id21Healthnews
The latest research and news on health issues in developing countries.
Welcome to the second issue of 'id21HealthNews' with the latest research and news on health issues in developing countries.
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*** id21HealthNews Issue 2 April 2001 ***
NEW TO THE id21HEALTH ONLINE COLLECTION:
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Insights Health 1 is now available on-line
* Taking poverty to heart - non-communicable diseases and the poor
(editorial)
* Diseases of affluence? Global trends and predictions
* Taking the strain: the challenge for health systems
* The worst of two worlds: adult mortality in Tanzania
* Class divide: education and NCD risk factors in Cameroon
* Quick decision? Fast-track data for health policy
* Controlling the global tobacco epidemic: towards a transnational response
* Prevention is better than cure: tackling cardiovascular disease in the
Seychelles
* Sites for sore eyes: on-line resources on NCDs in developing countries
Focus on mental health and addiction
* Economic depression: poverty and mental health in developing countries
* Mental arithmetic: the economics of mental illness in Zimbabwe
* Feeling poorly? Poverty and depression in Goa, India
* Who's in charge? Alcohol policy in Hungary
* Brain strain: the burden of persistent depression in Zimbabwe
OTHER NEWS:
---------------------
* Reports 1: Reproductive health report
* Books 1: Hygiene promotion. A practical manual for relief and development
* Books 2: AIDS The Challenge for South Africa
* World Water Day
* World TB Day
* Reports 2: South African health review 2000
* Malaria educational site
* Reports 3: Environmental change and human health
* Short course: Introduction to infectious disease modelling and its
applications
* Population-environment resources web page
* Books 3: Mental health services in disaster: manual for humanitarian
workers
* "PopReporter" launched
* Reports 4: Global TB control - WHO report 2001
NEW TO THE id21HEALTH ONLINE COLLECTION:
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(Click on the link to see the full piece in each case or contact the
originators using the contact details provided).
Taking poverty to heart: non-communicable diseases and the poor (editorial)
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide.
Their emergence as the predominant health problem in wealthy countries
accompanied economic development. As a result, NCDs are often referred to as
'diseases of affluence'. But is this a misleading term? It suggests that
these are not major problems for the world's poor, which is quite simply
wrong, as this issue of Insight Health illustrates. Is it time to rethink
policy on NCDs?
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art00.html
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Further information:
Nigel Unwin, University of Newcastle, Departments of Diabetes and
Epidemiology & Public Health, Medical School, Newcastle, NE2 4HH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)191 222 5407 Fax: +44 (0)191 222 0723 Email:
[email protected]
********
Taking the strain: the challenge for health systems
While developing countries continue to battle against infectious diseases,
they now face an increasing burden from NCDs. How can health systems deal
with this additional strain?
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art02.html
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Further information:
Andrew Green and Charles Collins, Nuffield Institute for Health, University
of Leeds, 71-75 Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9PL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)113 233 6953 Fax: +44 (0)113 246 0899
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
********
The worst of two worlds: adult mortality in Tanzania
Many Tanzanians have entered the 21st century suffering the worst of two
worlds. They share the crushing debt and poverty of other developing
countries, yet are increasingly afflicted by chronic health conditions
usually associated with richer nations.
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art03.html
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Further information:
Henry Kitange, AMMP, Ministry of Health, PO Box 65243, Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania
Tel: +255 22 211 6145 Fax: +255 22 212 3289 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/ammp
********
Class divide: education and NCD risk factors in Cameroon
The burden of many NCDs, particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
lung cancer, tends to increase with economic development. However, in
wealthier countries, the greatest burden of NCDs falls on the poor. Who is
most at risk in developing countries - the rich or the poor?
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art04.html
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Further information:
Jean-Claude Mbanya, Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, Department of Internal
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé
I, BP 8046 Yaoundé, Cameroon
Tel: + 237 31 52 35 Fax: + 237 31 52 35 Email:
[email protected]
********
Quick decision? Fast-track data for health policy
The prevalence of NCDs is rising rapidly in low and middle income countries.
Health systems are already overburdened and the challenge of planning NCD
health services in this environment is great. What tools are available to
health planners to guide the effective use of resources?
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art05.html
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Further information:
Nigel Unwin and Terry Aspray, University of Newcastle, Departments of
Diabetes and Epidemiology & Public Health, Medical School, Newcastle, NE2
4HH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)191 222 5407 Fax: +44 (0)191 222 0723 Email:
[email protected]
********
Controlling the global tobacco epidemic: towards a transnational response
Recent trends in the globalisation of the tobacco industry are reflected in
the shifting of the burden of tobacco-related disease and deaths towards
developing countries. Tobacco companies have proved sufficiently powerful to
thwart comprehensive control programmes in all but a handful of countries.
What new strategies are needed to control the epidemic in developing
regions?
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art06.html
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Further information:
Jeff Collin, Centre on Globalisation, Environmental Change and Health,
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E
7HT, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7612 7884 Fax: +44 (0)20 7637 5391 Email:
[email protected]
********
Prevention is better than cure: tackling cardiovascular disease in the
Seychelles
The Republic of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean has developed rapidly over
the last 30 years, partly due to booming tourism. GDP per capita increased
in real terms from $2927 in 1980 to $5731 in 1999. In that time, infectious
diseases have been tamed and infant mortality has dropped from 50 to 10 per
1000 live births. As a result, the absolute number of people in their 30s
and 40s has doubled over the last 20 years. What challenges does this
present for health services?
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art07.html
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Further information:
Pascal Bovet, Ministry of Health, PO Box 52, Victoria, Seychelles
Tel: +248 388 000 Fax: +248 224 792 Email: [email protected]
********
Sites for sore eyes
On-line resources on NCDs in developing countries.
http://www.id21.org/insights/insights-h01/insights-issh01-art08.html
********
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To subscribe free of charge to the hard-copy edition of Insights Health,
send an email with your name and full postal address to id21's health
editor, Heidi Brown at [email protected].
********
Economic depression: poverty and mental health in developing countries
Why are depression and related disorders reaching crisis proportions in the
developing world? What are the causes of common mental disorders (CMDs) in
low-income countries? Research in Brazil, Chile, India and Zimbabwe,
co-ordinated by the UK Institute of Psychiatry, showed that women, those
with little education, the poor and older people are most likely to suffer
from mental disorders.
http://www.id21.org/health/h3vp1g2.html
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Further information:
Vikram Patel, Sangath Centre, 841/1 Alto Porvorim, Goa, INDIA 403521
Tel: +91 832 413527 Fax: +91 832 415244 Email: [email protected]
********
Mental arithmetic: the economics of mental illness in Zimbabwe
Common mental disorders (CMDs) make a significant contribution to the
disease burden in developing countries. Who is most likely to suffer from
mental illness? How can health services with limited resources reduce the
incidence and impact of CMDs?
http://www.id21.org/health/h3vp1g3.html
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Further information:
Vikram Patel, Sangath Centre, 841/1 Alto Porvorim, Goa, INDIA 403521
Tel: +91 832 413527 Fax: +91 832 415244 Email: [email protected]
********
Feeling poorly? Poverty and depression in Goa, India
Are poor people more likely to suffer from depression than the wealthy? Is
there a link between disability and mental disorder? What role does gender
play? Researchers from the UK Institute of Psychiatry and the Goa Institute
of Psychiatry & Human Behaviour, India, investigated the relationship
between poverty, disability and depression in Goa.
http://www.id21.org/health/h3vp1g4.html
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Further information:
Vikram Patel, Sangath Centre, 841/1 Alto Porvorim, Goa, INDIA 403521
Tel: +91 832 413527 Fax: +91 832 415244 Email: [email protected]
********
Who's in charge? Alcohol policy in Hungary
Who determines alcohol policy at the national level in Hungary? What is
their understanding of the policy issues and what motivates their interest
in the problem? Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine explored the alcohol policy arena in Hungary to identify the key
players and their influence on policy aimed at reducing alcohol consumption.
They found a lack of a consensus among those involved and limited awareness
of their potential influence.
http://www.id21.org/health/h2mm1g1.html
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Further information:
Martin McKee, European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7927 8636 Fax: +44 (0)20 7580 8183 Email:
[email protected]
********
Brain strain: the burden of persistent depression in Zimbabwe
Common mental disorders (CMDs) are an important cause of illness and
disability in primary healthcare patients in Zimbabwe. For some it is a
temporary condition while others will be persistently ill, placing a
particular strain on healthcare resources. How can busy primary healthcare
workers identify those most likely to be chronically ill?
http://www.id21.org/health/h3vp1g1.html
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address: [email protected]
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Further information:
Vikram Patel, Sangath Centre, 841/1 Alto Porvorim, Goa, INDIA 403521
Tel: +91 832 413527 Fax: +91 832 415244 Email: [email protected]
********
OTHER NEWS:
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Reproductive Health Report
In 'A world of difference: sexual and reproductive health and risks'
Population Action International
women's reproductive health. A wallchart
ranks 133 countries, representing 95 percent of the world's population, on a
Reproductive Risk Index composed of 10 key indicators of sexual and
reproductive health. The study documents the vast disparities between rich
and poor countries and the urgent need to accelerate progress in this area.
********
Hygiene Promotion. A Practical Manual for Relief and Development
Suzanne Ferron, Joy Morgan
O'Reilly
IT Publications, London. ISBN 1 85339 505 6
This manual attempts to fill a gap in the current literature on health and
hygiene education in relief and rehabilitation settings and is also
applicable to developmental settings. It is written mainly for field-workers
on programmes aiming to reduce the incidence of water- and
sanitation-related diseases. It may also be useful to programme managers or
ministry officials struggling to integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene
education/community management into their projects, and for health care
workers attempting to address the high incidence of diarrhoeal diseases in
either development or emergency programmes.
********
AIDS The Challenge for South Africa
Alan Whiteside and Clem Sunter
Human & Rousseau, Cape Town. ISBN 0 7981 4062 3
On the issue of HIV/AIDS, the majority of South Africans can be divided into
two broad categories: those who bury their heads in the sand and deny that
the epidemic exists, and those who believe that it exists but they cannot do
anything about it.
This book offers a third view: there is an epidemic but there are plenty of
things we can do to prevent it spreading further and to ameliorate the
impact of increasing sickness and death among those already infected. The
authors recommend a grass roots approach made up of many small initiatives,
pursued on as wide a front as possible, to overcome the epidemic and to
soften its impact.
********
22nd March is World Water Day
The theme is "Water and Health". The world water day website
information on events, and will be updated throughout the year.
********
World TB Day - 24th March
The theme for World TB Day 2001 is "DOTS - TB Cure for All" and calls for
equitable access to treatment for all people with TB. Further information is
available from the WHO
Stop TB Initiative
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South African Health Review 2000
SAHR 2000, published by the Health Systems Trust, was launched on the 1st of
March, 2001. It consists of 24 chapters dealing with various aspects of the
Health Care System.
For prices and ordering details, email [email protected].
********
Malaria Educational Site
This site from the Royal Perth Hospital, is now available in French, English
and Spanish. It contains sections on diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and
history as well as an innovative interactive "Test & Teach" self assessment
module. It is useful for clinicians, scientists, healthcare workers and
students.
The information is also available on a bilingual CD-ROM, distributed free of
charge to institutions with limited internet access.
Contact Graham Icke for details ([email protected]).
********
Environmental change and human health in countries of Africa, the Caribbean
and the Pacific (ACP)
Gordon McGranahan et al., Stockholm Environment Institute.
The environmental health priorities for most ACP countries are old problems,
such as infectious diseases and hunger, in a new world of global economic
and climatic change. To meet this challenge, health and environment sectors
will have to work together and find a common agenda rooted in local
concerns. A new and wide ranging report from the Stockholm Environment
Institute
Medicine
health to demography, the environmental context, agricultural change,
urbanization and global environmental change, concluding with a chapter on
'Health and Environment: the Common Agenda'.
********
Introduction to infectious disease modelling and its applications
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 9-20th July, 2001
This two week course introduces infectious diseases professionals to this
exciting and expanding area. Applications include predicting the impact of
vaccination and devising optimal control strategies for HIV. The aim is to
develop an understanding of the basic methods and their practical
application. It is suitable for policy-makers, health and veterinary
professionals, medical statisticians and researchers. Mathematical training
is not a prerequisite.
********
Population-environment resources web page
The Population-Environment Resources page makes its debut this month. It
features a daily news link, Population Reports issues on the environment,
databases of photographs, images, posters, and videos, a POPLINE document
search, and links to organizations and e-mail discussion groups. For more
information about Population Reports, email Stephen Goldstein at:
[email protected].
********
PAHO/WHO publication: Mental health services in disaster: manual for
humanitarian workers
The manual is written in a simple and easy-to-read format for people
involved in providing relief, in the short and long-term, from psychosocial
and psychophysiological repercussions of disaster. It's main objective is to
provide an orderly, immediate and efficient flow of relief, training public
mental health elements and to prevent already identified adverse
consequences.
********
"PopReporter" Launched
The first issue this free electronic magazine from the Johns Hopkins
University Population Information Program, will soon be available. Each
week, research staff will prepare an electronic magazine containing links to
key news stories, reports, and related developments around the globe. The
focus will be on reproductive health, family planning, and related health
communication topics. To subscribe, follow this link.
********
Global TB Control - WHO Report 2001
The fifth annual report on global TB control is based on case notifications
and treatment outcome data supplied by national control programmes. Six
consecutive years of data were used to assess worldwide progress in TB
control, focusing on 23 high incidence countries that account for 80%of all
new cases. The main aim was to assess progress towards 2005 targets for case
detection (70%) and treatment success (85%). Analysis of progress from 1995
to 1999 includes a revision of incidence estimates for all countries in
these years, together with projections to 2005.
********
id21HealthNews Issue No. 2 April 2001
The id21 online collection contains hundreds of policy-relevant research
digests on global development issues. To see the whole collection visit our
web-site at:
Please forward this newsletter to other interested colleagues.
Created by the id21 Team:
Alistair Scott - Programme Manager
Isabel Vogel - Programme Officer
Louise Daniel - Senior Editor
Dominic Furlong - Education Editor
Heidi Brown - Health Editor
Sandra Baxter - Administrator
id21 is enabled by the UK Department for International Development and
hosted by the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.
If you have any problems or queries contact us at: [email protected]
Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of id21 or
other contributing institutions. Unless stated otherwise articles may be
copied or quoted without restriction, provided id21 and originating
author(s) and institution(s) are acknowledged. Copyright 2001 id21.
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