Initiative to estimate the Global Burden of Foodborne Diseases
Time frame, costs and outputs of the Initiative
The Initiative will operate against a 5 year time frame in order to:
- provide global estimates on the burden of Foodborne Disease (FBD) according to age, sex and WHO regions for a defined list of causative agents of microbial, parasitic, and chemical origin.
- strengthen the capacity of countries to conduct burden of FBD studies (three in every WHO region), document and map their results, and increase the number of countries having undertaken a burden of FBD study.
- encourage countries to use burden of FBD estimates for cost-effectiveness analyses of intervention and control measures.
- increase awareness of and Member States' commitment to the implementation of food safety standards.
The Initiative aims to publish:
- a Global Report and Global Atlas on FBD morbidity, disability and mortality. Both will be made accessible online and through software available to scientists in developing countries.
- a peer reviewed paper series in a high-impact journal with at least 50% of authors from developing countries.
WHO has already made a major resource investment in this project by dedicating a team of technical staff and providing starter funds. An alliance of donors has been established to raise the necessary seed funding and additional partners are sought to complement the budget to complete the Initiative's tasks. Agencies aiming at strengthening food safety systems and country capacity to reduce the burden of foodborne disease will be interested in the work of FERG.