Articles tagged with Epidemics
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Asbestos export continues in Canada, violating its own limitations and the WHO's recommendation to end chrysotile mining. The practice contributes significantly to the global health crisis caused by asbestos-related diseases.
The Lancet Editorial recommends four top candidates - Tim Barnett, Stefano Bertozzi, Michel Sidibé and Debrework Zewdie - to succeed outgoing Executive Director Peter Piot. The selected candidates will be evaluated on their vision and plans for the new role.
The study reveals that growing urbanization in colonial Africa allowed the HIV virus to flourish, leading to the outbreak of the epidemic. The researchers used genetic sequencing to analyze ancient samples and found that the pandemic strain emerged around 1900.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that mild infections play a key role in understanding and controlling cholera outbreaks. The study suggests that individuals with mild infections lose their immunity quickly, leading to a cyclical pattern of illness and recovery.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found a correlation between non-subcutaneous fat and calcified plaque in the arteries, increasing cardiovascular event risk. The study suggests targeting non-subcutaneous fat may be key to preventing heart disease.
Research finds that intellectual work leads to a significant increase in calorie intake, with students consuming up to 253 more calories after mentally demanding tasks. The study suggests that fluctuations in glucose and insulin levels may trigger food overcompensation.
A study in Rwanda found that nearly half of orphaned youth aged 12-24 who head households meet criteria for depression. The combined effects of the genocide and HIV epidemic have left many orphans vulnerable to poverty, social marginalization, and poor health.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health has received a $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create computer simulations of epidemics, evaluating new vaccine technologies and modes of delivery. The project will focus on diseases affecting millions of people globally.
Most countries are not effectively targeting their HIV resources, and new strategies must be implemented to improve prevention interventions. The limited data available indicate that many countries are focusing their prevention resources where the epidemics are concentrated, leading to low coverage rates for effective interventions.
A new pilot project aims to understand the eating habits of Latino migrant children and develop culturally appropriate interventions to combat obesity. The study will survey families in Ohio and Michigan farms and provide data to inform healthy food choices.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic affects nearly 2 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, with most transmission through unprotected sex. The region faces unique challenges due to socio-economic disparities, homophobia, and lack of access to healthcare and education.
Social taboos and stigma surrounding homosexuality make it difficult to control the HIV epidemic among Pakistani men who have sex with men. Outreach programs need to target subpopulations and address specific challenges such as promoting safe sex and reducing stigma around condoms.
Research finds that extreme climate conditions can create conditions for diseases normally tolerated singly to converge and cause mass die-offs in wildlife. In a study on Serengeti lions, researchers linked deadly outbreaks of canine distemper virus to debilitated prey populations and heavy tick infestations after droughts and floods.
A new study reveals that warmer temperatures significantly accelerated the spread of a new strain of West Nile virus across North America. The virus displaced the older strain and led to two of the largest epidemics on record, with over 270 deaths in both 2002 and 2003.
The International Diabetes Federation has supported a diabetes awareness and prevention project in Jordan, aiming to reverse the growing epidemic. The project aims to provide health education opportunities and practical experience through workshops and social support groups.
The current figure of 246 million adults worldwide with diabetes is expected to expand rapidly, with 50% of deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease. The Lancet Editorial emphasizes that much of the morbidity and mortality can be prevented through targeted prevention strategies.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine has documented the association between obesity and increased risk of heart disease. The research found significant ethnic disparities in weight and cardiovascular health, with non-Hispanic white participants showing a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity.
Researchers analyzed 13,000 virus samples from 2002 to 2007 to understand migration patterns of seasonal flu. They found that East and Southeast Asia serves as a source for influenza A (H3N2) viruses globally, with new strains emerging in the region before spreading to other parts of the world.
A new study led by UC Berkeley researchers reconstructs the Sudden Oak Death epidemic in California, tracing the pathogen's spread from its introduction to its current evolution. The study finds that nurseries played a key role in spreading the disease and that climate and environmental conditions contribute to the pathogen's mortality.
Cholera outbreaks can be predicted using satellite sensors, monitoring sea surface temperature and height. This technology offers a pre-emptive approach to addressing epidemics in developing countries affected by climate change.
The rapid growth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in London during the late 1990s was driven by transmission within clusters of sexual contacts, with individuals frequently passing the virus to others after becoming infected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six large clusters and many smaller ones based on genetic relatedness of HIV viruses.
Researchers found a positive association between maternal and paternal BMI and offspring fat mass, but the effect of maternal BMI was weaker. The study suggests that interventions improving diet and physical activity levels could slow or halt the obesity epidemic.
Researchers found a strong seasonal fluctuation of measles transmission rate in Niamey, Niger, which can help predict annual outbreaks. Vaccinating at least 95% of children with two doses of the measles vaccine is crucial to controlling the disease, particularly in areas with high birth rates and limited access to healthcare.
A study suggests government dietary guidelines, introduced in the late 1970s, may have had a negative impact on health due to limited scientific data. The researchers argue that without proper studies, such guidelines may be harmful and recommend more cautious direction.
Since the Soviet collapse, Russian women's smoking rates have more than doubled, with men's rates also increasing. The researchers blame privatization of the tobacco industry and industry lobbying for this alarming trend. The study used data from over 7,000 individuals, showing that the least educated are disproportionately affected.
A new study reveals HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is widespread and severe in low- and middle-income countries. MSM are 19 times more likely to be infected than the general population, with rates up to 100 times higher in some countries.
Despite substantial progress against AIDS, the generalized HIV epidemic continues to rage on, driven by concurrent partnerships. Interventions such as abstinence and condom use have limited effectiveness in containing the spread of the disease, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to prevention.
A new predictive model of disease spread has been developed using actual travel and census data from over 3,000 urban areas in 220 countries. The model provides predictions of outbreak likelihood and potential spread, with simulations that fit the actual SARS virus pattern in 2002.
Scientists have identified a new genetic lineage of the Ebola virus in great apes, which contradicts previous assumptions about its evolutionary development. This discovery suggests that wild strains of Ebolavirus can exchange genetic material through recombination processes.
The UK faces a growing obesity crisis with alarming statistics showing a 30-50% increase in obesity rates over the past decade. Experts call for a comprehensive approach to tackle the epidemic, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, and investing in meaningful interventions.
A new mathematical model explains how persistent microbes co-exist with humans, suggesting an increase in virulent organisms as populations grow. The model proposes that larger populations select for more virulent microbes, leading to potentially severe epidemics.
A new study suggests that a lack of HIV prevention dollars for male sex workers in the Caribbean is fuelling the region's AIDS epidemic. The study found that bisexual behaviour among these men can significantly contribute to the spread of HIV.
A rapid molecular typing strategy can identify adenovirus types in two days, aiding in the selection of antiviral treatment and controlling outbreaks. The strategy's speed will help public health officials better understand adenovirus epidemiology.
Scientists have found Marburg virus in Egyptian rousette fruit bats, a non-symptom developing carrier species that likely transmits the virus to humans. The discovery reveals this bat as Africa's natural reservoir and highlights the need for public health measures to prevent future outbreaks.
Research finds that biological and demographic causes, such as anal sex and role versatility, contribute significantly to high HIV prevalence in gay men. Gay men need to reduce unprotected sex rates by several times that of straight men to end the epidemic
Research finds strong correlation between cholera outbreaks and climate changes, including rainfall and Indian Oscillation Index. The study provides basis for early warning system and prevention measures.
A study published by the American Chemical Society found a link between feline hyperthyroidism and exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from flame retardants in furniture, pet food, and household dust. PBDE levels were three times higher in hyperthyroid cats than in younger cats.
Mayo Clinic physicians found that obese patients who received an obesity diagnosis were more likely to form a weight loss management plan than those without a diagnosis. The study highlights the importance of proactive discussion between physicians and patients about obesity, a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The Chicago Project for Violence Prevention has received a $1.7 million grant to expand CeaseFire, a public health and epidemic control approach, to cities outside of Illinois. The program will be implemented in Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Newark, N.J., and aims to reduce shootings and killings through community mobilization and outreach.
Researchers found that the polysaccharide vaccine can reduce meningitis cases by up to 72% in subsequent epidemics, making it an ideal tool for preventive vaccination strategy. A more cost-effective conjugated vaccine is also being developed to improve access to vaccines in African countries.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing global health epidemic affecting millions. Childhood conditions can influence adult progesterone levels, according to recent studies. Additionally, research on AML1/RUNX1 reveals its role in potentiating stem and progenitor cell engraftment for successful clinical transplantation.
A model predicting the probability of infection from one farm to another has been developed by Gert-Jan Boender and colleagues, highlighting two poultry-dense areas in the Netherlands where epidemic spread is possible. The authors conclude that local control measures are unlikely to halt an unfolding epidemic in these regions.
Researchers found that living in more walkable neighborhoods increases a person's chance of walking for exercise, with a 30- to 600-fold increase compared to less walkable areas. This could lead to better health outcomes for older adults struggling with obesity.
A syphilis epidemic is sweeping China, driven by the re-emergence of sex work and changing sexual practices. The country's national surveillance system has reported a significant increase in syphilis cases, with congenital syphilis rates rising by 71% between 1991 and 2005.
A rapidly increasing syphilis epidemic is sweeping China, with infection rates rising from less than 0.2 cases per 100,000 people in 1993 to 6.5 cases per 100,000 in 1999. The study attributes the surge to economic reforms and globalization, as well as changes in social practices and healthcare costs.
The global epidemic of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) may be larger than previously thought, with an estimated 424,000 cases worldwide in 2004. High levels of resistance were found in countries such as China, India, and Russia.
The African-American community is facing a disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS, with over half of all new diagnoses among this group. The National Minority AIDS Council recommends five policy solutions to address this disparity, including eliminating stigma against black MSM and reducing the role of injection drug use in sustaining the...
A study by Jane Kim and colleagues suggests that introducing a once-in-a-lifetime screen for cervical cancer can provide opportunities to offer additional health checks, such as depression treatment and anemia screening. The optimal package of health services balances monetary limitations and personnel shortages, maximizing health bene...
The proportion of people with type 2 diabetes in Asia has increased rapidly, with younger age groups developing the condition and suffering longer from chronic complications. The region's healthcare systems are under threat as a result.
Two researchers argue that there is no conclusive evidence to support the link between HIV stigma and the global epidemic. Instead, they suggest that stigma may help slow the spread of the disease by reducing opportunities for contact between high- and low-risk groups.
The number of vCJD cases continues to decline due to BSE-infected beef consumption, but researchers explore the potential for transmission via blood transfusions and surgical operations. Key factors determining epidemic scale include instrument reuse frequency and cleaning effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that cross-immunity between dengue strains explains the timing of epidemics, with an average three-year cycle and seasonal component. The study provides a new framework for creating models to predict dengue outbreaks in various regions.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean is characterized by high prevalence rates, with over 3.5 million projected cases by 2015. The region's unique challenges include poverty, migration, and a lack of research into transmission patterns.
The Indian government's plan for controlling HIV is not yet fully implemented, and the consequences could be devastating. Experts call for increased access to care and treatment services, as well as strategic knowledge building, to mitigate the social fallout of the epidemic.
Researchers studied kuru, a prion disease epidemic caused by cannibalism, and found minimum incubation periods ranging from 34 to 41 years. The study suggests BSE infection incubation period could be even longer due to species-barrier effects and genetic variation associated with extended incubation periods.
The US Senate has passed a bill allowing unlimited foreign nurses to work in the country. The move aims to address the ongoing nursing shortage, but critics argue it is a temporary fix that neglects funding local workforce development and fair compensation for countries supplying nurses.
The latest Global Disease Burden study finds a 20% reduction in global disease burden, but HIV/AIDS and malaria increase death tolls, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe experiences a 'striking reversal' in falling adult mortality rates without effective health monitoring.
The Lancet emphasizes the need for strong governmental leadership to address the obesity epidemic, with a focus on production of cheap healthy foods, urban planning, education, and a global code to promote only healthy food and drink. Effective policy changes are crucial to reduce obesity and curb the epidemic.
A new malaria forecasting tool developed by scientists at the University of Liverpool can predict epidemics of malaria up to five months in advance, using climate variability. The model will assist doctors and health care providers in preventing and controlling the disease.
Researchers developed an early-warning system that uses population vulnerability, rainfall, and health surveillance to predict changes in seasonal disease patterns. The system provides health service managers with warnings of changes in epidemic risk five months before the peak malaria season.