Articles tagged with Disease Prevention
Researchers aim to efficiently identify more HIV-infected people through expanded voluntary testing programs. They also seek innovative approaches to curing HIV/AIDS by eradicating or suppressing the virus in infected individuals.
The ENERCA network has published a series of recommendations for disease management and prevention of complications in children with sickle cell disease. The guidelines recommend universal neonatal screening, prophylaxis with penicillin, and transcranial Doppler scanning to prevent infections and strokes.
Researchers studied malaria parasite reproduction, finding damaging male and female forms can prevent disease transmission without killing them entirely.
A new study suggests that periodontal disease may increase the risk for respiratory infections like COPD and pneumonia. Regular oral care can help prevent periodontal disease, which has been linked to other chronic inflammatory diseases.
A recent study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that aggressively marketed drugs tend to offer less benefit and more harm to most patients. The 'inverse benefit law' highlights the need for physicians to critically evaluate commercial marketing and prioritize patient safety.
Scientists in Japan have discovered a compound in tomatoes that enhances fatty acid oxidation and regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. The extract, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid, has anti-dyslipidemic effects and can help prevent vascular diseases.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) welcomes the EU Council's Conclusions on chronic diseases, which call for coordinated measures to address these conditions. EULAR highlights the importance of innovative approaches, patient-centred policies, and integrated healthcare systems to manage musculoskeletal diseases.
The US PLWHA death rate decreased from 1996-2006, with a sharp drop in AIDS-defining illnesses, while non-HIV related diseases like heart disease and liver disease increased, according to CDC analysis.
A growing burden of chronic disease threatens low-income and middle-income countries; weak national health systems hinder effective interventions. Strengthening health systems can improve responses to chronic diseases, benefiting other health services as well.
Patients with peripheral artery disease experience high rates of hospitalizations and associated costs, even after initial procedures to clear blockages in leg arteries. Preventive strategies, including healthy lifestyle adoption, may help arrest or stall the progression of the disease.
The Chronic Disease Alliance, a coalition of 10 European health organizations, has been recognized for its efforts to improve the prevention of chronic diseases at the European level. The alliance has produced a policy paper that identifies central causes of chronic diseases and furnishes action proposals on how to combat their spread.
Research suggests that periodontal disease may affect more American adults than previously estimated, with a potential 50% increase in prevalence. The study highlights the importance of maintaining good oral health and regular dental check-ups to prevent gum disease.
Researchers analyzed 33,900 hospital-based outpatient visits to compare resident and staff physician performance. Resident physicians outperformed staff on four measures, including ACE inhibitor use for congestive heart failure and routine blood pressure screenings.
Global cancer leaders call for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to be included in the Millennium Development Goals to address the growing health issue. NCDs, responsible for 35 million deaths worldwide, face a lack of indicators and inadequate funding, with less than 2% of overseas development aid allocated to these diseases.
The new criteria redefine RA by classifying it based on the confirmed presence of synovitis in at least one joint, absence of alternative diagnoses, and a combined score from four domains. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent destructive joint damage with the help of synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Researchers compared two treatments for preventing strokes due to carotid artery disease, but found no clear winner. While surgery may be beneficial for patients who have had a stroke or temporary stroke in the past 12 months, stenting offers similar benefits for asymptomatic patients.
Researchers at UH are studying 'wireless connections' in the brain to prevent diseases like epilepsy and schizophrenia. They found that liver X receptor β and thyroid hormone receptor α play key roles in brain development and regulation.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend daily physical activity to prevent chronic diseases, with specific guidelines for youth, adults, and older adults. The guidelines emphasize the importance of promoting physical activity in clinical and public health practice.
A new accelerated radiotherapy regimen has been shown to improve disease-free survival and locoregional control without increasing late radiation side-effects in patients with head and neck cancer. The six-fraction per week schedule reduces treatment time while maintaining effective tumour control.
Researchers at HZI have discovered a new adjuvant, c-di-IMP, that enhances immune responses and provides long-lasting protection. The molecule has been shown to stimulate important effector mechanisms in mice, making it a promising candidate for improving existing vaccines.
A Northwestern University professor explores making public policy with limited information, recommending the elimination of inferior options and application of decision criteria to avoid poor outcomes in issues like global warming and vaccination policies.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a universal mechanism that ensures peroxisomes transfer into cells after division, potentially leading to prevention or treatment of deadly disorders. The discovery has implications for screening carriers and could help babies born with peroxisome disorders survive longer.
A new study found that increased walking and cycling in cities like London and Delhi can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve public health more effectively than using lower-emission motor vehicles. The study suggests prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure to create safe urban environments for mass active travel.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has renewed a five-year, $56 million contract to study asthma in children living in lower-income, inner-city environments. The Inner-City Asthma Consortium (ICAC) will evaluate promising new therapies to reduce asthma severity and prevent disease.
Researchers found left side grafting has lower risk to donors compared to right lobe grafts, and recipients can achieve comparable survival rates with smaller graft sizes. The study suggests using left side grafts more frequently in adult-to-adult liver transplantation to reduce donor risk.
Researchers found that chlorhexidine-soaked wipes did not reduce neonatal sepsis or vertical transmission of group B streptococcus. The study suggests that other interventions are needed to target child mortality and achieve the Millennium Development Goal of reducing childhood mortality.
Researchers aim to decipher human odor chemistry for detection and classification of smells, with progress in identifying odors associated with diseases like diabetes and cancer. Scientists also explore detecting 'smell of deception' to screen and identify terrorists and criminals.
Research suggests that diets high in fermentable carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, can lead to dental decay and contribute to chronic systemic diseases. A diet low in these carbohydrates may improve cardiovascular markers and reduce body fat. Dental problems can serve as an early warning sign for dietary imbalances.
Researchers have identified 116 host factors essential for successful dengue infection in fruit flies, with at least one also necessary for mosquito infection. The study opens doors to new ways to prevent or treat the disease, which infects millions globally each year.
The new guideline encourages healthy men to talk to their doctors about using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) to prevent prostate cancer, with a 25% relative risk reduction in most men. ASCO developed a Decision Aid Tool to help patients and families understand the risks and benefits of 5-ARIs.
Chronic stress can lead to neglected oral hygiene habits, increasing the risk of periodontal disease. Regular exercise, balanced diet, and adequate sleep can help maintain healthy teeth and gums, reducing stress's negative impact on overall health and potentially lowering healthcare expenses.
The Lancet's Editorial emphasizes the importance of oral health prevention in reducing dental decay and its consequences. Daily use of fluoride is identified as a cost-effective approach to prevent tooth decay, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to dentists is limited.
A clinical tool called TAG-IT has been developed to assess the risk of undetected hyperglycemia, impaired fasting glucose, and undiagnosed diabetes in patients. By identifying high-risk patients early, clinicians can implement preventative strategies to minimize progression to diabetes and related diseases.
A study found that the World Health Organization's (WHO) budget allocations do not align with global disease burdens. The WHO allocated 87% of its budget to infectious diseases, while non-communicable diseases received only 12%. This disparity in funding is concerning, particularly for injuries and violence, which are largely underfunded.
Researchers have identified compounds that block the activity of a specific enzyme, preventing brain injury and improving survival in fruit flies with Huntington's disease. The findings could lead to better treatments for degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The International Red Cross has adopted a cholera prevention program developed by Hebrew University students, which was effective in preventing and managing the disease in displaced persons camps. The program aims to increase safe drinking water sources, promote awareness, and improve surveillance and reporting of cholera cases.
Patients taking proton pump inhibitors for 7 years or more are at higher risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. The study found a significant increase in hip fracture risk after 5 years and any fracture risk after 7 years of continuous exposure.
Researchers at the Burnham Institute have demonstrated successful enzyme replacement therapy to prevent hypophosphatasia in mice, paving the way for future clinical trials. The treatment maintains healthy bone mineral density and preserves skeletal structures, offering new hope for patients with this genetic disorder.
The incidence of group B streptococcus has decreased among infants younger than 7 days, but increased among adults aged 15-64 years and those over 65, according to a recent study. Disease trends following the release of guidelines for prevention near birth have not yet been well studied.
A study of 938 people with Alzheimer's disease found that heavy drinking reduced the age of onset by six to seven years, while heavy smoking reduced it by two and a half years. The combination of both risk factors led to an earlier onset of the disease.
A large-scale study published in Journal of the American Medical Association finds that omega-3 fatty acids offer no benefit for preventing relapse in Crohn's disease. However, patients who took omega-3 supplements experienced significantly lower triglyceride levels, a risk factor for heart disease.
Dr. Gitlin emphasizes the need for research on childhood diseases and their potential prevention through genetics and nutrition. His work aims to identify key factors leading to diseases in infancy, which may affect them later in life.
A global sanitation fund has been launched, with 32 African countries pledging to spend at least 0.5% of their GDP on sanitation and hygiene. Improved water and sanitation have a tremendous positive impact on health, but sanitation has languished at the bottom of the international agenda for far too long.
A single injection of doxycycline hyclate has shown 100% effectiveness in preventing Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis in mice, offering a promising new treatment option. Researchers are planning to test different release kinetics and delivery methods to develop a slow-release patch for broader protection.
A new study reveals that health professionals and the public lack preparation to integrate genetic testing into practice. The study suggests that education and training are needed to address this gap, with potential solutions including increasing the size of the genetics specialty workforce.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that zoonoses, disease originating in animals, are a major threat to emerging diseases. The team's analysis of 335 disease emergence incidents between 1940 and found that tropical regions with abundant wildlife species are likely next targets.
Researchers found that Group Health patients who regularly used their SilverSneakers benefit experienced significantly fewer inpatient admissions and lower total health care costs. Regular physical activity can help prevent falls, heart attacks, and diabetes complications.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife's Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center developed a special carrot to increase calcium absorption in humans. The study found a two-fold increase in calcium intake, which can help prevent diseases like osteoporosis.
Researchers at Yale University have shown that early treatment of epilepsy-prone rats with ethosuximide can suppress seizures and reduce their frequency even after treatment is stopped. This breakthrough could lead to preventing epilepsy in genetically susceptible people.
Achieving a 2% annual reduction in mortality rates due to chronic diseases could prevent 36 million deaths by 2015. The authors urge key players, including governments, industries, and NGOs, to prioritize policies and programs to tackle chronic diseases, such as tobacco control, diet modification, and physical activity promotion.
The Lancet report highlights the need for donors to invest in chronic disease prevention and treatment. The authors argue that evidence is not dichotomous, but rather a continuum that should trigger action under certain conditions. Policymakers must evaluate the level of evidence required before intervening.
A recent study found that patients with severe periodontal disease incur higher overall health care expenses compared to those with no periodontal disease. Treating periodontal diseases early on using simple non-surgical techniques can help restore a healthy mouth and potentially lower total health care costs.
Researchers have created a global consensus on the 20 foremost measures needed to curb humanity's most fatal diseases. The list of Grand Challenges includes prioritizing resource allocation within health systems and mitigating the impact of poverty and urbanization.
A city-wide sanitation intervention in Salvador, Brazil, significantly reduced diarrhoea prevalence among children, with a 22% decrease. The study found that diarrhoea was 43% lower in areas with the highest baseline prevalence of diarrhoea.
Researchers have found that mutated forms of the angiogenin gene are toxic to motor neurons and affect their ability to grow and extend. Targeting these faulty molecules may help maintain healthy neurons and prevent disease progression.
Researchers analyzed genes of 278 people with Parkinson's disease and found a higher prevalence of mutations in the GBA gene among those diagnosed before age 50. The study suggests that Jewish ancestry may be an important risk factor for younger-onset Parkinson's disease due to the increased presence of GBA gene mutations in this group.
Researchers at Tufts University developed mathematical models to accurately assess seasonality in six diseases, enabling more precise forecasting of outbreaks. The study found that certain diseases peak one month after the temperature peak, likely due to close person-to-person contact and different routes of transmission.
Six researchers will receive $60,000 awards to investigate biological, genetic, and environmental factors associated with Alzheimer's. The study aims to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the disease, which affects an estimated 26 million people worldwide.
A pooled analysis of data from previous studies suggests that cigarette smoking is associated with a reduced risk for developing Parkinson’s disease. Current and long-term smokers had the lowest risk, while those who quit smoking up to 25 years prior to diagnosis also showed a significant decrease in risk.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that older adults with high levels of cognitive activity were 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Frequent cognitive stimulation during old age was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and slower decline in cognitive function.