Publications by authors named "D R Shepard"

Background/methodology: Despite progress using mass drug administration (MDA), lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a major public health issue in India. Vector control could potentially augment MDA towards LF elimination. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of MDA alone and MDA together with vector control single (VCS) modality or vector control integrated (VCI) modalities.

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Background: Colombia, which hosts over 3 million of the Venezuelan diaspora, is lauded for its progressive approach to social integration, including providing migrants access to its universal health coverage system. However, barriers to healthcare persist for both migrant and host populations, with poorly understood disparities in healthcare-seeking behaviors and associated costs. This is the first study to link healthcare-seeking behaviors with costs for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, encompassing costs of missing work or usual activities due to healthcare events.

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Background: Recent trials have confirmed the effectiveness of promising dengue control technologies - two vaccines and . These would generally be applied at the municipal level. To help local officials decide which, if any, control strategy to implement, they need affordable, timely, and accurate data on dengue burden.

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Importance: Patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) experience oral complications requiring substantial dental treatment. This treatment is commonly not reimbursed by medical insurers, presenting a potential financial burden for patients.

Objective: To characterize the dental care needs and associated cost burden for patients with HNC.

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Background: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that VT1021, a first-in-class therapeutic agent, inhibits tumor growth via stimulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and reprograms the tumor microenvironment. We recently reported data from the dose escalation part of a phase I study of VT1021 in solid tumors. Here, we report findings from the dose expansion phase of the same study.

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