IH News Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

Politics and Policies:

  • The government of United States is ready to enroll people in private health insurance plans starting this October 1.
  • Vermont state senate gives final approval those doctors will not face any criminal or civil liability when treating terminally ill patients who choose to end their lives.
  • The government of Uganda plans health insurance policy for the nation.

Programs:

  • With the aim of helping countries to make more informed health policy and program choices, World bank group has released a set of 22 case studies of countries that have significantly expanded access to health care in last decade.
  • Ghana launches television series to spark improvement in maternal health.
  • In order to improve health data collection by increasing access across the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has handed over eight SUV to the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS).
  • The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) provides $ 16 million loan to back up health sector in Mauritiana.
  • UNICEF seeks nearly US$7 million for tens of thousands of flood victims in Mozambique.
  • US$87 million has been approved by the World Bank to support climatic change resiliency and improvement of health and nutrition in Mozambique.
  • Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda receives grant from Ricoh Innovations for eHealth research.
  • A two-day International Conference on Telemedicine for South –East Asian Countries has concluded with Adoption of Delhi Declaration in New Delhi.
  • Financial assistance of US$ 43,592 has been extended to the Kathmandu – based non-based government organization- the Nepal Diabetes Society.
  •  Sri Lanka gets US$200 million credit from World Bank to improve public health system.

Research:

  • According to a study, low levels of copper in brain may lead to senile beta amyloid deposition as senile plaques in brain in Alzheimer’s disease.
  • According to a study United States ranks low on health measures.
  • Scientists have discovered aromatic rice from Bangladesh that has very low arsenic content.  It is believed that its consumption will have major health benefits.
  • A study found that diabetes reduces sperm count and damages DNA in men.
  • According to the researchers work-related stress not related to cancers
  • Experts in their study state that even the young suffer from heart disease.
  • Researchers in their study have found a link between artificial sweeteners with obesity and type- 2 diabetes.
  • Study identifies regions of genes linked with Beh-ets’s disease.
  • According to a U.S. study of Israeli women in vitro fertilization  does not increase the risk of breast and gynecological cancer.
  • A study shows that Americans successfully manage diabetes.
  • A new study states that reducing salt in Americans diet would reduce death from stroke and heart attack.
  • A study in Norway states that folic acid supplements early in pregnancy may reduce risk of autism by 40%.
  • A study shows that people who eat chocolate frequently have a lower body mass index (BMI) that those who consume it less regulatory.
  • Study finds clues to why most babies in China survived tainted milk scandal.

Diseases & Disasters:

  • According to the Disease Control and Surveillance Unit of the Nkoranza South Municipal Health Directorate (Ghana), preventable communicable diseases have hit Nkoranza south municipality.
  • Acute drug shortage is being faced by the public schools of Malawi.
  • Cholera crisis confirmed in northern Mozambique after heavy rains and flooding.
  • Thousands of people are affected and hundreds killed in Hepatitis E outbreak in South Sudan refugee camps.
  • China checks levels of radiation in areas bordering North Korea. So far no signs of radiation in the region.
  • Number of people being affected with H1N1 virus is increasing in New Delhi, India.

 

 

 

WHO Videos on Road and Vehicle Safety

This is just one of the many videos recently posted by WHO on road and vehicle safety. The WHO published a series of videos on topics including drinking and driving, helmet use, seatbelts, and speeding for Russia, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Turkey, Mexico, and Kenya. Visit the WHO YouTube channel to see all of the videos.

Open IH Section Meeting at the CUGH Conference

The following is a message from Paul Freeman, Chair of the IH Section.


Colleagues,
I would like to bring to your attention the Consortium of Universities for Global Conference. Note also as described below we will be hosting a meeting during this event.

Early Bird Discounted Rates Extended for CUGH March 2013 Conference Washington Marriott Wardman Park D.C.
New Deadline: February 15, 2013

Register Now for: CUGH’s 4th ANNUAL GLOBAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
Global Health: Innovation | Implementation | Impact
March 14-16, 2013
Washington DC, USA
Don’t miss the opportunity to join 1,500 Global Health experts and professionals convening to explore the many facets of global health. To register go to http://www.cugh.org and follow the links.

Have your voice heard in Global Health work and advocacy in an independent well established national organization.

An open meeting of the International Health Section of the American Public Health Association will be held during the CUGH conference.
Site: At Conference, Washington Marriott Wardman Park Ballroom Balcony A
When: Friday, March 15th at 6:30pm

This meeting is an open forum where key members of the International Health Section of the APHA will inform you about what we do in relation to Global Health, solicit your views on how we can improve our work together, and demonstrate to you the advantages of joining us. Our 1,500 members already include members from across the full spectrum of professionals working in Global Health. Members of CUGH and GHC are especially invited.

CSIS Video: Cervical Cancer and HIV in Women

Cervical cancer kills an estimated 275,000 women every year, 85 percent of whom are in developing countries. The link between HIV and cervical cancer is direct and deadly; HIV-infected women who are also infected with specific types of human papilloma virus (HPV) are 4-5 times more susceptible to cervical cancer than HIV-negative women. This has important implications for HIV programs, especially in countries with significant HIV epidemics.

To understand the opportunities and challenges of integrating cervical cancer screening and treatment into HIV services for women, the Center for Strategic and International Studies traveled to Zambia, which has been at the forefront of integrating these services.

Documentary Film Trailer: “Access to the Danger Zone”

Related to my recent post on the subject of negotiating humanitarian access is this upcoming documentary by MSF. The official description reads, “Directed by Peter Casaer and narrated by Daniel Day-Lewis, this documentary provides a harrowing look at the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid in armed conflicts.”