The Data We Have…

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a global incidence of 140,000 children affected yearly by noma and a prevalence of 770,000 noma survivors worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, noma incidence may range between 2-4 cases to 7-14 cases per 10,000 children under 6 (Bourgeois et al). Yet, the disease is not confined to this region. Srour et al. conclude, ‘it is likely that [noma] is much more frequent in remote Asian rural communities than is currently appreciated’. Historically noma was present in Europe and North America up until the beginning of the 20th century, with a notable resurgence in concentration camps during World War II (Marck).

… the Data We Need!

Unquestionably, the data we currently have access to paints a bleak picture of the disease. Noma is a highly deadly disease with mortality and morbidity rates which are far greater than those of many other diseases that are formally included in the WHO list of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Yet, the existing evidence on noma’s geographical distribution, prevalence, incidence, mortality, and treatment/remission/cure is sparse, scattered, and often difficult to identify, with substantial parts of it decades old.

A vicious circle therefore ensues. Due to the lack of an accurate estimation of noma’s global burden, a cause of substantial human health and life loss may be largely neglected and unaddressed by governmental and international efforts. Lack of up-to-date epidemiological data on noma and the absence of a systematic overview of the existing evidence base have been highlighted as main barriers to advancing advocacy for the inclusion of noma in the WHO list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (Geneva Health Forum 2018)

It is here where the Noma Project’s first research pillar takes shape: it will establish noma’s epidemiology & global burden.