Of the 11 dietary factors considered, three had an outsized contribution to the rising global incidence of type 2 diabetes: Insufficient whole grains, excesses of refined rice and wheat, and the overconsumption of processed meat. Factors such as drinking too much fruit juice and not eating enough non-starchy vegetables, nuts, or seeds had less impact on new disease cases.

Findings from the analysis which looked at data from 1990 and 2018, inform nutritional priorities and clinical and public health planning to improve dietary quality and reduce T2D globally. 

The model developed by researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University estimated that poor diet contributed to over 14.1 million cases of type 2 diabetes in 2018, representing over 70% of new diagnoses globally. The analysis provides valuable insight into which dietary factors drive type 2 diabetes burden by world region. The study was published April 17 in the journal Nature Medicine. 

“Our study suggests poor carbohydrate quality is a leading driver of diet-attributable type 2 diabetes globally, and with important variation by nation and over time,” says senior author Dariush Mozaffarian, Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition dean for policy at the Friedman School. “These new findings reveal critical areas for national and global focus to improve nutrition and reduce devastating burdens of diabetes.”

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the resistance of the body’s cells to insulin. Of the 184 countries included in the Nature Medicine study, all saw an increase in type 2 diabetes cases between 1990 and 2018, representing a growing burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.

The research team based their model on information from the Global Dietary Database, along with population demographics from multiple sources, global type 2 diabetes incidence estimates, and data on how food choices impact people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes from multiple published papers.

The analysis revealed that poor diet is causing a larger proportion of total type 2 diabetes incidence in men versus women, in younger versus older adults, and in urban versus rural residents at the global level.

Regionally, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia-particularly in Poland and Russia, where diets tend to be rich in red meat, processed meat, and potatoes —had the greatest number of type 2 diabetes cases linked to diet. Incidence was also high in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in Colombia and Mexico, which was credited to high consumption of sugary drinks, processed meat, and low intake of whole grains.

Regions where diet had less of an impact on type 2 diabetes cases included South Asia and Sub-Sharan Africa-though the largest increases in type 2 diabetes due to poor diet between 1990 and 2018 were observed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 30 most populated countries studied, India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia had the fewest case of type 2 diabetes related to unhealthy eating.

“Left unchecked and with incidence only projected to rise, type 2 diabetes will continue to impact population health, economic productivity, health care system capacity, and drive health inequities worldwide,” says first author Meghan O’Hearn. She conducted this research while a PhD candidate at the Friedman School and currently works as Impact Director for Food Systems for the Future, a non-profit institute and for-profit fund that enables innovative food and agriculture enterprises to improve nutrition outcomes for underserved and low-income communities measurably. “These findings can help inform nutritional priorities for clinicians, policymakers, and private sector actors as they encourage healthier dietary choices that address this global epidemic.”

Other recent studies have estimated that 40% of type 2 diabetes cases globally are attributed to suboptimal diet, lower than the 70% reported in the Nature Medicine paper. The research team attributes this to the new information in their analysis, such as the first ever inclusion of refined grains, which was one of the top contributors to diabetes burdens; and updated data on dietary habits based on national individual-level dietary surveys, rather than agricultural estimates. The investigators also note that they presented the uncertainty of these new estimates, which can continue to be refined as new data emerges.

Reference:

O’Hearn, M., Lara-Castor, L., Cudhea, F. et al. Incident type 2 diabetes attributable to suboptimal diet in 184 countries. Nat Med (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02278-8.

we need a vaccine. However, this has proved to be probably the toughest vaccine scientists have worked to create,” Paul A. Volberding, MD, Infectious Disease News Chief Medical Editor

(AlJazeera) – Air pollution impacts every stage of human life from foetal development and the cognitive abilities of teenagers to adult mental health, according to a report that synthesises the findings of more than 35,000 studies from around the world.

The Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London published the review on Monday of a decade of scientific studies into air pollution.

The London university team looked at findings from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution, the Royal College of Physicians, the Health Effects Institute and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

“The most important new finding is evidence related to both the impact of air pollution on brain health, including mental health and dementia, and early life impacts that could lead to future health burdens within the population,” the report said.

“Both represent significant, but currently unquantified costs to society and the economy,” it added.

The review found links between air pollution and the health of newborns in the first weeks of life, birth weight, miscarriages and stillbirths.

The fetus could be vulnerable because a mother might inhale air pollution particles, leading to adverse effects on development, the report read.

Chemicals associated with pollution can enter a pregnant woman’s blood, altering its flow, which could potentially slow or delay foetal growth.

More than 20 million babies with low birth weights are born every year and more than 15 million are born prematurely, according to the WHO.

But the impact of air pollution on reproductive health is not restricted to the mother. Lower volumes of sperm are also seen in men exposed to air pollution.

Meanwhile, another study mentioned in the report suggests “exposure to particle pollution” increases the risk of developing dementia and accelerates cognitive decline.

Recent studies also showed that air pollution could hamper lung growth in children, affect their blood pressure and impact their cognitive and mental health.

The experts at Imperial said research on 2,000 children aged eight and nine found “on average, a child had lost around 5 percent of their expected lung volume because of the air pollution that they breathed.”

“This effect was most clearly linked with exposure to NO2 [nitrogen oxide], which is often used as a tracer for the diesel exhaust emissions,” their report said.

The report also found that air pollution causes asthma.

From 2017 to 2019, a study by Imperial College London estimated that London’s poor air quality led to more than 1,700 hospital admissions for asthma and serious lung conditions.

“This was 7 percent of all asthma admissions in children in the capital,” the report said.

The review also showed that exposure to air pollution can increase cardiac death, stroke risk and the development of cardiovascular disease later in life.

A European study considered stroke in nearly 100,000 people over a 10-year period and found some evidence of an association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 – which are very small air pollution particles that can pass beyond the nose and throat and enter the respiratory system – and stroke, especially among people over 60.

The post Air pollution impacts every stage of human life, report finds appeared first on Barbados Today.

Mignott, DNP, MSc, FNP, RN, discusses the results of her award-winning poster presentation at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings.After identifying a gap in requisite knowledge and current guidelines for chronic kidney disease among nurses at a teaching and referral hospital in Jamaica, Mignott and colleagues conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study design to determine a solution. Researchers held an educational presentation for nurses and had attendees complete a questionnaire before and after class. Analyses revealed a

The symposium focuses on violence as a health issue

View the full post PM attends regional symposium on crime and violence on NOW Grenada.

MANY times, a patient may go to the doctor with symptoms of an infection. The doctor listens, examines, and confirms the infection, but the doctor doesn't write any antibiotics on the prescription.

What?? How can that doctor NOT give you any antibiotics? That's crazy, right?

It's not crazy at all.

Antibiotics are a type of medication that treats bacterial infections. There are several different types of germs that can cause various infections; these include bacteria, viruses, fungus and parasites. Each type of infection is treated with a different class of medication. Bacterial infections are treated by antibiotics but the infections caused by other germs cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Infections caused by viruses include the common cold, flu, stomach bug, and COVID-19. Fungal infections are ringworm, athlete's foot, and yeast infections. "Worm out" medications are to treat parasites. Antibiotics will not work on any of these.

In fact, taking antibiotics when it is not needed has proven to be dangerous. Decades of improper and unnecessary use of antibiotics has caused super bugs to develop. These super bugs are resistant to many antibiotics, are very difficult to treat, and have resulted in thousands of deaths across the globe.

That is why it is so important for you to complete the course of antibiotics if prescribed.

Picture this — the bacteria are little germs with swords and bats running around your body wreaking havoc. Your immune system sends fighter cells to defend your body. The antibiotics bring reinforcements: they have bigger swords and start killing the bacteria. But even though the bacteria are fighting your body, they are also multiplying. It's the ones that have survived the first few days of the antibiotics that are the strongest and multiply to produce more bacteria. If you stop the antibiotics before the course is complete (for example when you start to feel better), you leave behind those bacteria that have survived and now know how to resist the antibiotics. Those germs will multiply. But now they won't have swords any more, now they have guns, grenades and heavy armour. These germs may now be resistant to antibiotics!

So if you get sick again when these super germs multiply, or you spread these germs to your loved ones, it's possible that the antibiotics prescribed won't work because of antibiotic resistance. You end up having to be admitted to the hospital to be treated with intravenous (through the "drip") antibiotics for weeks. Or worse!

When a doctor prescribes antibiotics for your child, we prescribe the exact amount the child needs based on age, weight and condition. The dose and length for treatment of an ear infection may be different from that of a bladder infection, even though it is the same drug.

Don't be discouraged when you don't see the effects of antibiotics on the first day as it usually takes two to three days of antibiotics before you start feeling better and your symptoms start to improve. If you don't see any improvement after three to four completed days, please go back to your doctor.

Try not to skip a dose. First, don't beat yourself up about it. Life happens. It's okay! If a dose is missed, take that dose as soon as possible. If the entire course of antibiotics requires 14 doses over seven days, try as best as possible to take all 14 doses.

If for whatever reason you missed three to four doses consecutively, it's very likely that the antibiotics may not work as effectively as you would hope. This is also why you shouldn't share antibiotics. You shouldn't have enough medication to effectively treat more than one person because doctors prescribe only the exact amount patients need.

Most liquid antibiotics have a limited shelf life. That means that after a certain time (usually 10-14 days) the medication loses its effectiveness so don't store any leftover antibiotics for another time. After the course is complete, throw the remainder away.

Dr Tal's Tidbit

Antibiotics treat only bacterial infections. They don't cure common infections caused by other kinds of germs like the flu or a stomach bug. Taking antibiotics incorrectly or unnecessarily causes antibiotic resistance.

Dr Taleya Girvan has over a decade's experience treating children at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, working in the accident and emergency department and paediatric cardiology department. Her goal is to use the knowledge she has gained to improve the lives of patients by increasing knowledge about the health care system in Jamaica. Dr Tal's Tidbits is a series in which she speaks to patients and caregivers, providing practical advice that will improve health care for the general population. Email: dr.talstidbits@gmail.com IG @dr.tals_tidbits

Even though CVD prevalence has risen globally, a disproportionate rise in CVD has been noted in low- and middle-income countries like Jamaica. While paying attention to prevention and maintaining ideal cardiovascular health is essential, we must now design proactive mechanisms for prompt response to acute and critical cardiovascular events that often lead to catastrophic outcomes in the absence of timely and proper intervention.

When individuals present with chest pain or similar symptoms it may signify underlying CVD and, possibly, an evolving acute event. While chest pain may not always be life-threatening, it is impossible to know without comprehensive evaluation by trained professionals. It would be unwise, therefore, to assume otherwise until a thorough assessment is performed. Comprehensive evaluation must be done urgently. Many individuals with chest pain, including those with heart attacks, are still delaying seeking care that could save their lives because of difficulties in accessing necessary care, either due to logistical or financial challenges. It is time to put an end to the unnecessary deaths and disabilities that result from delayed and inappropriate responses to cardiovascular disease and its complications. Delays in treatment can be very costly in money and life, but early intervention saves lives.

Are you at risk for a heart attack?

Key risk factors for heart diseases, including heart attacks, are: being of an age greater than 55, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and family history. While individuals with multiple risk factors are at a higher risk for a heart attack, most individuals presenting with their first heart attack do not have multiple risk factors at the time of presentation. This means that you can also have a heart attack even if you are not aware of having risks such an episode. Therefore, it is essential to remain vigilant and respond appropriately if you or your loved ones experience symptoms suggesting the possibility of an acute cardiac event.

Where do you go for medical evaluation of chest pain or potential heart attack?

Home remedy is ineffective for chest pains or an acute cardiac event. All patients with chest pain or acute cardiac complaints should seek care from competent health-care professionals, preferably in facilities with adequate personnel and infrastructure for heart care and with a sense of urgency in addressing cardiovascular complaints. The choice of provider and facility for evaluating and treating your chest pain or cardiac complaint must be intentional as it may be the most critical decision that will determine the outcome of your care. Why? Because time is vital when chest pain has to do with the heart or major vessels. Delays could lead to death or severe complications, while a speedy and appropriate response will save lives and, most likely, avert significant complications.

Cost concerns impede universal access and timely intervention in heart care. Access and affordability are major barriers to timely and appropriate cardiovascular care delivery, especially for patients with acute coronary or other cardiac syndromes for whom timely intervention and comprehensive care are imperative.

Suppose we accept the universal doctrine that all lives are sacred and should be preserved at all costs? In that case, we must evolve mechanisms to align with this doctrine despite the cost and logistical challenges that impede access to care.

Health-care access is the ability to obtain needed care in a timely manner. This is critical in patients with acutely life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, especially in developing countries like Jamaica. Given the rise in chronic diseases, the increasing use of technology, and the ageing of our population, the economic cost of appropriate care is a huge problem. About 7,500 heart attacks occur each year in Jamaica, and many will not survive unless timely intervention is initiated. Our public hospitals receive many heart attack patients, and most of these facilities lack the infrastructure, resources, or human capital to respond to heart attack patients effectively.

For the private sector to play a meaningful role in improving access to care, critical factors that impede access must be eliminated. Any structure that delays or denies access to care is an impediment to care. The centrepiece of what we do as physicians must be the patient, which means all patients — not just a few. This is the basis of inclusive care and health equity.

Current health-care financing mechanisms in Jamaica do not offer adequate protection for patients faced with cardiovascular emergencies. In light of this, the Heart Institute of the Caribbean wishes to embark on a bold HIC Save A Life Programme initiative to fill the gap and ensure that most patients with acute cardiovascular emergencies have timely access to appropriate care.

The HIC Save a Life Programme is sponsored by the HIC Foundation to assist patients with acute coronary syndromes (including heart attack and unstable chest pain or angina) who urgently need life-saving treatment. This comprehensive heart care package is offered at a low, all-inclusive cost to ensure that patients with heart attacks and acute coronary syndromes get immediate access and timely intervention to save lives and avert complications.

Package includes:

Free ambulance pick-up from Kingston and St Andrew, Portmore and Spanish Town

Initial cardiology consultation

Electrocardiogram

Continuous cardiac monitoring

Cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiogram

Coronary angioplasty with drug-eluting stent

All surgeon's and technical fees

All operating room charges

All nursing and technical fees

All surgical consumables and medications

Two to three days' admission in the ICU or telemetry at no cost

All patient meals and medications while admitted

Free, unlimited cardiology consultations for 60 days after discharge

Availability 24/7.

To learn more or to take advantage of this offer, we encourage individuals to call the Heart Institute of the Caribbean at 876-906-2105 to 2108.

Today's key takeaway message in our article is that chest pain or other acute cardiac complaints can and will kill if proper and timely intervention is not initiated. Furthermore, we have now taken a bold step to open access to individuals with acute cardiac complaints so as to minimise the logistical and financial challenges.

Dr Ernest Madu, MD, FACC and Dr Paul Edwards, MD, FACC are consultant cardiologists for the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) and HIC Heart Hospital. HIC is the regional centre of excellence for cardiovascular care in the English-speaking Caribbean and has pioneered a transformation in the way cardiovascular care is delivered in the region. HIC Heart Hospital is registered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and is the only heart hospital in Jamaica. Send correspondence to
info@caribbeanheart.com
or call 876-906-2107.

The Minister of Health, Daniel Rivera, said: “Health is happiness, what is sadness is illness. This day comes to celebrate a change of lifestyle, here there are more than 30 services available to the community so that they can take advantage, approach and know how their health is, because prevention is paramount”.

The official said that in this province, the study on Overweight, Obesity, Diabetes, and Hypertension (Sodhip) showed as a result 33.2% in hypertension, overweight and obesity 75.1% (above the national average of 72%), and 10.4% in hyperglycemia.

He said this demarcation has high indicators. Therefore, they must work to change and care for their health, avoiding diseases.

Rivera urged citizens to practice sports or physical activities, eat healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables, and reduce sugar, salt, and saturated fat consumption so that, in the long term, they can avoid chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

From the early morning hours, the minister offered general consultation, cardiometabolic evaluation, orientations, and referrals to those seeking medical attention.

“Prevention, promotion and education is what can benefit a country the most and lead it to be healthy. We want everyone to participate in the Health Route, here there are more than 35 services, thanks to the people who have come from all over West Santiago and for joining us,” he said.

On his side, the president of the Senate of the Republic, Eduardo Estrella, congratulated this action and highlighted the importance of the investment in the Health sector that the Government is making.

“It is an honor to be in this activity, the 21st, precisely in Santiago Oeste, where President Abinader has put his eyes, he has put them on the health sector in the Dominican Republic. The proof is the investment in medicines that is being made, more than 7 million 200 thousand Dominicans affiliated to the Health Insurance, the investment in repair and reconstruction of hospitals, which were left in neglect, that is called investing in the people, in the lowest, that is to defend the Dominican people, that is why this day is not only palliative but preventive,” said Estrella.

Meanwhile, the Civil Governor of Santiago, Rosa Santos, said that changing habits is a complex but necessary act.

“This activity is to change our physical condition and to be able to perform daily activities, which aims to strengthen the health of the Dominican people, so, I call for them to support and take advantage of these services that are here for their improvement, because today health is in our territory,” she said.

Among the authorities who gave support to this version are: the executive director of the National Health Insurance (Senasa), Santiago Hazim; Adolfo Pérez, director of Promese; Marieta Díaz, regional director of Education; Ulises Rodríguez, general director of Proindustria; Samuel Azcona, regional director of the Cibao Central National Police; Andrés Cueto, general manager of Edenorte, among other personalities.

According to Public Health, more than 170,000 Dominican families have been impacted through the different editions of the Health Routes and their services, which include: pediatrics, dentistry, general medicine, gynecology, ophthalmology, as well as clinical laboratory, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, glycemia, mammography, sonomammography, sonography, prostate evaluation, and PSA tests, blood typing and donation, Senasa carding and delivery of medicines.

View the full post Raising minimum wage to alleviate food insecurity on NOW Grenada.