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. Along with excessive alcohol consumption, smoking is the major contributor to premature death. In 2009 and 2010, CDC, along with the Ministry of Health and WHO, led the conduct and analysis of the first Global Adult Tobacco Survey in Ukraine, which found that 29 % of Ukrainian adults were currently smokers, including 50% of adult men and 11.3% of adult women. These data have helped the GOU develop a program of anti-smoking public health measures.

CDC works with the WHO Regional Office for Europe to provide immunization technical and laboratory assistance to the Ukrainian MoH. Although the European Region eliminated polio in 2002, there have been poliovirus importations that have led to outbreaks. To prevent an outbreak in Ukraine, CDC has provided assistance through the Stop the Transmission of Polio program and recommends continued implementation vaccination campaigns. CDC also supports Ukraine measles and rubella elimination activities by providing assistance with the analysis of epidemiologic data, surveillance reviews, and immunization program reviews. CDC, along with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, offered assistance to the MoH to respond to the current large-scale measles outbreak that includes over 5,000 cases as of March 2012. CDC will continue to provide technical assistance to ensure Ukraine remains polio-free and to help achieve measles and rubella elimination and strengthen the routine immunization program.

Eastern Europe has had the highest increase in prevalence of any regional HIV epidemic and the epidemic in Ukraine is the most severe in the region with more than 300,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS. In collaboration with the international community, Ukraine’s civil society and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) have developed a robust prevention response. In addition, the Government of Ukraine (GOU) has increased the provision of antiretroviral treatment (ART) services. The Ukrainian AIDS Center (UAC) has become the first GOU institution to join the NGOs as a Global Fund principal recipient. As a key partner agency for the U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC is building the capacity of GOU institutions by improving the information used for planning HIV control and treatment measures and improving the quality of laboratory testing. UAC staff are being trained to better fulfill their new responsibilities of collecting and using data to guide the epidemic response. CDC staff are working with GOU laboratory leadership to develop programs to improve laboratory testing and quality control guidelines. These programs are designed to expand the training of laboratory workers, improve training for the provision of ART, and improve coordination of HIV and tuberculosis services in two regions. Additional programs are being developed to make information more accessible to decision-makers that will inform policy decisions and improve prevention, care, and treatment services, including the safety of blood products.

CDC is working with Ukraine to improve their ability to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats.  This work helps meet the U.S. commitment to assist at least 31 countries in reaching the targets outlined in the Global Health Security Agenda. CDC’s extensive global health presence and experience are critical to achieving these targets.