Global Burden of Disease Study: Establishing Global Health Priorities

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Please provide your feedback to the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 Health Measurement Survey.

The Global Burden of Disease Study of 2010 aims to measure the impact of different diseases, injuries, and risk factors on people's health worldwide. This research updates a groundbreaking study first published in 1993 that changed the way researchers and health experts around the world thought about global health priorities.

The survey will ask you to imagine different health outcomes and compare them to each other. For example: "Imagine two people—the first person is completely blind, and the second person suffers from constant intense back pain. Who is healthier overall?"

By participating in the survey, you will contribute to the scientific understanding of global health problems and ultimately enable policymakers and health care leaders to make better decisions based on stronger evidence. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary, and your responses will be anonymous.

Take the Survey

This study is being led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in conjunction with Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Queensland, and the World Health Organization.

Blacks Have More 'Soft' Plaque

Cancer 'is purely man-made' say scientists after finding almost no trace of disease in Egyptian mummies | Mail Online

Image via WikipediaBy Fiona Macrae

Cancer is a man-made disease fuelled by the excesses of modern life, a study of ancient remains has found.

Tumours were rare until recent times when pollution and poor diet became issues, the review of mummies, fossils and classical literature found.

A greater understanding of its origins could lead to treatments for the disease, which claims more than 150,000 lives a year in the UK.

Michael Zimmerman, a visiting professor at Manchester University, said: 'In an ancient society lacking surgical intervention, evidence of cancer should remain in all cases.

'The virtual absence of malignancies in mummies must be interpreted as indicating their rarity in antiquity, indicating that cancer-causing factors are limited to societies affected by modern industrialisation.'

Dismissing the argument that the ancient Egyptians didn't live long enough to develop cancer, the researchers pointed out that other age-related disease such as hardening of the arteries and brittle bones died occur.
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Related articles

• Is cancer caused by modern way of life? (respiratorytherapycave.blogspot.com)
• Cancer is purely a man-made condition (topinews.com)
• Cancer is a man-made disease, study claims (msnbc.msn.com)

Aging Studies in the Pulmonary System

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The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invite research project grant applications that explore age-associated changes in pulmonary physiology, pathology and function, and their relationship to respiratory conditions and diseases that occur commonly in older populations. The goal of this FOA is to support basic, clinical and translational research to address physiological mechanisms underlying progressive functional declines in the pulmonary system. This research will likely enhance our basic understanding of molecular and cellular aspects of pulmonary aging, which may translate into improvements in the prevention and management of pulmonary diseases in older persons. Projects involving in vitro studies, animal models, and/or human subjects are of significant interest to NIA and NHLBI. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the R01 grant mechanism Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Link to Full Announcement

Myth Busting: Heart Failure Issue

From BP Blogger - Cutting Through the Foggy Myths Using Best Practice Guidelines in Long Term Care Myth 1: Heart failure means your heart has stopped beating Myth 2: Heart failure is normal with aging Myth 3: Heart failure is tricky to recognize Myth 4: Can’t treat heart failure in LTC

COPD awareness is growing, but information gap persists

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., but a survey reveals that more public health educational efforts are needed.

Guideline for Alzheimer's Disease Management: California Workgroup on Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease Management

This report updates and expands the Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Disease Management (California Workgroup on Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Disease Management, 2002), which itself was a revision of the California Workgroup’s original Guideline published in 1998.

All of these documents were based upon work begun by the Ad Hoc Standards of Care Committee of the Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (ADDTCs) of California (Hewett, Bass, Hart, & Butrum, 1995).

National Epilepsy Awareness Month --- November 2008

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Epilepsy, which currently affects approximately 2.5 million persons in the United States, is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Delayed recognition of these seizures and subsequent inadequate treatment increases the risk for additional seizures, disability, decreased health-related quality of life, and, in rare instances, death. Although epilepsy can occur at any age, the condition is more likely to begin in childhood or older adulthood. The number of cases among older adults is increasing as the U.S. population ages. The effects of epilepsy also can affect the transition to adult activities (e.g., driving and working). A multistate study by CDC indicated that approximately 1% of adults have active epilepsy, and many might not be receiving the best available medical care. To improve the health care and community support available to persons affected by epilepsy, the Epilepsy Foundation, in partnership with CDC, is conducting a multiyear national campaign to use public education and programs that foster community awareness. The goal of this year's campaign, entitled No More Seizures, is to increase the number of persons with epilepsy who can achieve optimum control of their condition (i.e., no seizures or treatment side effects). To achieve this goal, basic education and empowerment messages have been developed to encourage persons with epilepsy to learn about new treatments, seek the care of specialists trained in epilepsy care, and discuss the management of their condition with their doctors. In addition, persons who have experienced seizures can access a new website (http://www.nomoreseizures.org) to partner with the Epilepsy Foundation and others in managing their treatment for the condition. Other campaign activities include school-based health education programs, community workshops for diverse audiences, and training for older adults and their caregivers. In addition, the Epilepsy Foundation has developed pilot curricula for police and emergency response personnel and is evaluating a pilot comprehensive employment program to educate employers about epilepsy in the workplace. Their Epilepsy Resource Center supports consumers through online, telephone, e-mail, and regular mail services. Partnerships with other national and local organizations have been established to provide programs in public education and community awareness; these organizations include the National Association of School Nurses, AARP, Community Health Workers/Promotores National Network, National Council of La Raza, National Center for Farmworker Health, East Coast Community Health Centers Association, American Epilepsy Society, Police Executive Forum, and Hispanic Communication Network. Information regarding epilepsy and the national campaign is available from the Epilepsy Foundation by telephone (800-332-1000) or online (http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org). Information in Spanish is available online ( http://www.fundacionparalaepilepsia.org) or by telephone (866-748-8008).

Prevalence of Selected Risk Behaviors and Chronic Diseases

Problem: Behavioral risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity) can lead to chronic diseases. In 2005, of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, seven (heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and kidney disease) were attributable to chronic disease. Chronic diseases also adversely affect the quality of life of an estimated 90 million persons in the United States, resulting in illness, disability, extended pain and suffering, and major limitations in daily living. Description of the System: CDC's Steps Program funds 40 selected U.S. communities to address six leading causes of death and disability and rising health-care costs in the United States: obesity, diabetes, asthma, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. In 2005, a total of 39 Steps communities conducted a survey to collect adult health outcome data. The survey instrument collected information on health risk behaviors and preventive health practices among noninstitutionalized adults aged >18 years. Results: Prevalence estimates of risk behaviors and chronic conditions varied among the 39 Steps communities that reported data for 2005. The proportion of the population that achieved Healthy People 2010 (HP 2010) objectives also varied among the communities. The estimated prevalence of obesity (defined as having a body mass index [BMI] of >30.0 kg/m² as calculated from self-reported weight and height) ranged from 15.6% to 44.0%. No communities reached the HP2010 objective of reducing the proportion of adults who are obese to 15.0%. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) ranged from 4.3% to 16.6%. Eighteen communities achieved the HP2010 objective to increase the proportion of adults with diabetes who have at least an annual foot examination to 75.0%; five communities achieved the HP2010 objective to increase the proportion of adults with diabetes who have an annual dilated eye examination to 75.0%. The prevalence of reported asthma ranged from 7.0% to 17.6%. Among those who reported having asthma, the prevalence of having no symptoms of asthma during the preceding 30 days ranged from 15.4% to 40.3% for 10 communities with sufficient data for estimates. The prevalence of respondents who engaged in moderate physical activity for >30 minutes at least five times a week or who reported vigorous physical activity for >20 minutes at least three times a week ranged from 42.0% to 62.2%. The prevalence of consumption of fruits and vegetables at least five times a day ranged from 15.6% to 30.3%. The estimated prevalence among respondents aged >18 years who reported having smoked >100 cigarettes in their lifetime and who were current smokers on every day or some days at the time of the survey ranged from 11.0% to 39.7%. One community achieved the HP2010 objective to reduce the proportion of adults who smoke to 12.0%. Among smokers, the prevalence of having stopped smoking for >1 day as a result of trying to quit smoking during the previous 12 months ranged from 47.8% to 63.3% for 31 communities. No communities reached the HP2010 objective of increasing smoking cessation attempts by adult smokers to 75%.

Trends in Sexually Transmitted Infections (Other Than HIV) in Older People

There has been a significant increase in the overall rate of STIs in older adults over the last few years, but little published research to inform public health policy, which remains youth focused. The results of this study, together with evidence from a number of other studies, would indicate that sexual risk-taking behaviour is not confined to young people but also occurs among older people. Although it is recognised that young people should remain the focus of sexual health programmes, the results of this study suggest that interventions designed to impart knowledge and provide the requisite skills needed to reduce STI risk should be provided for all sexually active age groups. Existing sexual health programmes do not adequately cater for older individuals and will require an understanding of the risk factors applicable to this sub-group of the population in order to reverse the rising trends observed in this study. There is therefore a need to support a programme of good quality (both qualitative and quantitative) research that can contribute to effective planning and implementation of intervention strategies that, while aiming to reduce STI transmission among all age groups and high risk sub-groups, include interventions aimed specifically at older people. These programmes should include strategies that encourage early diagnosis and treatment, provide age-appropriate educational materials and address societal attitudes and myths, as well as healthcare provider assumptions, regarding sexual activity among older people. A T Bodley-Tickell,1 B Olowokure,1 S Bhaduri,2 D J White,3 D Ward,4 J D C Ross,5 G Smith,6 H V Duggal,7 P Goold5 on behalf of the West Midlands STI Surveillance Project Sex Transm Infect. 2008;84(4):312-317. ©2008 BMJ Publishing Group

It′s Time to Get Smart about the Use of Antibiotics

What do sinusitis, most sore throats, bronchitis, runny noses and the regular cold have in common? They are upper respiratory tract infections usually caused by viruses that can′t be cured with antibiotics. Yet, each year, health care providers in the U.S. prescribe tens of millions of antibiotics for viral infections. To bring attention to this increasing problem, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be observing the Get Smart About Antibiotics Week October 6-10, 2008. The campaign will highlight the coordinated efforts of the agency, states, non-profit partners, and for-profit partners to educate the public about antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.

Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/Study of Latinos (SOL)

The Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/Study of Latinos (SOL) will identify risk factors for cardiovascular and lung disease in Hispanic populations and determine the role of acculturation in the prevalence and development of these diseases. Hispanics, now the largest minority population in the US, are influenced by factors associated with immigration from different cultural settings and environments, including changes in diet, activity, community support, working conditions, and health care access. This project is a multicenter, six-and-a-half year epidemiologic study and will recruit 16,000 Hispanic men and women aged 18-74 in four community-based cohorts in Chicago, Miami, San Diego, and the Bronx. The study will also examine measures of obesity, physical activity, nutritional habits, diabetes, lung and sleep function, cognitive function, hearing, and dental conditions. Closely integrated with the research component will be a community and professional education component, with the goals of bringing the research results back to the community, improving recognition and control of risk factors, and attracting and training Hispanic researchers in epidemiology and population-based research.

Supplementation and AMD: An Update of AREDS and AREDS2

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. The number of individuals affected with AMD, estimated at 1.75 million, is expected to double by 2020, reflecting the fact that the aging population is living longer. With this rapid increase in cases, preventive therapies will become particularly important. One of the preventive strategies that has garnered the most interest in recent years is diet, particularly because a number of studies have implicated a role for nutrition in protecting against AMD. Current Recommendations Until AREDS2 is completed, the current recommendation for patients with bilateral large drusen and those with advanced AMD in one eye is to take the AREDS-type supplements. Patients who are smokers should avoid taking beta-carotene. Any adverse effects, including mortality, in participants taking the various forms of the AREDS-type formulation, as well as those associated with lutein/zeaxanthin and/or omega-3 LCPUFAs, will continued to be monitored. At the conclusion of AREDS2, which is not expected for 5 years at least, we will have more data to address the effects of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 LCPUFAs for the therapy of AMD. From Medscape Ophthalmology AMD Expert Column Series Emily Y. Chew, MD, Author Deputy Director, Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of Major Chronic Diseases

Michael O'Riordan in Heartwire Sticking with any diet is difficult, but the incentives of adhering to the traditional Mediterranean diet are particularly beneficial, a new meta-analysis has shown. Strictly following the Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of dying from cancer and cardiovascular disease as well as the risk of developing Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and investigators say that greater adherence can be a relatively simple tool to reduce the risk of premature death in the general population.

Osteoporosis, osteopenia screening and prevention are best done when we're older

By Susan Brink, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer September 22, 2008 Most healthy women can wait until they are 65 to be checked for bone loss instead of 50. Drug therapy, its long-term effects unknown, can also wait.

Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis Meeting

Times and Dates: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., October 7, 2008. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., October 8, 2008. Place: Corporate Square, Building 8, 1st Floor Conference Room, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone (404) 639-8317. Status: Open to the public, limited only by the space available. The meeting room accommodates approximately 100 people. Agenda items include:

1. issues pertaining to update on nucleic acid amplification guidelines;
2. update on interferon gamma release assays guidelines;
3. update on the isolation guidelines;
4. update on travel restrictions guidelines and
5. other related tuberculosis issues.

The Burden of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly: The Spanish EVAN-65 Study

From BMC Public Health In this study, incidence of CAP increased dramatically with ageing, achieving the highest rate in people aged 85 years or more, where 29 cases per 1,000 person-year were observed. According to sex and age strata, very elderly men are at the greatest risk considering that one episode of CAP can be expected every year for every 25 men aged 85 years or older. Similar trends in the incidence rates stratified by age have been reported in most prior epidemiological studies, considering that the frequent association between increasing age and presence of underlying diseases accounts for an increased morbid-mortality due to CAP in the oldest adults.[17,18,21] It must also be noted that in this study the 30-days case-fatality rate was three fold higher among patients 85 years or older than in patients 65-74 years, which supports the important specific role of age as a predictor of 30-days mortality among patients with CAP, as the pneumonia severity score reflects.[29]

Antipsychotic Drug Use and Risk of Pneumonia in Elderly People

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008;56(4):661-666 In conclusion, these results suggest that use of antipsychotics is associated with greater risk of pneumonia in elderly people. The risk is highest shortly after the initiation of the antipsychotic treatment, and the greatest risk is found in users of atypical agents. The results suggest that antipsychotics should not be overlooked as a potential cause of pneumonia, and although the underlying mechanism remains speculative, clinicians may need to monitor patients for swallowing disorders and sedation. At this time, a careful weighing of the possible risks against the benefits is recommended before starting antipsychotic treatment in elderly people.

Smoking and Cancer

A new report from CDC, Surveillance for Cancers Associated with Tobacco Use — United States, 1999–2004, finds a high rate of tobacco-related cancer among older adults. Results: Approximately 2.4 million cases of tobacco-related cancer were diagnosed during 1999–2004. Age-adjusted incidence rates ranged from 4.0 per 100,000 persons (for AML) to 69.4 (for lung and bronchial cancer). High rates occurred among men, black and non-Hispanic populations, and older adults. Higher incidence rates of lung and laryngeal cancer occurred in the South compared with other regions, particularly the West, consistent with high smoking patterns in the South. Interpretation: The high rates of tobacco-related cancer observed among men, blacks, non-Hispanics, and older adults reflect overall demographic patterns of cancer incidence in the United States and reflect patterns of tobacco use. Public Health Action: The findings in this report emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance and reporting to monitor cancer incidence trends, identify populations at greatest risk for developing cancer related to tobacco use, and evaluate the effectiveness of targeted tobacco control programs and policies.

The Odds It Will Kill You? See New Charts

By NICHOLAS BAKALAR Published: September 2, 2008, New York Times New risk charts provide a broader perspective on the risks associated with 10 different causes of death. Charts