(2021-07-10). [Perspectives] Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu: innovator in mental health. thelancet.com Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu is a rising researcher and clinician doing innovative work in mental health and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. She is a Senior Lecturer and psychiatric epidemiologist in the Department of Psychiatry at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) and head of the consultation—liaison psychiatric service at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Almost a decade ago, she recalls that "around that time, there were researchers who had resolved that Africans cannot comprehend psychotherapy; therefore, they gave persons living with HIV antidepressants as first-line tr…
(2021-07-10). [Perspectives] Premonition ignored. thelancet.com Cholera devastated Hamburg in 1892: there were an estimated 10‚Äà000 deaths in 6 weeks. It was the only German city then affected seriously and it was the last major cholera outbreak in Europe.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] WHO COVID-19 therapeutic guidelines. thelancet.com In response to Nicholas White and colleagues,1 we offer these clarifications. WHO guideline development methods are prespecified,2 abiding by principles for producing trustworthy guidelines. The WHO COVID-19 Therapeutics Guideline Development Group (GDG) is composed of external experts, with geographical representation and gender balance, including COVID-19 survivors, ethicists, and methodologists who are vetted for potential conflicts of interest. The GDG prioritises outcomes and identifies subgroups to be considered for each recommendation, always including age and disease severity (using WHO COVID-19 definitio…
(2021-07-10). [Editorial] COVID-19 in Latin America—emergency and opportunity. thelancet.com Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 25% of recent global infections occurring in the region. Of the top ten countries with the highest death rate globally, eight are from LAC. The deaths from COVID-19 in the region stand at nearly 1.3 million people, but the pandemic will continue to drive excess mortality because of disrupted health services, economic instability, and deepening of existing inequalities. In addition, countries with high levels of infection can result in the emergence of more transmissible and vaccine-resistant variants.
(2021-07-10). [Comment] The Wakley—Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay 2021: the hidden life in medicine. thelancet.com In 2019, The Lancet launched the Wakley—Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay in honour of physician Wu Lien Teh, who led the fight against the plague in the 1910s and pioneered public health in China. This prize gives Chinese health workers an international platform to share their thoughts in their native language.1 Through the prize we hope to enhance relations between doctors and patients, and to improve medical professionalism in China. With the support of Chinese partners such as Peking University People's Hospital, which was founded by Wu Lien Teh, The Lancet has successfully held the Wakley—Wu Lien Teh Prize…
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Addressing the real trajectory of COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean region. thelancet.com Pierre Nabeth and colleagues1 highlight the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region and identify factors that might have contributed to this rise. They identify changes in testing capacity, mass gatherings, decreased adherence to public health measures, and increased transmissibility of new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerging globally.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Addressing the real trajectory of COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean region — Authors' reply. thelancet.com Our Correspondence1 was based on the analysis of available data on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The objectives were to highlight the upsurge in COVID-19 cases since February, 2021, and to alert about the risk of further degradation of the epidemiological situation due to the evolution of key determinants, such as the decreased adherence to public health and social measures, emergence of more transmissible variants, and insufficient vaccination coverage.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Benzodiazepines for the long-term treatment of anxiety disorders? — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We thank Prashant Tibrewal and colleagues for their Correspondence, in which they argue that benzodiazepines are an important medication for refractory anxiety disorders. We agree. We wrote our Seminar1 for a broad clinical readership, and we were particularly careful about treatment recommendations that would apply for general care. Although benzodiazepines might be an option in specialised settings, the risk of inappropriate over-medication potentially leading to long-term use is considerable in primary care, leading to substantial public health problems.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Surviving syndemics — Authors' reply. thelancet.com In a response to our Comment,1 Yudit Namer and Oliver Razum argue that focusing on the vulnerabilities of populations disproportionately affected by HIV rather than their resilience serves to only further marginalise already disadvantaged groups. They posit that an intersectionality of resilience framework would generate the development of more strengths-based community health interventions. Although we agree that there is evidence of great resilience in Black communities, our Comment focused on the social inequities that have required Black communities to be more resilient than other communities to survive.
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Q and A: COVID-19 vaccination and precautions. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am due to get my second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a few weeks. I understand this is an important step for me and my community, but I'm unsure what guidelines I should follow. Some of my friends are traveling, and they seem to have thrown all caution to the wind. What can I expect after being vaccinated for COVID-19, both physically and when in public? ANSWER: It is completely normal to have…
(2021-07-09). How One Union Uses Kitchen Table Economics To Advance Medicare For All. popularresistance.org Using kitchen table economics is critical for winning workers over to Medicare for All. Before this training, members may be wary of trading something they're familiar with for something that's unknown. But in the workshop, they see for themselves that what they have now is robbing them blind—and that Medicare for All would bring them real economic gains. | What threads its way through much of our conversation is that the insurance companies are a big part of why we pay so much for health care. For example, a Center for American Progress study shows that more than 8 percent of U.S. health care spending goes…
(2021-07-09). Scientists demolish "Wuhan lab" conspiracy theory of coronavirus origins. wsws.org On Wednesday, 21 of the world's leading experts on the origins of infectious diseases published a preprint paper demolishing the conspiracy theory promoted by the Biden administration and the US media that COVID-19 was a man-made virus.
(2021-07-09). Guide to safe grilling practices. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday weekend often means gatherings. Keep your gathering safe by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 guidance for activities. If you are looking forward to a weekend cookout, make sure to keep foodborne bacteria and germs off your guest list. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases physician, says warmer temperatures are when foodborne germs thrive and illnesses peak. Watch: Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse talks about safe grilling practices. www.youtube.com/watch?v=19v4oRLW-hw&… Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are…
(2021-07-09). New vaccine platform invented by Mayo enters COVID-19 clinical trial. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A Mayo Clinic lab member is purifying an adenovirus vector for preclinical testing. A novel single-cycle adenovirus vaccine platform developed by Mayo Clinic will be used to target multiple infectious diseases and cancer indications, beginning with a phase 1 clinical study using the platform as a vaccine for COVID-19. Developed to enhance the expression of target antigens, the single-cycle adenovirus platform is under investigation for its ability to amplify immune responses. In contrast to replication-defective…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: The new work-life balancing act. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people work. As vaccination rates increase, some people are returning to the office. But many companies have opted to keep their employees working from home permanently. This change has positive and negative side effects, including the mental health aspects of working from home. "Any time there are changes, it can be challenging for people, particularly when you're not used to working from home," says Dr. Greg Couser, a…
(2021-07-09). What holiday travelers need to know about COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday is a time when many people travel or host summer parties. While the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is on the decline, health experts say with stagnating vaccination rates and the circulation of the more contagious Delta variant, the nation is not out of the woods yet, and everyone should still be cautious if they're planning a trip or getting together in large groups. "Anyone planning to have a…
(2021-07-09). The Duty of Aiding Central Americans. counterpunch.org In 1992, I visited Guatemala on a United Nations-sponsored mission to assess the health situation of Central American refugees and displaced people in Central America. I was in Quetzaltenango, home to many indigenous Mayans. There, I learned a lesson. I had gone to visit the town's historic cathedral when I saw an old Mayan woman
(2021-07-09). On the Picket Line. workers.org 
Municipal workers hit the picket lines Service Employees Union Local 73 announced a strike of 2,000 Cook County, Ill., workers June 25 at Cook County Health Care. Members include clerical workers, civilian workers in the sheriff's office, maintenance and service workers, medical technicians and physician assistants. (Chicago Sun-Times, June 29) . . . |
(2021-07-09). Physicians Have Duty to Confront Exploitative Industry That Employs Them. zcomm.org It is crucial for the care of patients and the movement toward health justice that physicians align as workers and witnesses; if not, we will be complicit in the structural harms we claim to stand against…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic first to use next generation 4D ICE imaging to help patients with structural heart disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic recently became the first to use a next-generation 4D intracardiac echo (ICE) device in patients to guide heart procedures such as left atrial appendage closure, mitral valve repair and treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation. The technology can also help physicians perform procedures without putting patients under general anesthesia. An echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the heart's size, structure and function, as well as detailed images of…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Kidney stones and calcium. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have trouble with kidney stones and recently found out they are calcium oxalate stones. While I have stopped consuming all dairy products, I know that I need calcium as I age for bone health. Would adding in almond milk or another type of plant milk help? How do I take care of both my kidneys and bones? ANSWER: It sounds like your concern about milk and other dairy products is that their calcium may spur…
(2021-07-09). Consumer Health: The importance of sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing for adults and children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org July is UV Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages your skin, and increases your risk of developing skin cancer, wrinkles and age spots. Children are especially vulnerable because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn easily. Here are four ways you can…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Keeping your fingernails in tip-top shape. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have noticed recently that my nails have an unusual color and shape, and I don't understand why. Although I do enjoy gardening, I don't have a job where I use my hands more than normal. I want my nails to be sturdy and healthy-looking. Can you provide some insight on how to achieve this and tips for properly taking care of my nails? ANSWER: For anyone concerned with nail health, the first step…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to pick healthier oils. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Your body needs some fat to function normally. However, not all fats are created equal, and it's wise to choose healthier options whenever possible. Angie Murad, a licensed dietitian and patient educator with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, offers these tips for selecting cooking oils. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/LXCJR38di5E Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0: 59) is in the downloads at the end of…
(2021-07-08). Reported cases of myocarditis in younger men following COVID-19 vaccination are rare; vaccination remains important. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers are taking a close look at rare cases of inflammation of the heart muscle, or myocarditis, in young men who developed symptoms shortly after receiving the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines. Several recent studies suggest that health care professionals should watch for hypersensitivity myocarditis as a rare adverse reaction to being vaccinated for COVID-19. However, researchers stress that this awareness should not…
(2021-07-08). Child mental health crisis 'magnified' by COVID, warns UN chief. news.un.org Half of the world's children experience violence on and offline in some form every year, with "devastating and life-long consequences" for their mental health, the UN chief warned a symposium on the issue on Thursday.
(2021-07-08). Secrecy and Calamity in Australia's Vaccine Rollout. southfront.org 
ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE | Written by Dr. Binoy Kampmark. | With a lamentable, even disgraceful vaccination rate, confusion over how best to deal with the AstraZeneca supply, vague promises about the arrival of other COVID-19 vaccines, and a degree of complacency, half of Australia found itself in lockdown conditions earlier this month. | A good deal of this was occasioned by an outbreak in Australia's largest city in June, which saw the state of New South Wale…
(2021-07-08). WHO Says COVID-19 Vaccine Supplies to Africa Picking Momentum. telesurenglish.net The delivery of COVID-19 vaccine to Africa through COVAX facility, donations and direct purchases from manufacturers has accelerated, hence injecting vitality in the continent's fight against the pandemic, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said Thursday. | RELATED: | Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said that significant progress in vaccine deliveries after a prolonged crunch will boost efforts to suppress a third wave sweepi…
(2021-07-08). Cuban Soberana 02 Vaccines Achieves 91,2% Efficacy. telesurenglish.net Cuban Finally Institute for Vaccines announced on Thursday that the three doses scheme of Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus reached a 91,2 percent efficacy and a 100 percent efficacy against COVID-19 death. | RELATED: | The groundbreaking news places two out of the five Cuban vaccines candidates among the top 5 vaccines worldwide. Both Abdala and Soberana 02 surpassed the World Health Organization requirement of 50 percent effic…
(2021-07-08). Secrecy and Calamity in Australia's Vaccine Rollout. counterpunch.org With a lamentable, even disgraceful vaccination rate, confusion over how best to deal with the AstraZeneca supply, vague promises about the arrival of other COVID-19 vaccines, and a degree of complacency, half of Australia found itself in lockdown conditions earlier this month. A good deal of this was occasioned by an outbreak in Australia's largest
(2021-07-08). How The Phrase "Universal Healthcare" Became Meaningless. zcomm.org By talking about universal healthcare without supporting an actual universal healthcare system, centrist Democrats turn an important demand into an empty marketing slogan…
(2021-07-08). Confronting America's Obscene Military Budget. commondreams.org "Everyone deserves protection from Covid-19," said the People's Vaccine Alliance, "not just the richest."
(2021-07-08). New vaccine platform invented by Mayo enters COVID-19 clinical trial. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A Mayo Clinic lab member is purifying an adenovirus vector for preclinical testing. A novel single-cycle adenovirus vaccine platform developed by Mayo Clinic will be used to target multiple infectious diseases and cancer indications, beginning with a phase 1 clinical study using the platform as a vaccine for COVID-19. Developed to enhance the expression of target antigens, the single-cycle adenovirus platform is under investigation for its ability to amplify immune responses. In contrast to replication-defective…
(2021-07-08). Guide to safe grilling practices. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday weekend often means gatherings. Keep your gathering safe by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 guidance for activities. If you are looking forward to a weekend cookout, make sure to keep foodborne bacteria and germs off your guest list. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases physician, says warmer temperatures are when foodborne germs thrive and illnesses peak. Watch: Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse talks about safe grilling practices. www.youtube.com/watch?v=19v4oRLW-hw&… Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are…
(2021-07-08). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Summer travel and people not in your bubble during COVID-19 pandemic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org "The reason we have the COVID-19 delta variant, the reason we have the delta plus variant is because of unimmunized people who get infected," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. He adds that 99.2% of the recorded COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are in people not vaccinated against the virus. This is why he cautions folks who may be traveling this Fourth of July holiday and…
(2021-07-08). What holiday travelers need to know about COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday is a time when many people travel or host summer parties. While the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is on the decline, health experts say with stagnating vaccination rates and the circulation of the more contagious Delta variant, the nation is not out of the woods yet, and everyone should still be cautious if they're planning a trip or getting together in large groups. "Anyone planning to have a…
(2021-07-08). Mexico Confirms Its Interests in Acquiring Cuban Vaccines. telesurenglish.net On Wednesday, Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) for his interest in acquiring Abdala and Sovereign COVID-19 vaccines, which are developed and produced in the Island. | RELATED: | The AMLO administration gives preference to COVID-19 vaccines that have proven to be highly effective in Phase 2 and 3 of clinical trials. This is the case of the Abdala vaccine, which showed…
(2021-07-08). Friday 7/9: Protect Monterey County Worker Healthcare Rally. indybay.org 1441 Schilling Place, Salinas, CA 93901…
(2021-07-08). The Tokyo Olympics Are In Peril. zcomm.org According to polls, as much as 80 percent of the country does not want to host the games, for fear of it exacerbating this omnipresent public health crisis…
(2021-07-08). Know your HIV status: Get tested. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, a reminder to get tested and know your HIV status. Many people who have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, aren't aware they have it. Early diagnosis allows for early treatment options that may delay the progression to AIDS. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends …
(2021-07-08). Mayo Clinic first to use next generation 4D ICE imaging to help patients with structural heart disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic recently became the first to use a next-generation 4D intracardiac echo (ICE) device in patients to guide heart procedures such as left atrial appendage closure, mitral valve repair and treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation. The technology can also help physicians perform procedures without putting patients under general anesthesia. An echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the heart's size, structure and function, as well as detailed images of…
(2021-07-08). Consumer Health: The importance of sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing for adults and children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org July is UV Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages your skin, and increases your risk of developing skin cancer, wrinkles and age spots. Children are especially vulnerable because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn easily. Here are four ways you can…
(2021-07-08). Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to pick healthier oils. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Your body needs some fat to function normally. However, not all fats are created equal, and it's wise to choose healthier options whenever possible. Angie Murad, a licensed dietitian and patient educator with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, offers these tips for selecting cooking oils. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/LXCJR38di5E Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0: 59) is in the downloads at the end of…
(2021-07-08). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Kidney stones and calcium. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have trouble with kidney stones and recently found out they are calcium oxalate stones. While I have stopped consuming all dairy products, I know that I need calcium as I age for bone health. Would adding in almond milk or another type of plant milk help? How do I take care of both my kidneys and bones? ANSWER: It sounds like your concern about milk and other dairy products is that their calcium may spur…
(2021-07-08). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Keeping your fingernails in tip-top shape. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have noticed recently that my nails have an unusual color and shape, and I don't understand why. Although I do enjoy gardening, I don't have a job where I use my hands more than normal. I want my nails to be sturdy and healthy-looking. Can you provide some insight on how to achieve this and tips for properly taking care of my nails? ANSWER: For anyone concerned with nail health, the first step…
(2021-07-08). Are sunglasses necessary? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Children spend a lot of time outside enjoying going to the pool, taking part in sports or just outdoor playtime. Likely, they are outside with sunscreen to protect their skin. But a question that sparks a lot of interest from parent centers around eye protection and sunglasses. Mayo Clinic Health System providers say children receive …
(2021-07-08). Science Saturday: New technique to study 'microcancers' and screen cancer-fighting drugs. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A team from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Grainger College of Engineering and Mayo Clinic have developed a new technique for creating "microcancer" cell cultures. It allows researchers to form hundreds of microcancers in a high-throughput format using a small, microfabricated chip, enabling direct measurement of cell health or response to drugs. It also allows …
(2021-07-08). [Research Paper] ROCCA observational study: Early results on safety of Sputnik V vaccine (Gam-COVID-Vac) in the Republic of San Marino using active surveillance. thelancet.com Our results, albeit preliminary, suggest that Sputnik V has a high tolerability profile in the population aged ‚â•60 years in terms of short-term AEFIs.
(2021-07-08). Israel detains Dr. Shatha Odeh of the Palestinian Health Work Committees. peoplesdispatch.org The detention of Dr. Shatha Odeh comes a month after Israel ordered her organization, the Health Work Committees, to cease functioning. Dr. Odeh is also the regional coordinator of the People's Health Movement…