A widespread cholera outbreak, under-resourced and under-staffed health system, and inadequate access to safe drinking water and hygiene are threatening the wellbeing of thousands of Zimbabweans. As of 9 December, 16 141 suspected cases of cholera and 775 resultant deaths (case fatality rate of 4.8%) had been recorded since August in two-thirds of the country's 62 districts.
San Diego Addresses Obesity, Diabetes Among American Indians
Health care professionals and educators in the San Diego area held a conference last week to focus on obesity and diabetes among American Indians, particularly children, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
In San Diego County, nearly one-third of American Indians ages five to 19 were obese in 2004, compared with 25% of the general population, according to the Union-Tribune. Diabetes, particularly type 2, is linked to obesity.
Surge in older cancer survivors expected as baby boomers age
Oncologists, geriatricians, primary care providers increasingly challenged to provide timely and appropriate post-treatment care to older cancer survivors.
The United States could be faced with a national health care crisis in the coming decades as the country's baby boomer population ages and a growing number of older adults find themselves diagnosed with and living longer with cancer.
CDC Releases Data On HIV Transmission Rates In US
CDC in a research letter published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes released updated estimates of HIV transmission rates in the U.S., Reuters reports. According to the letter -- written by researchers from CDC and Johns Hopkins University -- the HIV transmission rate in the U.S. has decreased by 89% since 1984 and 33% since 1997.
Namibia Launches HIV/AIDS Booster Packs For Teachers
Namibia's Ministry of Education has made immune system booster packs part of its efforts to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS on the education sector in the country, the Namibian/AllAfrica.com reports. The packs aim to ensure that teachers and other education ministry employees who are living with HIV have strong immune systems, enabling antiretroviral therapy to be more effective.
Genetic Test For Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Launched
Axial Biotech, Inc. announced today the commercial launch of a new DNA-based test that indicates the likelihood of progression to a severe curve for children diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).
This new molecular diagnostic tool marks a major advancement in which medical treatments can be personalized to patients diagnosed with this deforming disease. The test will be marketed under the name of ScoliScore AIS Prognostic Test.
Overweight Siblings Of Diabetes Children With Usually Have Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels
Overweight siblings of children with type 2 diabetes are four times more likely to have abnormal glucose levels compared to other overweight children. Because abnormal glucose levels may indicate risk for diabetes or diabetes itself, these children could benefit from screening tests and diabetes prevention education.
Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia published their findings today in the online edition of the Journal of Pediatrics.
