| Future health |  Opening a newspaper in the mornings these days is a pretty depressing business. Rising fuel prices are stimulating higher prices generally and the use of agriculural land for biofuels is contributing to hunger around the world, as more and more people can simply no longer afford to put food on the table. Changing climates cause famine, floods and changes in the distribution of diseases as a result of rising temperatures and changing vegetation types. In the west, people continue to get fatter and fatter with the subsequent cost in lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In the developing world (god forbid that it should develop along western lines!) people are either malnourished, or, paradoxically as a result of poverty, also obese. Cigarette companies also target the developing world, and this, along with other factors, results in an increase in diseases of lifestyle in parallel with the diseases of poverty and malnutrition.
A recent World Health Organisation report predicts that in the next three decades infectious diseases will decrease around the world, but that chronic diseases of lifestyle, cancers and road traffic accidents will take an increasing toll on global populations. Perhaps the rising price of petrol will stop the increase in road traffic accidents, but there is no sign of any environmental factor that will prevent the rise of the other forms of ill health. A report today says that more than 90% of cancers are caused by environmental factors - and that this will increase in the coming decades.
In an era of unprecedented technological medical intervention it would seem that we are getting sicker and sicker. Simple prevention measures have been lost along the wayside somewhere. We need to get back to growing sufficient food to feed each community, in sufficient quantities that no-one does without or has too much, to a situation where cigarettes are unknown and alcohol is reserved for special ocassions and we walk to most places instead of driving. Perhaps that might just get us to a healthy future.
Bridget Farham Editor
https://www.bizcommunity.com
| | Headlines
MedicalWorld Bank helps Malawi to cushion rising food prices[Gregory Gondwe] The World Bank has announced plans to help Malawi cushion the impact of soaring food prices by equipping it with risk management tools. Conditions of displaced population deteriorate in South Africa Nearly three weeks after the first outbreak of violence against foreign nationals in Johannesburg, MSF continues to provide medical assistance to displaced people throughout the city. MSF has also launched new activities in response to the unrest in Cape Town last week. Relocation process exacerbates trauma of displaced people in South AfricaMSF alarmed by lack of protection of foreign nationals affected by recent violence. Executive training for women in health management can bridge the skills gap - Foundation for Professional DevelopmentAn executive training programme for women managers in the health sector will start in Pretoria in August 2008, to meet the increasing demand for skilled managers in the health care sectors in South Africa. MRC use QlikView to manage R500m budget - Duomarketing + communicationsSouth Africa's Medical Research Council (MRC) has used next-generation business intelligence tool QlikView to improve the management of its annual Government grant and its 220 contract research projects Headway on the shoulders of ACSA Disability 2008 - CVL ConsultingHeadway, a welfare organisation dedicated to offering various support programmes to survivors of Acquired Brain Injury, has announced its participation in ACSA Disability 2008. Advertisement:
Corporate Social ResponsibilityElectronics firm helps eye clinicsLG Electronics has launched a campaign to aid free eye care camps in Mozambique and Zambia. Sexually transmitted infections can devastate women - Magna CartaSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a “silent condition” that if left untreated can also have a devastating impact on a woman's health, her ability to bear children and the well being of unborn children. Beating infection at the basin - TDH CommunicationsThe dreaded cold and flu season is upon us, and while there may not yet be a cure for these diseases, there is a secret weapon for prevention, and it's much cheaper than bottles of vitamins - hand-washing. Danone Activia and WGO drive global focus on digestive health - Sabio CommunicationsWorld Digestive Health Day took place on the 29th of May. Danone and the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) created a partnership to make sure the public is fully exposed to important digestive health issues... Local Einstein can win $4000 - InZalo CommunicationsTo encourage broader participation among young South Africans in the field of bioscience research, pharmaceutical giant Merck is offering a US$4000 (R31 200) price in their Merck Young Scientist Award. Med-Lemon® Knitters to warm the dispossessed - Ogilvy PRAt its launch earlier this month, the Med-Lemon® winter campaign publicised its aim to provide over 5,000 scarves to needy township children by early July. Revitalise your body - Magna CartaNever before has there been so much talk about healthy living.
Ear, nose & throatInhalers - not all good newsResearch finds that inhaler devices are still a major hurdle in asthma and COPD treatment.
Emergency ProceduresTelecare emergency industry to be regulated in SA - IPMGTelecare emergency services in South Africa continue to be delivered under the radar and this poses a very real, potentially life threatening danger to consumers who rely on these services in emergency situations.
HIV/AIDSSOUTHERN AFRICA: Understanding infidelity"Multiple, concurrent partnerships" has become the latest catchphrase in the HIV/AIDS lexicon. New Start celebrates increase in HIV testing and counselling The Society for Family Health (SFH) and New Start today celebrated the testing of 120 000 clients to date. This number is an indication of the increase in uptake of HIV counselling and testing among South Africans. HIV a factor behind obesity?While public health experts in South Africa spent much of the last decade focusing on controlling infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and eradicating malnutrition, the growth of another public health crisis has gone almost unnoticed. Uganda: Tailoring the HIV response to fit the epidemic"One-size-fits-all" HIV programmes are leaving huge gaps in the global response, and a better understanding of each country's unique epidemic is central to successful management of the pandemic. GLOBAL: Greater access to ARVs, but much more to be doneFirst, the good news: in 2007 about a million more people in poorer countries across the globe began taking antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, bringing the total number to almost three million. The pace of providing the life-prolonging treatment has also accelerated, and an increasing number of children are receiving the medication.
Hospital GroupsThanking volunteers with a 'helping heart' - The Heart and Stroke Foundation SAIn the light of International Volunteer Week, 1 - 8 June, the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) would like to acknowledge and thank all kindhearted individuals who have volunteered their services at various fundraising events and assisted with general administration duties over the past 28 years.
Infectious diseasesNational Immunisation Awareness Week 2008The South African Medical Association (SAMA) urges South Africans to take advantage of the Department of Health's campaigns around National Immunisation Awareness Week from 3 - 9 August 2008.
Medical ResearchHow best to treat chronic pain? The jury is still outHow best to alleviate chronic pain, a leading cause of disability and employee absenteeism, continues to perplex both patients and their doctors. Turf talkHow safe is synthetic turf? Tests provide the answers. Red wine could influence aging and protect the heartResveratrol, a natural part of many foods including grapes, pomegranates, and red wine, may influence aging on a genetic level and could give protection to the heart, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLoS ONE.
Medical TechnologyX/procure stiffens Atka Pharma against competitors - Owlhurst CommunicationsPharmaceutical brand, Atka Pharma has signed with specialist electronic procurement company X/procure® for a 12 month period to launch its latest male sexual performance product. From imitators to innovators in health-related products - McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global HealthNew Brazilian medicines emerge for local health problems. The same trend is seen in India and China.
PaediatricsCongenital club foot the most common limb birth deformity - Health DiRxionsSouthern & East African black population have 2.5 times the world average incidence.
Pharmaceutical companiesPharmacovigilance in the spotlight[Ruchi Mallya] Predictive and proactive pharmacovigilance paves the road for drug safety solutions.
Public healthUK has new guidelines on drug useNew NHS guidelines on recreational drug use in nightclubs have been drafted. WHO call for total ban on tobacco advertisingThe World Health Organization (WHO) wants a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, in a bid to protect the world's 1.8 billion young people. |
| | People on the move | | | New appointments at Medscheme - more info | | More... Submit a Person | | | | |
| | News for medical professionals | | Infection could be implicated in sudden unexpected infant death
| Fall in breast cancer incidence after reduction in use of HRT in Australia
| Longer treatment with nevirapine reduces risk of HIV among infants
| HRT in the early menopause: scientific evidence and common perceptions
| | More... | | |
Print - Print any item in this newsletter.
Email - Email any item in this newsletter.
Comment - Comment on any item in this newsletter.
| 
|
| | Advertisement:
Business ServicesMOTORING CORPORATE WELLNESS BUSINESS TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT OFFICE EQUIPMENT
|
|
