Articles tagged with Disease Prevention
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.
The global prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is estimated to grow from 26 million in 2006 to over 106 million by 2050. A significant increase in Asia is predicted, with the region accounting for 59% of worldwide cases.
A policy paper proposes new ethical principles for obtaining informed consent in large-scale genomic studies conducted in low-income countries. The authors emphasize the importance of protecting participants' rights and dignity, while also advancing global health research.
Researchers identified 9 clinical variables that independently predict the development of rheumatoid arthritis in early arthritis patients. The formula allows physicians and patients to make evidence-based treatment choices, potentially avoiding serious complications associated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Global health experts highlight the need for more international assistance to address chronic non-communicable conditions in low and middle income countries. Chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and cancer cause more deaths than infectious diseases, yet receive less funding.
A new study suggests that prepaying benefits for diabetes prevention could save healthcare costs by preventing millions of individuals from developing the disease. By sharing costs with employers and individuals, private health insurers and Medicare can cover lifestyle interventions, reducing the economic impact of obesity and diabetes.
The NIH panel advocates for expanded regulation of vitamins and minerals, calling for changes in FDA's authority to ensure quality production and consumer reporting of adverse events. The panel also recommends rigorous randomized trials and new MVM databases to test efficacy and safety.
Research finds high incidence of skin diseases among Hispanic migrant farmworkers, including acne and foot fungus. The study highlights the need for better health education and access to services for these workers.
Researchers successfully engineered goat cells to silence prion protein genes, achieving over 90% knockdown. This breakthrough raises the possibility of using similar technology in cattle to prevent Mad Cow Disease and other diseases.
Researchers found that Resolvin E1 provided remarkable protection against soft tissue and bone loss associated with gum disease. The study supports the concept that inflammation is a good therapeutic target in the treatment of periodontal disease.
A recent study found that most Americans believe the US should increase funding for health research, with 55% saying they want more spent on the field. Americans also prioritize preventing disease over curing it, and are willing to pay $1 more per week in taxes for additional medical research.
The symposium discussed the potential of individualized dietary recommendations to optimize health and reduce chronic disease risk. Experts emphasized the need for tailored food choices, new definitions of health, and the application of technology to determine individual nutritional needs.
The Usher Institute has played a significant role in advancing public health in Edinburgh, with a particular emphasis on the study of human genetics and its impact on health outcomes. The institute's research programs have contributed to the University of Edinburgh's reputation as an international research centre.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 500 adults and is the commonest cause of sudden death in otherwise fit young people. Treatment options include medication, surgery, or implantable defibrillators to relieve symptoms and prevent abnormal heart rhythms.
Recent research suggests that autoantibodies can identify individuals at risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Autoantibodies were detected in healthy individuals years before the onset of symptoms, paving the way for potential preventive treatments and improved disease management.
A new study by McGill University researchers has identified phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) as a key enzyme that triggers multiple sclerosis-like disease in an animal model. Treatment with a chemical inhibitor of this enzyme results in a marked reduction in the onset and severity of the disease.
Tobacco smoking weakens the body's defense mechanism, increasing the development of periodontitis. Quitting helps to improve oral health through increased brushing and flossing, which can also prevent periodontal diseases.
Leaders at Duke University Medical Center propose a new approach to healthcare that emphasizes personalized health planning and prevention. The plan aims to reduce disease risk by analyzing individual genetic backgrounds, lifestyles, and environments, and providing patients with customized health plans.
The NIH has established a network of clinical research centers focused on rare diseases, aiming to accelerate diagnosis and treatment. The RDCRCs will facilitate data sharing and collaboration among investigators and patient support groups to improve lives and potentially prevent or eliminate these diseases.
A study highlights the rise of vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children and pregnant women, particularly in immigrant groups in more temperate regions. Experts recommend extra dietary vitamin D supplementation for these populations to prevent deficiencies.
A Cornell University expert argues that 8 million childhood deaths worldwide are preventable due to malnutrition. Malnutrition interacts with diseases like measles and pneumonia, increasing the risk of death by up to 12 times. The solution lies in making healthcare more equitable and accessible, despite funding issues.
A major herpes vaccine trial is underway for women to prevent genital herpes, with over 70% of HSV-1 and HSV-2 negative women showing protection against the disease. The trial aims to recruit thousands of HSV-negative women to test the efficacy of a subunit vaccine containing a piece of the virus outer coat.
A new healthcare model is being launched at Duke University Medical Center, focusing on personalized health planning, coaching, and disease prevention. The initiative aims to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes by empowering patients to make lifestyle changes.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine osteoporosis screening to reduce fracture risk in women with low bone density. The optimal frequency of testing is unclear, but intervals of two to five years are most consistent with current understanding.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that patients with alcoholic-liver disease are at a higher risk of developing confusion and delirium after liver transplant surgery. The study, which included 87 patients, revealed that the length of sobriety before surgery is directly correlated to the severity of these complications.
Newborn diabetes screening benefits patients, medicine, and society by preventing complications, identifying at-risk individuals, and advancing research. Early detection enables targeted interventions to improve disease management, reduce hospitalizations, and lower medical costs.
The Society for Women's Health Research will release four news reports in February addressing key topics related to heart disease in women. The reports cover sex differences in referrals, mortality rates post-heart attack, the Framingham study, and the connection between heart disease and diabetes.
Researchers have discovered that antibodies attacking DNA in people with lupus can also target molecules controlling glutamate activity, leading to neuron death and possible cognitive symptoms. This finding suggests a potential pathway for neurological complications and may lead to new therapeutic options.
A prospective study reveals coeliac disease patients experience a substantial excess of deaths, particularly within the first three years after diagnosis and those with malabsorption symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent mortality, as delay in diagnosis and poor treatment adherence can significantly worsen outcomes.
Researchers found that infliximab treatment reduced ocular inflammation and symptoms in patients with Behcet's disease, including those at risk of permanent blindness. The study suggests TNF blockade as a new therapy for sight-threatening uveitis and severe vasculitic manifestations.
Researchers engineered mice lacking a gene involved in iron metabolism and found progressive brain deterioration similar to Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Atrophy. Iron deposits in key areas of the brain suggest a causative role for iron in these disorders.
Researchers have identified a new form of programmed cell death called paraptosis, characterized by the formation of vacuoles and mitochondrial swelling. This alternative pathway may offer novel therapeutic targets for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
A review by Sanjiv Agarwal and Akkinappally Venketeshwer Rao suggests that dietary antioxidants, particularly lycopene found in tomatoes, may have protective effects against cancer. Further research is necessary to establish guidelines for healthy eating and confirm the role of lycopene in disease prevention.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute are developing vaccines targeting the mucosal immune system to prevent HIV-1 and human papilloma virus infections. They aim to induce neutralizing antibodies and killer T cells to prevent cancerous transformations in cells, with a focus on cervical cancer caused by HPV.
The World Health Organization reports that six infectious diseases - AIDS, malaria, TB, measles, diarrhoeal diseases, and acute respiratory infections - are responsible for over 11 million deaths in 1998. The WHO is calling on governments to take action against these diseases before it's too late.
A new national health database allows researchers to measure the long-term benefits of biomedical research on the entire US population. The database, created using data from National Long Term Care Surveys, shows significant declines in chronic disability and institutionalization among older Americans.