A study finds that eliminating smoking and solid fuel use in China could prevent millions of deaths from chronic diseases. Gradual elimination or moderate-aggressive interventions could avoid 26-31 million COPD deaths and 6.3 million lung cancer deaths by 2033.
The 'Rolling Back Malaria' partnership has announced a comprehensive plan to control and eradicate malaria, targeting short-term reduction of mortality and morbidity by half by 2010 and long-term elimination of transmission. The plan is estimated to save 4.2 million lives in Africa, but requires $62 billion in funding by 2020.
Experts warn that nations blocking humanitarian aid to their people are violating international human rights and potentially committing crimes against humanity. The authors argue that intervention is justified in cases where leaders deliberately block aid, leading to widespread death and suffering.
A study found three genes associated with an increased risk of gout, enabling the development of a genetic risk score that can predict those at highest risk. This score could facilitate early and targeted treatments, improving outcomes for individuals affected by gout.
A community-based intervention package reduced neonatal mortality by 54% and 52% in two groups, respectively. The approach targets high-risk newborn-care practices and can be applied to behaviour change along the continuum of care.
The DIRECT studies found that candesartan can reduce the incidence of retinopathy in type 1 diabetes and increase its regression in type 2 diabetes. The treatment also showed a significant reduction in risk of progression by three or more steps on the EDTRS scale.
The study found that liraglutide improved blood glucose control compared to glimepiride, with significant reductions in HbA1c levels. Participants receiving liraglutide also experienced weight loss and decreases in systolic blood pressure, making it a promising treatment for type 2 diabetes.
High-profile meeting at UN General Assembly tackles financing issues surrounding MDG 4 and 5; authors emphasize need for innovative financing to reduce maternal and child mortality. A child dies every 3 seconds, a mother every minute, the statement reads.
A systematic review suggests that over 40% of injecting drug users in nine countries are HIV positive, highlighting a major challenge to global public health. The authors estimate that there may be 15.9 million people worldwide who inject drugs.
Researchers analyzed cord blood samples of infants and siblings to identify those at high genetic risk for type 1 diabetes. A randomized controlled trial found that nasal insulin therapy did not delay or prevent the condition's development, contradicting previous mouse model results.
A new rapid screening test for HPV has shown a 90% success rate in detecting precancerous cells in women in Shanxi province, eastern China. The careHPV test is designed to be simple, affordable and easy to use, making it an effective primary screening method for cervical-cancer prevention in rural and low-resource settings.
Researchers discovered specific mutations in the JAK2 gene associated with Down's syndrome-associated acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which could lead to new treatment options. Children with this type of leukemia are younger at diagnosis and have a better prognosis when treated with JAK2 inhibitors.
Research has identified distinct pathogenic phenotypes, or endotypes, of asthma that can lead to improved classification and targeted treatment efforts. Additionally, studies have shown associations between paracetamol use in infancy, gene-environment interactions, and the risk of developing inflammatory airway disease.
A large prospective study found that rhinitis is a powerful predictor of adult-onset asthma, with non-allergic and allergic rhinitis groups showing significant increased risks. The study suggests that treating allergic rhinitis may reduce the incidence of asthma, but more research is needed to confirm this.
A study published in The Lancet found that using paracetamol in the first year of life increases the risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children aged 6-7 years. The study analyzed data from over 200,000 children across 31 countries.
A study published in The Lancet found that early childhood asthma risk factors are strongly associated with adult asthma onset. The researchers identified key factors including wheezing onset, persistent wheezing, and sensitisation to allergens as predictive of chronic asthma at age 22.
Measuring exhaled nitric oxide (NO) has no clinically significant impact on asthma control when used in conjunction with conventional treatment. Patients in the NO monitoring group received higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids, but this did not lead to better symptom control.
A new study has found that antibiotics given to pregnant women experiencing premature labor with intact membranes increased the risk of functional impairment and cerebral palsy in their children. The ORACLE Children's Study analyzed data from over 3,200 children born to mothers who received antibiotics or a placebo.
A pilot study found that comprehensive lifestyle changes increased telomerase levels by 29% and improved telomere maintenance capacity in immune system cells. This suggests a potential link between healthy habits and slower cellular aging.
The SITS-ISTR study found that alteplase was safe and effective when given 3-4.5 hours after stroke onset, similar to the traditional 3-hour treatment window. Outcome measures were comparable in both groups, with similar mortality rates, brain haemorrhage risk, and independence at 3 months.
Task-shifting from doctors to nurses and lay providers can improve primary health care coverage. Effective supervision and alternative financing structures are key to success.
A recent study confirms the importance of primary health care in addressing maternal and child deaths, HIV, and chronic diseases. The authors emphasize the need for community participation, intersectoral collaboration, and equitable access to healthcare. To achieve universal health coverage, reviving Alma-Ata's core values is crucial.
Researchers found that shorter preservice training can be just as effective as longer durations in improving child care quality. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that deploying health workers with shorter training in underserved areas could aid the scale-up of child-survival interventions.
Research highlights the importance of community involvement in primary health care, with systematic reviews identifying effective interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality. Inclusion of these evidence-based interventions can prevent up to 32% of maternal deaths and 40% of post-neonatal deaths.
The Lancet Alma-Ata Working Group emphasizes the need for strengthening primary health care infrastructure, removing user fees, and increasing community participation. To achieve 'Health for All' by 2000 and meet the Millennium Development Goals, these priorities must be addressed with substantial acceleration.
African countries are grappling with a growing number of chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases due to scale-up of antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Mortality from all-cause diseases increased by 87% between 1992 and 2005, primarily due to rising deaths from infectious disease affecting both sexes.
A combination regimen of cardiovascular drugs could avert almost 18 million deaths in 23 low-income countries for $1.10 per person. Integration of primary care approaches with public policies is crucial for effective management of chronic diseases.
Despite political instability and low income, these countries have made significant strides in child mortality reduction through comprehensive PHC packages, district management systems, and investment in primary care. Cuba's unique approach to preventive care has led to a lower child mortality rate than the US despite having a much low...
A cognitive behavioural therapy-based programme delivered by primary health workers significantly reduced maternal depression in resource-poor settings. The study also found improvements in infant health, including lower diarrheal episodes and increased vaccine completion.
The latest child mortality figures show a 27% decrease in global mortality rates for children under five since 1990. Despite progress in some low-income countries, many are not on track to meet the target of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015.
Researchers found that HPV testing with P16INK4A expression increases sensitivity for detecting high-grade precancerous cervical lesions compared to conventional cytology. This improvement comes without increasing referral to colposcopy. The study suggests using triage by P16INK4A immunostaining in HPV-positive women.
A new study found that a once-weekly diabetes treatment formulation provides better blood sugar control and weight loss compared to twice-daily dosing. Patients who received the once-weekly treatment had significantly improved HbA1c levels and greater reductions in body weight.
Two studies found that carotid angioplasty with stenting is as effective as endarterectomy in the medium term, but carries higher risk of stroke within 30 days. The average annual risk of ipsilateral stroke is 1% or less, regardless of treatment.
11 Sudanese-Canadian doctors, trained in a comprehensive programme in Canada, have returned to Southern Sudan to provide medical care, including emergency surgery and life-saving caesarean sections. They have inspired others to commit support to further their work in the region.
A paper on stress urinary incontinence treatment has been retracted from publication after an investigation found critical deficiencies in patient consent and document authenticity. Senior author Georg Bartsch denied involvement, but the study's flaws have raised concerns about research integrity.
The Lancet Editorial emphasizes the importance of independent medical assessment for hunger strikers and criticizes the lack of emphasis on impartial advice and care. Force feeding is deemed unacceptable in clinical management, and prisoners or detainees are entitled to highest clinical standards worldwide.
A new randomised study has found that biolimus-eluting stents are as effective as sirolimus-eluting stents in treating patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes. The study also showed similar effectiveness of each stent in reducing in-stent percentage diameter stenosis.
A substudy of the IBIS II trial found no significant differences in cognitive assessments between postmenopausal women receiving anastrozole and placebo, but noted more endocrine symptoms such as hot flushes in the anastrozole group.
A randomized controlled trial found that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduced mortality and hospital admission for cardiovascular reasons in patients with chronic heart failure. The study involved 357 Italian cardiology sites, with 3494 patients receiving PUFA supplements and 3481 receiving placebo.
The study found that ivabradine reduced coronary secondary outcomes, including fatal and non-fatal heart attacks by 36% and coronary revascularisation by 30%, in patients with a heart rate of above 70 bpm. Elevated heart rate was also identified as a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular death and disease.
The TRANSCEND study found that telmisartan modestly reduced cardiovascular events and hospitalizations for heart-related issues in patients with vascular disease or high-risk diabetes. The drug also had a lower rate of permanent discontinuation due to hypotension, according to the randomized controlled trial.
A randomized-controlled trial of 20,332 patients with ischaemic stroke found that anti-clotting regimens aspirin plus dipyridamole and clopidogrel showed no significant difference in reducing disability after recurrent stroke. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, also did not demonstrate neuroprotective effects.
A recent study published in The Lancet found a statistically significant association between low-dose radiation exposure and cardiovascular disease. Researchers suggest that radiation can cause damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, especially among individuals with certain non-cancer diseases.
The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health advocates for a new global agenda to address health inequities. The report calls for action-oriented policy responses, including improving daily life conditions and addressing power and money distributions.
The Australian government's tax hike on premixed spirits is unlikely to significantly reduce binge drinking rates. Consumers may switch to unmixed spirits or cheaper beverages, but the impact will be limited due to spirits' small market share.
Researchers found that aggressive treatment with at least five effective drugs can cure XDR TB, reversing the chronic features of the disease in many patients. This approach also prevents high mortality rates and further transmission of drug-resistant strains.
A 21-year-old amateur bodybuilder suffered from anabolic steroid-induced acne conglobata, leading to deep ulcerations and abscesses. Discontinuing steroid use improved skin lesions, but extensive scarring is expected to remain lifelong.
Two face transplants have shown promising results, with one patient recovering fully from a bear attack two years ago and another successfully treating a large facial tumor. The procedures involved allograft tissue transplantation and immunomodulatory drugs to prevent rejection.
Researchers developed PTC124 to bypass premature 'stop' signals in CFTR genes, allowing the protein-making machinery to function normally. The phase II trial showed improvements in chloride ion transport and lung respiratory function, offering a potential treatment for cystic fibrosis.
Concomitant zoledronic acid prevents bone loss and improves bone-mineral density in premenopausal women with breast cancer during adjuvant endocrine therapy. After treatment, zoledronic acid even increases bone-mineral density.