Martin Meltzer

Abstract Kidney failure is the most advanced stage of chronic kidney disease, at which point patients require kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in the form of kidney transplant or lifelong dialysis to survive. Although many governments seek to provide KRT for patients with kidney failure under publicly funded health schemes, KRT requires considerable financial and human resources, which may need to be diverted from other health programmes.

Abstract Case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) are public health measures that aim to break the chain of pathogen transmission. Changes in viral characteristics of COVID-19 variants have likely affected the effectiveness of CICT programs. We estimated and compared the cases averted in Vermont when the original COVID-19 strain circulated (Nov. 25, 2020–Jan. 19, 2021) with two periods when the Delta strain dominated (Aug. 1–Sept. 25, 2021, and Sept. 26–Nov. 20, 2021).

ABSTRACT In Zambia limited access to adequate water and sanitation is a key developmental challenge, particularly for rapidly expanding peri-urban areas. During 2016–2017, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted among 12,500 households representing ~60,000 individuals to assess the burden of household diarrheal and respiratory disease and to measure water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) characteristics in Lusaka, Zambia.