Blog 12 Premature Deaths in Developing countries

Prematurity is the second most common cause of death for children under age five. Each year 15 million babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and rates are rising almost everywhere. An estimated 1.1 million premature babies die each year. Most are born just a few weeks early in developing countries, where they die from a lack of simple care. Child health experts from organizations including the World Health Organization, Save the Children and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine looked at what could be done in the 39 most developed countries if four recognized measures were implemented. These interventions are stopping smoking, promoting single pregnancies in IVF treatments, reducing planned Caesarean sections - which are often carried out before due dates. If all these were implemented, the researchers suggest premature birth could be prevented for 58,000 babies.  Research should also focus on preterm birth causes and solutions in low income countries where preterm birth rates are highest and the underlying causes may be much simpler to address.

Developing countries are a main target for this problem, often with the lack of resources to actually have a baby to the 37 week term. But, if simple steps like not smoking, and reducing Caesarean sections could be the difference between a healthy baby and an abnormal baby, why wouldn’t you agree to it? Being able to have a healthy baby should be every mother’s priority, because you lower risk for oncoming diseases and illnesses. Taking control of that situation would not only, help but it would increase the birth rates, and Japan would be a country that would benefit from that. Apart from that, developing countries need to not only, focus on having healthy baby, but healthy relationships as well. If developing countries also became aware of contraception’s and birth control methods that would limit how many children they would have, and they could focus on just having a small nuclear family. Instead of having to take care of many babies and children that often do not make it past 5 years old.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20342108

Alexa Florencio-Picazo
11/16/12

Blog 11 Royal Marines Help Hospital

Not everyone is capable of dealing with the issues of post-traumatic stress however the Royal Marines have their methods of helping them cope. It was developed by the Royal Marines and has been used by a number of police forces and fire services too and helps staff identify the signs of stress and trauma in colleagues and equips them to engage with them, offering support or helping them to access other support services within the health board, if needed. Techniques developed by the Royal Marines on how to deal with stress are being used by hospital staff working in an accident and emergency (A&E) unit. It is part of a year-long pilot scheme at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales (UHW). It comes after 83% of A&E UHW staff said they needed more support to deal with work-related stress and anxiety. Staff will also be trained to spot potential signs of stress and anxiety in colleagues and deal with it appropriately. Staff has had training similar to that used by marines to deal with "mental rigors" of their day to day role. As well as the obvious human and social costs, it is estimated that mental health problems cost the Welsh economy £7.2bn every year, and we encourage all employers to make staff mental health and wellbeing a priority           

Now that this program is out there it will help so many Cardiff hospital staff deal with stress, something they were not able to cope with.  It is creating a culture where people feel confident to talk about their mental health and better inform to support each other can only be a positive thing for individual staff members, patients and the department as a whole. Also, when one is in control of themselves and their emotions they tend to work harder and more efficiently, and that is very critical at a hospital. Apart for that, the money they are spending on stress related problems will slowly decrease and end up benefiting everyone.

Alexa Florencio-Picazo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20225371

Blog 10 Multiple Sclerosis

        Apparently there is a new drug that is the “most effective” treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, say UK researchers.  During Multiple Sclerosis the body’s immune system turns on its own nerves causing debilitating muscle problems. Researchers at the University of Cambridge say a cancer drug, which wipes outs resets than other options. However, there is a concern that a drugs company is about to increase the cost of the drug as a result. Around 100,000 people in the UK multiple sclerosis.  When the condition is diagnosed most will have a form of the disease known as relapsing-remitting MS, in which the symptoms can almost disappear for a time, before suddenly returning.  The researchers tested a leukemia drug, alemtuzumab, which had shown benefits for MS in small studies.  One compared the effectiveness in patients given the drug and after being diagnosed, the other looked at patients given the drug after other treatments had failed.  Both showed the drug was around 50% more effective at preventing relapses and patients had less disability at the end of the study than when they started.  Dr. Alasdair Coles from the University of Cambridge said it is certainly the most effective MS drug, based on these clinical trials, but this is definitely not a cure.”

                With this breakthrough it opens the doors for a cure for multiple sclerosis which is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).  MS is caused by damaged is caused by inflammation, inflammation occurs when the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous system. This can occur along any area of the brain optic nerve, and spinal cord. With this new drug, it could help so many cases of multiple sclerosis so people could rehabilitate themselves and possibly progress from MS. Breakthroughs such as these are the ones that truly start a domino effect in the medical world and lead to change.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20151891

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/

Blog 9: Color Test

There is a new color test out there that could detect whether someone has low levels of a virus such as HIV and certain cancers. The color of a liquid test changes to give either a positive or negative result. Designers from Imperial College London say that the device could lead to more widespread testing for HIV and other diseases in parts of the world where other methods are unaffordable. The test can be configured to a unique signature of a disease or virus- such as a protein found on the surface of the HIV. Researchers say this allows the results to be detected with “the naked eye”. Early testing showed the presence of markers of HIV and prostate cancer could be detected. Researchers expect their design will cost 10 times less than current tests. According Dr. Roberto de la Rica “this test could be significantly cheaper to administer, which could pave the way for more widespread use of HIV testing in poorer parts of the world.”

With advancements of that sort, that will take us very far in the medical world. Not only will that help us out in countries that lack the medical attention it could help prevent so many more disease as well. Looking into the future when this truly becomes mass produced, and has been perfected to the max, it will truly bring hope to third worlds countries. These things are the baby steps into bigger steps that truly bring change into the world. With this recent discovery, they will be able to bring progress in other countries. Imagining 5 years how this could be distributed it will not only be able to diagnose diseases it will prevent, and we might be able to slowly stop it from spreading. Things like these will truly bring hope to the world.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20084303
Alexa Florencio-Picazo

Blog 8 Hospital Managers in Peru

Currently in Peru hospital managers “mass walkout” regarding hospital managers in Peru and their resignation in support of doctors. The walkout by 11,000 doctors, now in its fifth week, has caused huge backlogs in hospitals and clinics. According to doctors, despite Peru’s recent strong economic growth, the doctors pay has not increased in years. Many unions blame President Ollanta Humala’s conservative economic policies, is blocking wage increases. “We call on the doctors to return to work because the people who are suffering the costs of this are the patients,” Mr. Castilla said last month. The doctors’ strike is particularly affecting Peru’s poorest, who cannot afford private healthcare.

I feel that these events have to occur for people to have this voice heard. Many times when groups of people protest to prove a point, others finally start to listen. However, this isn’t like the strike isn’t resulting very well. It’s affecting patients that are in need in healthcare. It is sad that this is the only way that people can get attention. This is when these things have to be reconsider, do the pros out way the cons? Personally, I think this causing more harm than good. But we have to look at the bigger picture as well, what is causing that the doctors are not getting raises? If their economy is getting better why aren’t they seeing results? Where is the money really going? I feel that this problem is bigger than just doctors getting raises, and the hospital managers quitting. This may be the 5^th week into the protest, but I have a feeling that its not going to end soon, and the results from this will not be positive.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20000475
alexa florencio picazo
10/19/2012
5:05

Blog 7 International Depression

Depression is a problem in many societies and England has been doing research on the trends of depression. The number of people living with depression in England has increased by nearly half a million in three years, according to an analysis of NHS data. Also Charities said more people were speaking to their GP about depression, but the figure was likely to be the "tip of the iceberg”. However, she said there had been a shift in society's perceptions of depression and doctors had become better at diagnosing it. "More people are coming forwards and they are coming forward because the level of support is better," she said.

Depression to me is very hard to work with, because when not treated it does tend to lead to thoughts of suicide. I feel that even though many things prevent and cause depression, there isn’t as much awareness for depression out there. Depression isn’t often recognized as a disease in other countries so there isn’t as much awareness about it. Currently, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but it also bully awareness month as well. What bullying does is lead many to believe that they are less than others, and often become depressed and commit suicide. More people are coming forward for support however; that does not mean that everyone is being taken care of. There are programs out there, but there needs to be a bigger campaign out there. Depression awareness is growing because more people are seeking help, yet there are still people out there that need to be treated.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19967037
10/16/2012
9:09
Alexa Florencio-Picazo

Blog 6 # Stem Cell-Mice

Everyone knows what stem cell research; it is when stem cells are extracted from embryonic tissue could regenerate to become any type of cell. The debate is whether it’s moral, because after it is taken from an embryo; it loses its viability and cannot become implanted into a womb or develop into a fetus. However, scientist in Japan have been studying stem cells, the cells were used to create eggs, which were fertilized to produce baby mice. These mice later had their own babies. Stem cells made from skin have become “grandparents” after generations of life were created in experiments by scientist in Japan. The scientists in Japan want to use the same technique, and adapt it for people, it could help infertile couples have children and even allow women to overcome menopause. If the same methods could be used in people then cells in skin could be turned into an egg. Any resulting child would be genetically related to the mother.

                Science is constantly making improvements and discoveries especially with technology being so advanced. It really astonishes me that they are making baby mice out of petri dishes really, because that’s how it started, that’s how the grandma was made, and that their children have reproduced and made offspring, well it’s a great achievement. It really does open a lot of doors to what we will be able to do with stem cell research. However, it’s going to be a long time before this happens because we would be messing with humans, and human life is so much more precious than mice. We truly have to perfect this before we even think about considering messing with human cells.

4:58
10/5/2012
Alexa Florencio-Picazo
Mosaic LLC.

http://www.thehastingscenter.org/Issues/Default.aspx?v=260&gclid=CN-opMjY6rICFQcGnQod6B0Apg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19827287

Blog #5 SARS-Like Virus

There is a new respiratory illness similar to that of the Sars Virus- but apparently it will not spread easily say experts at the World Health Organization (WHO). Looking back, the Sars virus emerged in China in 2002, killing hundreds of people. Sars: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome had infected 8,098 people from November 2002 through July 2003. SARS and the new, un-named, virus - as well as the common cold virus - belong to the coronavirus family. But this new virus is different from any coronaviruses previously identified in humans. The World Health Organization announced Sunday that two cases of a SARS like virus have been reported: a 49-year old Qatari man in critical condition died in a U.K. hospital and 60-year-old Saudi woman who died earlier this year.  This suffered from 99.5 percent identical coronavirus that caused acute respiratory syndrome and renal failure.  Scientific and technological advances in the last ten years allowed health officials to shift from reaction to anticipation this time around. The WHO also announced diagnostic tests were being developed by scientists around the world as quickly as possible.

           From what I have read the WHO organization has not put out an official warning, they are continuing to monitor the situation but were not putting any travel restrictions for Saudi Arabia or Qatar. Fortunately, for us, technology has changed our society and we are more able to control situations like this. When SARS occurred the world was not cooperating with each other, China was refusing to acknowledge they were the cause; however, Qatar immediately reacted to the SARS-like virus situation and exposed this to society so we could be globally aware of what’s happening. In today’s society we are all linked together so we must let each other know when something is happening in our community.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19756089
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/09/25/response-to-sars-like-virus-an-improvement-over-2003-outbreak/

alexa florencio-picazo
9/28/2012
4:42

Blog 4 Ebola in Uganda

         Ebola is severe and often fatal disease in humans and primates. The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, which is named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak was believed to have started in late June.  Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhumans that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976. Researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal borne), and it has no carrier state. People can be exposed to Ebola virus from direct contact with the blood and/or secretions of an infected person.

                The ministry of health said 17 people have died from the ebola disease including a clinical officer in Kibale district. While five patients were cured, they stated that over 400 patients who came in contact with ebola and were admitted and monitored have been discharged. The ministry assured the public that the country is safe for all people including foreigners intending to travel in and out of the country. Uganda will be free on October 4^th 2012 of Ebola, if no one gets infected. However the ministry cautions that the country continues to monitor the situation to ensure that is no risk of yet another outbreak. The ministry reassures the public that everything is under control to ensure that the outbreak is finally contained and declared over in the near future.

                I have very mixed feelings to towards this, something of this nature I should have heard of when it was starting to occur in June, after looking through many websites I come across this article. I found out that its coming to an end. However I did read that often the disease Ebola is nosocomial mainly due to the lack of sterilization of needles. Many times they do no use disposable needles when injecting medicine, and just barely rinse off the needle causing it to become contaminated with the virus. Reading about this has caused me to really appreciate the precautions they take in the medical field.

 

9/21/2012
3:46pm

Alexa Florencio-Picazo
Mosaic LLC.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/Fact_Sheets/Ebola_Fact_Booklet.pdf
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635315-ebola-virus-no-longer-a-threat-ministry.html
http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/uganda-writes-to-saudi-arabia-about-ebola-outbreak/27337.aspx

Blog 3 Yosemite Park Virus

 

Yosemite National Park is one of the first national parks founded, and is mainly known for their waterfalls. However, they are getting more awareness from their recent outbreaks in Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantavirus is a life threating disease that is spread to humans by rodents and leaves symptoms similar to influenza.  Yosemite National Park expanded a warning about the deadly Hantavirus to their recent visitors that has no cure, and kills more than a third of those infected. Deer mice carry the virus in their urine and feces, and humans can inhale it when it mixes with dust. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sounded a worldwide alert, saying visitors who visited between June and August may be at risk. The Park is trapping and killing deer mice, which have grown in population, and they are reporting that they have trapped 3 times as many deer mice than those caught in 2008.

                I never been much of an outdoor type person, I camped out in a friend’s back yard, and ended up going inside and sleeping on the couch. However, as I read this article I realized that deadly viruses still exist in nature, where everything is all natural and the air is truly fresh. I’m not sure if we should be worried that Yosemite has a crazy amount of deer mice roaming around. It caught my attention because I wanted to know if this virus could pass through human contact, fortunately it doesn’t. However the fact that there is no cure, and lung failure could occur, makes me think twice about camping really soon.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19594542
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19594542
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/14/yosemite-extends-hantavirus-warning-th-infection-confirmed/

Alexa Picazo
9/14/2012
5:00pm

Blog 2 Childrens health

      In the society we are living in today, mainly in the United States there are certain foods that are of easier access to us than others. Also the media has a very big impact on what we decide to eat. Reading an article on Children’s Health in CNN, they talked about an experiment between apples and cookies, and comparing the results. In an elementary school, Cornell University branded certain foods, using an apple and a cookie as their choices. They branded them with Elmo stickers and observed and took note of which one the children would choose, the results end up showing that the apple was chosen more when the Elmo sticker was on it.

       Taking that into a greater perspective, if adults did the same thing; and choose the healthy item we wouldn’t have such a problem with obesity.  Personally, I do think that certain endorsements impact our decisions, for instance if they had tried that same test with a much older crowd and used other brands, for instance if we put a supermodel on an apple, that would  affect our decisions. What if we put a sumo-wrestler on a cookie? Would you be more attracted to the cookie then?  Our decisions in food are often impacted by our surroundings.  But if you look at this problem globally, I don’t think people in 3^rd world countries make the decisions for their food, like we do. They are impacted by another circumstances, I don’t think they have access to same foods we do. I looked at this website, stop the hunger and it gives the statistics of world population, and well I feel that our problem of children making healthy decisions is more of a microsociology problem, but when you look at it in a bigger problem some people don’t even have food to choose from.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/29/elmo-says-to-eat-more-apples/
http://www.stopthehunger.com/
9/7/2012
3:47pm
alexa f picazo.

Blog 1, West Nile Deaths Rise

        Currently the south has to deal with a reported numbers of deaths and infections from the West Nile Virus. States such as Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are dealing with mosquito related deaths and they are continuing to rise. However, federal officials do not think that Hurricane Isaac will make things worse. There has been a reported of 1590 cases of the virus nationwide, and 41 deaths have been reported to the agency within the last week. “These hurricanes and flood events tend to disrupt the entire ecology of the area, and thus interrupt this natural transmission cycle between birds and mosquitoes” Dr. Peterson said. Mosquitoes get the West Nile Virus when they feed on infected birds.
     Since everyone is worried about the West Nile Virus, looking back in time after Hurricane Katrina hit, there was a small increase in the of West Nile cases reported in some areas of Louisiana, and there is the same fear that will happen with Hurricane Isaac. So in order to prevent that, Texas Department of State Health Services is having an aerial spray operation in Dallas County aimed at reducing the mosquito population for their area. I hope that Isaac does not create the same damage as Katrina did and, the West Nile Outbreak will not increase the death rates. Oh, if Isaac does happen I hope FEMA is prepared, because they messed up big time when it came to Katrina. But regardless, the West Nile Mosquito Outbreak, should be handle, even though federal and state health officials said it was unclear what had caused the outbreak in the first place.

-Alexa Florencio-Picazo
8/31/12
2:20 pm

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/us/west-nile-deaths-rise-but-isaac-unlikely-to-add-to-peril.html?_r=1&ref=health