Control of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB): A Root Cause Analysis

Global Health Governance, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2010

20 Pages Posted: 10 Mar 2010 Last revised: 23 Jun 2010

See all articles by Jennifer Prah Ruger

Jennifer Prah Ruger

University of Pennsylvania - School of Social Policy & Practice; University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine

Abstract

The threat of global infectious agents has the potential to cripple national and global economies, as the outbreaks of SARS, Avian Flu, H1N1, and XDR-TB have demonstrated. This article offers a root cause analysis (RCA) of one public health case study (Speaker case of XDR-TB), pinpointing the underlying causal relationships associated with this global health problem and proposing recommendations for preventing its recurrence. An RCA approach identifies corrective actions directed at the root causes of the problem and advances them as necessary to eliminate global contagion with its major international public health risks. To my knowledge, this is the first root cause analysis of a global health problem. The reform this article proposes would be to add a standardized procedure akin to the informed consent process in clinical ethics, but within a shared health governance model. This approach, addressing infectious agents at their origins or source, is a more effective strategy to reduce uncertainty and avert global health threats.

Keywords: Root Cause Analysis, Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, Global Health

JEL Classification: L10, L1, L18

Suggested Citation

Prah Ruger, Jennifer, Control of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB): A Root Cause Analysis. Global Health Governance, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1567534

Jennifer Prah Ruger (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania - School of Social Policy & Practice ( email )

3701 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6214
United States

University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine

423 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States

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