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The Daily Impact: Villagers in Niger Take Stand Against FGM

PSIHealthyLives — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:17:00 +0000

May 17, 2013 An estimated 14,000 villagers from 20 communities in Niger participated in a public vow to end Female Genital Mutilation and forced underage marriage. From Reuters: Though Niger outlawed the practice in 2003, FGM and other violent treatment of young women remain prevalent among some ethnic groups in the impoverished Sahel nation, which ranks bottom of the United Nations’ world development index. At a ceremony in Makalondi, about 85 km (53 miles) west of the capital Niamey, villagers threw scissors, knives and blades into a pit in the village square which was then filled in. Participants in the ceremony, sponsored by Niger’s government and non-governmental groups including U.N. child agency UNICEF, also vowed to end forced early marriages and the removal of young girls from schools.

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The Daily Impact: Villagers in Niger Take Stand Against FGM

Hepatitis C in the USA and Europe: two problems, one solution

GHHub — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:35:53 +0000

Nearly half of Americans who test positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with an initial antibody test do not receive the follow-up RNA testing that is necessary to show whether they have recovered or have an ongoing infection. If left untreated, ongoing infection could lead to serious liver disease and death. This worrying finding comes from a new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In about 20% of cases, the body clears HCV infection unaided, but most people need treatment—typically pegylated interferon and ribavirin. About 3 million Americans are thought to have hepatitis C, but because the disorder can be asymptomatic for years, only a quarter know that they are infected. In Europe, an estimated 9 million people are infected, but only half have been diagnosed.

via Hepatitis C in the USA and Europe: two problems, one solution : The Lancet.

Why Is Psychiatry’s New Manual So Much Like The Old One?

GHHub — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:20:33 +0000

The American Psychiatric Association is about to release an updated version of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The DSM helps mental health professionals decide who has problems such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

via Why Is Psychiatry’s New Manual So Much Like The Old One? : Shots – Health News : NPR.

Citizen Scientists Map Global Emissions

GHHub — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:46 +0000

Arizona State University atmospheric scientist Kevin Gurney is mapping carbon dioxide emissions for the entire planet and he wants you to help.

via Citizen Scientists Map Global Emissions.

Influence of health rights discourses and community organizing on equitable…

GlobalizationAndHealth — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Background: The right to health is recognized as a fundamental human right. Social participation is implied in the fulfillment of health rights since Alma Ata posited its relevance for successful health programs, although a wide range of interpretations has been observed for this term. While Peruvian law recognizes community and social participation in health, it was the GFATM requirement of mixed public-civil society participation in Country Coordination Mechanisms (CCM) for proposal submission what effectively led to formal community involvement in the national response to HIV and, to a lesser extent, tuberculosis. This has not been the case, however, for other chronic diseases in Peru. This study aims to describe and compare the role of health rights discourse and community involvement in the national response to HIV, tuberculosis and cancer

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Influence of health rights discourses and community organizing on equitable…

Social and economic determinants of unequal HIV care access among people…

GlobalizationAndHealth — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Background: Equity in access to health care among people living with HIV (PLHA) has not been extensively studied in Peru despite the fact there is significant social diversity within this group. We aimed to assess the extent to which health care provision to PLHA, including ARVT, was equitable and, if appropriate, identify factors associated with lower access. Methods: We conducted a survey among adult PLHA in four cities in Peru, recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS), to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, social network size, household welfare, economic activity, use of HIV-related services including ARV treatment, and health-related out-of-pocket expenses. Results: Between September 2008 and January 2009, 863 individuals from PLHA organizations in four cities of Peru were enrolled. Median age was 35 (IQR = 29–41), and mostly male (62%)

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Social and economic determinants of unequal HIV care access among people…

The Daily Impact: India Develops Promising Rotavirus Vaccine

PSIHealthyLives — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:40:00 +0000

May 16, 2013 Phase III trials of the Rotavac Rotavirus Vaccine show that it has the potential to save thousands of lives, say scientists. From the BBC: Rotavirus causes dehydration and severe diarrhoea and spreads through contaminated hands and surfaces and is rampant in Asia and Africa. India says clinical trials show the new vaccine, Rotavac, can save the lives of thousands of children annually. An Indian manufacturer said the vaccine would cost 54 rupees ($1; £0.65). International pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Merck produce similar vaccines but each dose costs around 1,000 rupees. “This is an important scientific breakthrough against rotavirus infections, the most severe and lethal cause of childhood diarrhoea, responsible for approximately 100,000 deaths of small children in India each year,” India’s Department of Biotechnology official K Vijay Raghavan said

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The Daily Impact: India Develops Promising Rotavirus Vaccine

Austerity policy may increase child poverty, doctors say

GHHub — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:15:02 +0000

The government’s austerity policy of pruning back welfare benefits and social care could “set the country back even further” in terms of child poverty and child wellbeing, with the very poorest in society hit hardest, a landmark report from the British Medical Association says.

via Austerity policy may increase child poverty, doctors say | Society | guardian.co.uk.

UNICEF: Africa’s Child Malnutrition Costs $25 Billion Annually

GHHub — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:57:19 +0000

Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the world’s highest rates of chronic malnutrition among children. Now, the United Nations children’s agency has put a price tag on it: $25 billion a year. That’s the conclusion of a UNICEF conference on child malnutrition that wrapped up Wednesday in Paris.

via UNICEF: Africa’s Child Malnutrition Costs $25 Billion Annually.

Screening for diabetes and hypertension in a rural low income setting in…

GlobalizationAndHealth — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Background: The burdens of hypertension and diabetes are increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is important to identify patients with these conditions early in the disease process. The goal of this study, therefore, is to compare community- versus home-based screening for hypertension and diabetes in Kenya. Methods: This was a feasibility study conducted by the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program in Webuye, a town in western Kenya. Home-based (door-to-door) screening occurred in March 2010 and community-based screening in November 2011

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Screening for diabetes and hypertension in a rural low income setting in…

Favorite book of a lifetime

NYU Dev Research Institute — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:36:00 +0000

(in the category: nonfiction but not in my own field) I recently re-read a book that I first read almost 30 years ago, which I have remembered ever since as perhaps the best book I ever read. Re-reading after 30 years is a severe test. Many other books that the younger me liked have failed this test — either because they are dated or because I’ve changed. This book passed the test. The only blemish was a bad but short section on economics in the 20th century

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Favorite book of a lifetime

The GSMA Opens an Africa Office at the iHub

Erik Hersman — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:33:00 +0000

The GSMA is the global association for the world’s mobile operators. Back in 2010 when the iHub first opened, we had some of their staff who were in Kenya working out of the iHub and using the space for different meetings. They loved the vibe and makeup of the Kenyan tech community and wanted to

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The GSMA Opens an Africa Office at the iHub

Malaria: finding a preventive strategy that African countries can afford

GHHub — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:16:43 +0000

In countries where health services are fragmented, there are still ways to bridge the gap between the needs of malaria survivors with neurological impairment and the resources available

via Malaria: finding a preventive strategy that African countries can afford | Global Development Professionals Network | Guardian Professional.

Toxic Waste Exposure Widespread in Developing World

GHHub — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:13:48 +0000

Millions of people in developing countries living near toxic waste dumps are facing potentially severe mental and physical health dangers, according to a new study. The report finds the hazards posed by exposure to these chemical waste sites are comparable to those from malaria and air pollution.

via Toxic Waste Exposure Widespread in Developing World.

India Develops Lowest-Cost Vaccine to Prevent Diarrhea

GHHub — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:07:16 +0000

India says it has developed a low cost vaccine to prevent diarrhea – a disease that claims the lives of tens of thousands of infants and young children in developing countries. It is expected to be on the market by next year, and is being hailed as a significant breakthrough.

via India Develops Lowest-Cost Vaccine to Prevent Diarrhea.

Research and Innovation Urgently Needed for Improved TB Diagnosis &…

PSIHealthyLives — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:47:00 +0000

By Dr.Ya Diul Mukadi, Senior Tuberculosis Media Advisor, USAID In 1882, Dr. Robert Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. In 1952, the first combination of antibiotics was used to treat. Today, thoughout the world, most people with TB are diagnosed with the same simple microscopy method that Koch used to identify the bacteria. Additionally, almost all are treated with the same basic antibiotics that have been used since mid-20th century.

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Research and Innovation Urgently Needed for Improved TB Diagnosis &…

The Daily Impact: Taliban Ends War on Polio Vaccine Workers

PSIHealthyLives — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:46:00 +0000

May 14, 2013 The Taliban issued a statement on Monday in support of polio vaccine efforts. From the Telegraph: The announcement comes just weeks after the Afghan government launched a new campaign to immunise more than eight million children between six months and five years old throughout the country. It said it had trained 46,000 volunteers to conduct the campaign which is funded by the American aid agency USAID, the World Health Organisation and Unicef. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are the three remaining countries in the world where polio remains a serious threat, but efforts to eradicate the disease have been sabotaged by the Taliban and other Islamic militants who have assassinated immunisation volunteers in all three countries. (snip) But in a sudden U-turn the Taliban leadership issued a statement offering its support for polio eradication campaigns as long as foreigners were not involved and that all volunteers respected local Islamic culture

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The Daily Impact: Taliban Ends War on Polio Vaccine Workers

New Global Study Pinpoints Main Causes of Childhood Diarrheal Disease

GHHub — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:35:26 +0000

A new international study published today in The Lancet provides the clearest picture yet of the impact and most common causes of diarrheal diseases, the second leading killer of young children globally, after pneumonia. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) is the largest study ever conducted on diarrheal diseases in developing countries, enrolling more than 20,000 children from seven sites across Asia and Africa.

via allAfrica.com: Africa: New Global Study Pinpoints Main Causes of Childhood Diarrheal Disease (Page 1 of 2).

Brain’s Circadian Clock Disrupted in Depressed People

GHHub — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:28:33 +0000

Disrupted sleep is so commonly a symptom of depression that some of the first things doctors look for in diagnosing depression are insomnia and excessive sleeping. Now, however, scientists have observed for the first time a dysfunctional body clock in the brains of people with depression.

via Brain’s Circadian Clock Disrupted in Depressed People: Scientific American.

See-and-treat approach can rein in Cambodia’s cervical cancer death toll

GHHub — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:23:38 +0000

For Cambodia which offers no treatment for cervical cancer apart from palliative care, see-and-treat programmes could radically cut deaths and reduce the burden of disease

via See-and-treat approach can rein in Cambodia’s cervical cancer death toll | Global Development Professionals Network | Guardian Professional.