| Cutting edge |  11 July was World Population Day. In the past couple of decades talking about reducing the world's population has become increasingly politically incorrect. Having children is an inalienable right, but, while at one time messages about limiting family size were common, that is not so today - even in the developing world. Perhaps in high income countries it is not surprising that limiting population size is no longer an issue, since many of them are facing declining populations and in fact, need the immigrants that they so addiduously try to keep out.
But in low income countries population growth continues to be a problem and once again, there are calls to limit family size - which has positive effects both on individual families and on nations.
But, it is all too easy for those of us who are at the higher end of the income spectrum to call for the poor to limit their families, without thinking that this is something we should also consider. In terms of ecological footprint, although the poor certainly contribute, those of use who live in big houses, drive cars, fill our swimming pools and water our gardens regularly use far more of the Earth's resources than a family of 5 or 6 in Masiphumelele or Alexandra, for example. Our resource use is huge. One of our children will use the resources of many children from a poor family.
Limiting population is a global issue - in terms of resource use, health and the general well being of the planet. Think about it.
Bridget Farham Editor
https://www.bizcommunity.com
| | Headlines
MedicalFDA orders 'black box' label on some antibioticsEarlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration ordered the makers of certain antibiotics to add a 'black box' label warning - the FDA's strongest - to alert patients of possible tendon ruptures and tendonitis. GLOBAL: A dollar more for climate change adaptation, a dollar less for healthThe decision by the Group of Eight (G8) countries to divert money from their Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funds to help poor countries adapt to climate change has been slammed. Obesity decreases sperm qualityBeing too fat can damage sperm. Sex advice for older men: "Use or lose it"A new study by researchers in Finland has some advice for older men when it comes to preserving their sexual function. Advertisement:
Chronic diseasesPatients more likely to stay on lipitor than simvastatin - Magna CartaPfizer announced recently that new statin users who took Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) were significantly more likely to stay on their medication compared to those who took simvastatin.
Ethical MedicinesCote d'Ivoire: High prices drive people to counterfeit medicinesWith a severe respiratory infection and a prescription for medicines that would cost 35,000 CFA francs (US$83) at official prices, Drissa Kone has a problem - he has no hope of raising enough money to buy the medicines.
Food crisisMillions face starvation in Ethiopia, Somalia and AfghanistanThe UN warns that drought in Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan could lead to widespread starvation.
HIV/AIDSSouth Africa: New improved PMTCT brings challengesPrince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, just outside the port city of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal Province, has one of South Africa's busiest maternity wards. About 1,200 women a month give birth here, of which about 40 percent are HIV-positive, according to figures from the antenatal clinic. Mozambique: Attitudes to HIV are changing in jailSex between prison inmates is a reality at Manica Provincial Prison, in central Mozambique, but because same-sex relations are taboo, and conjugal visits are not allowed, many HIV-positive inmates say they were infected before they were sent to the largest prison in Manica Province. HIV treatment equivalent in Africa and EuropeThe one size fits all approach to HIV treatment in Africa gives similar results to a highly individualised approach used in Switzerland.
Hospital GroupsTips for the safe and effective use of medicine - Medi-ClinicThe general association with medicine is that it helps restore us to health when we become ill. The reality is if medicine is not used correctly it can lead to serious health complications and even death. Here are some pointers to help ensure that you and your family use medication safely and effectively.
Infectious diseasesInternet used to track emerging infectious diseasesOnline news outlets, government web sites and discussion forums used to track emerging infectious diseases. Study shows H5N1 virus is adapting each time it infects a humanScientists have discovered how bird flu adapts in patients, offering a new way to monitor the disease and prevent a pandemic, according to research published in the August issue of the Journal of General Virology. Donors will pay drug industry to produce vaccines for developing countries[Tatum Anderson] A controversial new public health funding mechanism, intended to stimulate pharmaceutical companies to create vaccines for diseases that affect patients in developing countries, is close to being finalised.
Medical ResearchPumping iron reduces cardiac and cancer riskMen who maintain their muscular strength by using weights further decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Obstetrics and GynaecologyBURKINA FASO: Muslim leaders agree to promote family planningOn the eve of World Population Day, Muslim leaders agreed to promote family planning among their followers at a meeting of the country's principal Islamic organisations in the capital's main mosque.
OncologyResearchers locate, image prostate cancer as it spreads to lymph nodes [Kim Irwin] Using an engineered common cold virus, UCLA researchers delivered a genetic payload to prostate cancer cells that allowed them, using positron emission tomography (PET), to locate the diseased cells as they spread to the lymph nodes, the first place prostate cancer goes before invading other organs. Hormone therapy does not improve survival in elderly men with prostate cancerHormone therapy is no better than conservative treatment for prostate cancer in elderly men.
PaediatricsWash those hands!Research has shown that the simple step of hand washing reduces infant mortality. New vaccine to combat pneumococcal diseaseWyeth receives FDA Fast Track designation for its 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for infants and toddlers.
Pharmaceutical companiesDNA labelling for drug security?German logistics firm Movianto GmbH has developed what it considers to be the most effective protection against the infiltration of counterfeit drugs into the supply chain: DNA labelling. In a statement, the firm noted that the proportion of counterfeit products has recently been reported by the European Commission to be rapidly increasing.
Public healthBENIN: Sunshine + plastic bottle = clean waterThe government of Benin aims to dramatically increase the percentage of Beninese who can access drinking water by 2015 and one organisation, the Regional Centre for Water and Sanitation (CREPA) hopes to close the gap with a simple solution requiring little more than sunshine and a plastic bottle. Britons increasingly failing to see gaining weight as cause for concernPublic health measures to persuade people to watch their weight seem to falling on deaf ears in the UK. Community-directed interventions improve primary health careA recently-published, three-year, multi-country study demonstrates how community delivery of underutilized health interventions in an integrated manner can dramatically improve access to vital drugs and preventive treatments, particularly for malaria, in remote African communities.
Sports scienceMen risk health problems if they don't chose the right bikeMen who take up cycling in an effort to stay fit, do their bit for the environment or avoid spiralling motoring costs, could be harming their health if they don't choose the right bicycle.
Women's healthFewer gall bladder problems with HRT patchHRT through skin patch sees fewer gallbladder problems than oral administration. |
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