A new study has led to the introduction of rapid syphilis tests in six countries, including China, Peru, Brazil, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The tests have been shown to be effective in remote areas and could save up to one million children's lives every year.
A new approach, seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), has been found to have significant public health benefits if implemented in high-risk areas. Researchers estimate that up to 11 million malaria cases and 50,000 deaths could be prevented annually with full implementation.
Researchers have found that nearly 4 out of 10 women at health facilities have a malaria infection, with an estimated 25 million pregnancies at risk each year. The new treatment combines anti-malarial and antibiotic therapy to prevent and treat these conditions simultaneously, which could save thousands of lives.
Researchers found that over 68% of participants failed to take medication daily, with young men who smoke and drink alcohol being the least likely to follow treatment. High rates of hypertension remain steady in the region, contrary to Western Europe's decline.
A systematic review of monkey studies found limited evidence for an association between social status and coronary artery disease. The study concludes that generalizing findings from monkeys to human societies is not warranted due to methodological limitations.
A pioneering new project aims to save thousands of lives in Burkina Faso through innovative radio health messages. The campaign targets pregnant women and new mothers to reduce child mortality rates before the age of five, with a predicted impact of 15-20% reduction in childhood mortality.
Researchers have identified key genes responsible for drug resistance in African trypanosomes, leading to a better understanding of how effective treatments work. This knowledge could lead to the development of new diagnostics and therapies to tackle the disease.
Countries recovering from war are at risk of being left without effective policies to tackle noncommunicable diseases, which can lead to increased mental health problems and premature deaths. Experts argue that a strong policy response is necessary to address the growing burden of NCDs in post-conflict countries.
Researchers at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine discover that malaria patients' immune system is selectively weakened, making them more susceptible to fatal salmonella infections. The team identifies Tin Protoporphyrin as a potential candidate for prevention, but further testing is needed.
A recent study found that up to three quarters of elderly people in parts of India have vitamin C deficiency, primarily due to a low intake of fruit and vegetables. The study highlights the need to improve nutrition and discourage tobacco use among the elderly population.
A study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that children are most physically active on long summer days, with daylight being the key factor. The researchers suggest that moving clocks forward all year round could be an effective way to promote child physical activity.
The UK Flusurvey, launched by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, will track seasonal flu spread across Britain and compare data with European countries. The online survey aims to detect flu epidemics early and provide insights into vaccine effectiveness.
A large-scale community-randomized trial found that community counseling reduced TB prevalence and child infections by half, with costs under $1 per person per year. The ZAMSTAR project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, improved TB testing and service integration in communities.
The study identified key success factors for achieving good health at low cost, including leadership, capacity, continuity, and taking context into account. Key findings include improved maternal mortality rates, increased life expectancy, and universal healthcare coverage in several study countries.
A UK-wide study found one in six mobile phones are contaminated with faecal matter, highlighting poor handwashing habits. The study also revealed a strong North-South divide in bacterial levels, with Glasgow having the highest levels on phones and hands.
A $37 million grant has been awarded to test a combination prevention strategy to prevent HIV in African countries. The PopART project aims to reduce new HIV infections through community-wide testing, medical circumcision, and immediate ART for those testing positive.
A trial found that sending motivational and supportive text messages to smokers doubled their chances of quitting at six months. The study, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, showed that continuous abstinence rates were significantly increased in participants who received personalized text messages.
A study on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) was hindered by the Coroners' Society of England and Wales' refusal to collect tissue from autopsies. The authors argue that this decision ignored coroners' moral obligation to protect public health. A wider review of coroners' roles in public health measures is called for.
A study published in The Lancet highlights Brazil's success in reducing the burden of infectious diseases, but notes that some programs have failed to control diseases like dengue fever. Despite this, experts argue that investing in human and social capital has led to sustainable economic growth and improved health outcomes.
Researchers found that a year of healthy life could be saved for around the price of filling up an average family car in the UK. Administering tranexamic acid within three hours of injury saves estimated 755,000 life years per 1,000 bleeding trauma patients in the UK, Tanzania, and India.
A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that statin users had a 33% lower risk of death from pneumonia compared to non-statin users. This protective effect was observed among patients who were already taking statins when they developed pneumonia.
A new study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found no significant impact of the Great Depression on mortality rates in urban US populations. The study suggests that government responses to economic crises can affect health outcomes, with protective effects observed during periods like the New Deal.
Researchers argue that current rules requiring written consent in emergency situations are causing unnecessary delays, resulting in patients missing out on life-saving treatments. The study found that up to one sixth of patients in a major clinical trial were denied treatment due to these regulations.
Life expectancy is increasing in the UK and Europe, driven by declines in cardiovascular disease deaths. However, the East-West gap remains entrenched, and many questions about the drivers of these trends remain unanswered.
A combination of IPTc and insecticide-treated bednets can substantially reduce the incidence of severe malaria in children, with a protective efficacy of up to 70%. IPTc also reduced the prevalence of malaria infection at the end of the transmission season by 73%.
A study published in The Lancet found that low-dose aspirin reduces mortality from various cancers, including oesophagus, lung, stomach, pancreas, and possibly brain cancer, by 20-30% regardless of dose or smoking status. Benefit is seen with increasing age and may require at least five years of use for significant impact.
The amount of development aid for maternal, newborn and child health in developing countries doubled between 2003 and 2008. However, the aid was not highly targeted to countries with the highest rates of maternal and child mortality, resulting in some recipient countries receiving far more aid per birth and per child than others.
The new atlas identifies areas with urgent need for mass treatment and predicts infection risk in data-lacking areas. The Global Atlas of Helminth Infections aims to improve sanitation and health education to control worm infections.
A study found that infection with malaria parasites during antibiotic treatment developed a vaccine-like immunity against re-infection. Antibiotics can prevent malaria parasite replication in the liver, allowing the immune system to mount a robust defense against future infections.
A new trial shows that administering tranexamic acid to patients with recent, severe bleeding injuries can reduce death rates without increasing adverse effects. The study estimates that up to 100,000 deaths could be prevented annually worldwide.
A recent study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that British Indian children have substantially lower rates of mental health disorders, with only 3.7% affected compared to 10.0% for White children. This advantage was attributed to factors such as two-parent households and higher academic abilities, suggesting a rea...
A recent trial in Ghana found that vitamin A supplementation did not reduce maternal mortality, contradicting previous findings from a Nepalese trial. The study showed similar rates of pregnancy-related and all-cause female mortality between the intervention and control groups.
A large trial found no link between fish oil supplements and improved cognitive function in people aged 70-80 years. High intakes of omega-3 fatty acids were observed after two years, but no benefits for memory or concentration were detected.
Scientists have confirmed that ovale malaria is caused by two distinct but similar species of parasite. The discovery was made using DNA technology, revealing the parasite's unique characteristics and potential impact on global health.
A systematic review found that neonatal and infant circumcision by trained staff rarely results in problems, with relatively minor adverse events being low among infants under one year old. However, complications are more common when performed by inexperienced providers or with subpar equipment.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has received a $100,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to trace its alumni and build an influential network of global health practitioners. The project aims to identify current leaders in low- and middle-income countries and strengthen capacity building.
A study found that men tend to react better to messages invoking disgust, while women respond to reminders. Handwashing rates were higher among women, with 64% washing their hands compared to 32% of men.
A systematic review of over 50,000 papers found no evidence that organically produced foods are nutritionally superior to conventionally produced food. Organic foods have comparable nutrient content to conventionally produced foods, with only minor differences detected.
A new study suggests that financial crises can lead to rises in suicides and homicides, but government investments in labour market protections could mitigate these effects. The research estimates that soaring stress brought on by job losses could prompt a rise in suicide rates, particularly in European Union countries.
A new international partnership aims to improve African institutions' capacity to detect infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. The Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) will develop courses, research skills, and biosafety systems to tackle major livestock and wildlife diseases.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has won the 2009 Gates Award for Global Health, recognizing its commitment to leadership and cutting-edge research in resource-poor settings. The award will enable the school to expand its distance learning programme and provide scholarships.
A study found that a lean population would consume 20% less food and produce fewer greenhouse gases than an obese one. Staying slim also leads to lower transport-related emissions.
Researchers have discovered different resistance mutations in east and west Africa, suggesting varying effectiveness of sulfadoxine as an antimalarial drug. Coordinating malaria control efforts across socioeconomically linked areas may be more effective in reducing the malaria burden across the continent.
Researchers found that within-household transmission of trachoma is more efficient than community transmission, accounting for almost three quarters of new infections. Treating all infected household members during mass antibiotic administration can prevent rapid re-infection and slow community spread.
Current government programmes targeting young people at risk of drug misuse may be too individual-focused and neglect the importance of peer pressure. Detached, street-based youth work has been shown to be more effective in reaching those most at-risk, as it works with young people in their existing friendship groups.
Mass privatisation programmes coincided with large increases in male mortality in some countries. The study found a 12.8% rise in short-term adult male mortality rates after implementation of mass privatisation, mainly attributed to unemployment and stress.
The RTS, S/AS01E malaria vaccine has shown strong immune response and reduced clinical malaria incidence in children aged 5-17 months. The vaccine's efficacy is being recommended to progress to Phase 3 trials.
A study found that ACTs could reduce malaria transmission by up to 53% in areas of low transmission, compared to 21% in high transmission areas. Long-acting antimalarial regimens may be needed in high transmission settings to achieve significant reductions.
A cross-sectional survey in northern Uganda found that IDPs experience negative effects on physical and mental health due to factors like gender, age, income, distance from home areas, food security, and sense of safety. The study also highlights the importance of emotional support using family ties for better mental health.
The incidence of malaria has fallen dramatically in The Gambia over the past five years, with significant decreases in malaria-positive slides and admissions. Improved measures to prevent malaria, including increased use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, are believed to be major contributors to this decline.