Radiology in Global Health

Book excerpt: The World Health Organization stated that approximately two-thirds of the world’s population lacks adequate access to medical imaging. The scarcity of imaging services in developing regions contributes to a widening disparity of health care and limits global public health programs that require imaging. Radiology is an important component of many global health programs, including those that address tuberculosis, AIDS-related disease, trauma, occupational and environmental exposures, breast cancer screening, and maternal-infant health care. There is a growing need for medical imaging in global health efforts and humanitarian outreach, particularly as an increasing number of academic, government, and non-governmental organizations expand delivery of health care to disadvantaged people worldwide. To systematically deploy clinical imaging services to low-resource settings requires contributions from a variety of disciplines such as clinical radiology, epidemiology, public health, finance, radiation physics, information technology, engineering, and others. This book will review critical concepts for those interested in managing, establishing, or participating in a medical imaging program for resource-limited environments and diverse cross-cultural contexts undergoing imaging technology adaptation.