BURDEN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Subject overview

This symposium is focused on the potential advancements which could improve spine care in underserved communities. In developed countries spine disorders is considered a burden expressed as cost to the health system and lost working days/disability. In emerging countries, the level of care is very low or non-existent, and one of the causes of loss of quality of life leading to poverty. Ignorance, cultural and financial problems as well as geographical and political aspects are reasons that limit people’s access to care which deserve serious attention.

Symposium Objective

The aims are to highlight the disparity in access to spine care and how the lack of spine care in underserved communities contribute to poverty and ineffective workforce, to identify and highlight how the quality of spine care can be improved and to discuss strategies improved access to basic (and advancements) spine care in these communities.

Topics Highlights

1. Problem definition and associated burden
2. Challenges uncovered in underdeveloped regions
3. Viable options and strategies and what we learned from the world
4. Developing long term region specific realistic goals