(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Chinese medical personnel after the COVID-19 pandemic. thelancet.com As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end in China,1 medical personnel who have worked tirelessly to fight the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant are now facing a new challenge. Despite their heroic efforts, many of them are now struggling to receive the financial compensation they deserve.2…
(2023-03-24). Yes, we can stop patents getting in the way of TB treatment. peoplesdispatch.org 
A day ahead of World TB Day, the Indian Patent Office rejected pharma giant Jannsen's application for a patent extension on drug bedaquiline. If the patent had been extended, public and family budgets would have remained burdened by unjustifiably high costs of the drug…
(2023-03-25). Know the signs of strep throat in children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Image courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infections in children. "Group A streptococcal disease is a group of conditions caused by a bacteria called 'group A strep,'" says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "The one that people are probably most familiar with is strep throat. Strep throat is a relatively common infection,…
(2023-03-25). Consumer Health: Are you at risk for MS? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MS Awareness Week will be observed March 12—19, which makes this a good time to learn about who might be at risk of developing this potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects nearly 1 million people living in the U.S., according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. With MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic Minute: Are you using a salt substitute? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Salt substitutes can be an effective way to help lower your blood pressure and fight heart disease. But experts warn that overuse of certain salt substitutes or alternatives can be dangerous for some people. Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains why you should use caution with using a salt substitute. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/h_cy5G5EBPs Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 00) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic cancer expert highlights advancements in treating multiple myeloma. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — March is Myeloma Awareness Month, and Sikander Ailawadhi, M.D., hematologist/oncologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares details about new advancements in research leading to better outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon form of blood cancer in the bone marrow that affects less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to the American Cancer Society. While there is no cure, the disease can be treated with…
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Chinese medical personnel after the COVID-19 pandemic. thelancet.com As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end in China,1 medical personnel who have worked tirelessly to fight the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant are now facing a new challenge. Despite their heroic efforts, many of them are now struggling to receive the financial compensation they deserve.2…
(2023-03-24). Yes, we can stop patents getting in the way of TB treatment. peoplesdispatch.org A day ahead of World TB Day, the Indian Patent Office rejected pharma giant Jannsen's application for a patent extension on drug bedaquiline. If the patent had been extended, public and family budgets would have remained burdened by unjustifiably high costs of the drug…
(2023-03-25). Know the signs of strep throat in children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Image courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infections in children. "Group A streptococcal disease is a group of conditions caused by a bacteria called 'group A strep,'" says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "The one that people are probably most familiar with is strep throat. Strep throat is a relatively common infection,…
(2023-03-25). Consumer Health: Are you at risk for MS? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MS Awareness Week will be observed March 12—19, which makes this a good time to learn about who might be at risk of developing this potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects nearly 1 million people living in the U.S., according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. With MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic Minute: Are you using a salt substitute? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Salt substitutes can be an effective way to help lower your blood pressure and fight heart disease. But experts warn that overuse of certain salt substitutes or alternatives can be dangerous for some people. Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains why you should use caution with using a salt substitute. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/h_cy5G5EBPs Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 00) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic cancer expert highlights advancements in treating multiple myeloma. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — March is Myeloma Awareness Month, and Sikander Ailawadhi, M.D., hematologist/oncologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares details about new advancements in research leading to better outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon form of blood cancer in the bone marrow that affects less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to the American Cancer Society. While there is no cure, the disease can be treated with…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic Minute: Can the MIND diet improve brain health? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org You might be hearing more about the MIND diet of late. A recent study has added to the evidence that the diet, which includes a variety of brain-friendly foods, may help protect against Alzheimer's disease. In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Angie Murad, a registered dietitian and nutritionist and patient educator at Mayo Clinic, explains the benefits of incorporating foods included in the MIND diet. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/hoPg4bkKemQ Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 01) is…
(2023-03-24). Over 10 million in Pakistan lack access to safe drinking water. peoplesdispatch.org Six months after catastrophic floods devastated one-third of Pakistan, a large number of people have no alternative but to use and drink potentially disease-ridden water. Tens of thousands of impoverished, hungry children are fighting a losing battle against acute malnutrition and water-borne diseases, says UNICEF…
(2023-03-24). How Mexico's epidemic of murdered journalists is an ominous warning to the press everywhere. therealnews.com 
Over 100,000 people have been disappeared in the course of the destructive drug war waged in Mexico over the past two decades. Among the deceased are more than 150 journalists murdered for their work to expose the dense network of corruption and violence that links government officials, police, and the military with organized crime. The case of Regina Martinez, an investigative journalist assassinated in her home in the state of Veracruz in 2012, is emblematic of this war being waged against the press.
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Nigeria's National Mental Health Act 2021: any challenges ahead? thelancet.com Although mental health problems are widespread in many African nations, they rarely receive the attention they merit. Stigmatisation is a prevalent factor that makes patients reluctant to seek mental health care in most African countries. As knowledge about mental health increased, some African countries, such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia, began passing legislation and laws to safeguard the rights of individuals who have mental health problems. In 1916, Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, enacted its first mental health legislation, which was called the Lunacy Ordinance.
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Synthetic data: the future of open-access health-care datasets? thelancet.com In modern health care, medical datasets are increasingly being used to improve patient care, including through population health analysis and the development of diagnostic machine learning algorithms. This trend has been a key driver for the development of open-access datasets, giving researchers access to local or national data shared by different institutions. Open-access data can be used to train machine learning algorithms on diverse datasets that have been carefully curated, or to test algorithms that have already been trained by researchers elsewhere to assess their performance when applied to new data.
(2023-03-25). [Correspondence] Ordinal outcomes add value to clinical trials. thelancet.com We have read with interest Jason Weatherald and colleagues'1 review of novel approaches for achieving more efficient pulmonary arterial hypertension trials. Indeed, the challenge lies in defining meaningful outcomes that are relevant to patients, health-care professionals, and society and also allow for trials that can change clinical practice but require low patient numbers.
(2023-03-25). Consumer Health: Nutritional needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Nutrition Month, which makes this a good time to learn about your nutritional needs during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. During pregnancy, the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. However, a few nutrients in a pregnancy diet deserve special attention. The nutrients to pay special attention to while you're pregnant include: CalciumYou and your baby need calcium for strong…
(2023-03-25). Science Saturday: New standards and open access can help natural language processing. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Clinical notes in medical records are rich sources of data about human health. But tapping them for medical research can be challenging because these data come from various sources — and they all look different. "There's no standardization in how data is organized and classified across medical records systems," says Sunyang Fu, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic biomedical informatics researcher. Even the language people use to talk about health can insert discrepancies in how data are…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic Minute: How is kidney cancer treated? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org More than 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year. Risks factors for developing this type of cancer include environmental exposures, such as smoking, high blood pressure, a history of kidney failure, obesity or not having a healthy weight. And there are also hereditary syndromes that may increase your risk for kidney cancer. Dr. Thai Ho, a Mayo Clinic oncologist who specializes in genitourinary malignancies, says there are no screening tests…
(2023-03-25). Pelvic floor issues aren't just a woman's health condition, Kegels can work for men, too. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org LA CROSSE, Wis. — Women often are told about the importance of Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles. It turns out that men should think about doing the exercises as well. Statistics show that 32% of women will have at least one pelvic floor disorder (PFD) at one time in their life. However, a recent study suggests that although much attention is directed toward women pelvic floor disorders, 16% of men have also been identified…
(2023-03-25). Mayo Clinic opens patient information office in Indonesia. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org JAKARTA, Indonesia — Mayo Clinic has opened a patient information office in Jakarta to assist patients, their families, referring physicians and insurance brokers in Indonesia. The office is Mayo Clinic's first in Southeast Asia. The office staff, fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and English, will help patients, their families and physicians who refer patients to make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. "We…
(2023-03-25). Ready to Run: Mayo Clinic Health System gives tips on planning for a long race. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org MANKATO, Minn. — You've thought about it for years. You've dreamed of crossing the finish line. It's on your bucket list, or maybe it's become a tradition. You've registered for a long-distance race like a 5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon. So now's the time to plan and prepare for your big day. This critical process will be shaped by your experience and fitness level. First, get real and be honest with yourself. It can take…
(2023-03-25). [Comment] Offline: The XX paradox. thelancet.com "Women and Black researchers are less likely to hold multiple NIH grants." "Female scientists miss out on career advances abroad." "Time stands still for white male dons of Oxford." Three recent headlines from Science, Nature, and The Times. Despite The Lancet's proclamation in 2019 that "Feminism is for everybody", the truth is that women remain excluded from many of the most senior roles in medicine and global health. An important report published by Women in Global Health last week—The State of Women and Leadership in Health—sets out the gap between words and deeds.
(2023-03-25). U.S. NATO contingent in Europe: dancing for WWIII. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com U.S. Army Europe and AfricaMarch 16, 2023 66th Military Intelligence Brigade hosts women's health panel U.S. Army Lt. Col. Erica Kane, commander, Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic, Regional Health Command-Europe, speaks about women's health and putting people first during a Women's Health Question and Answer Panel….
(2023-03-25). [World Report] Pope Francis and health. thelancet.com On his election 10 years ago, Pope Francis was hailed as a voice of modernisation. Has his papacy made a difference to health? Sima Barmania and Michael Reiss report.
(2023-03-25). [World Report] The health consequences of crowd-control weapons. thelancet.com Two new reports outline how the increasingly indiscriminate use of weapons such as rubber bullets, tear gas, and batons on protestors is harming health and human rights. Talha Burki reports.
(2023-03-24). Fight for Venezuelan diplomat's freedom intensifies due to health concerns. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – It has now been more than 1000 days since Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab was first kidnapped by the U.S. government on the island of Cabo Verde, off the west coast of Africa. Since then, he's been subjected to physical, psychological and chemical torture and moved to a federal detention center in Miami, Florida. | Two members of Minnesota's Anti-War Committee met with Saab's wife, Camilla Fabri Saab, on Tuesday, March 7, alongside a delegation from the Alliance for Global Justice and progressive lawyers with the Free Alex Saab Movement. Camilla, Fabri Saab, mother to their two young daug…
(2023-03-24). Fifth annual assessment of air pollution ranks cities, nations and regions around the world. nationofchange.org The study confirmed that only six countries met the World Health Organization's (WHO) updated safe levels of the deadly air pollutant, particulate matter (PM) 2.5.
(2023-03-24). How 250 young workers on food stamps brought a billion-dollar institution to heel. peoplesworld.org 
PHILADELPHIA—Last week, the Temple University Graduate Student Association (TUGSA) ended a historic 42-day strike by overwhelmingly ratifying a contract that included far more than the Temple administration ever insisted it would give. The union faced unprecedented retaliation, persevering as members' healthcare was manually shut off by their employer twice and tuition fees were charged to …
(2023-03-24). Alex Saab's Life Is in Danger (Statement by Puerto Rican Activists). orinocotribune.com By àìscar López Rivera, Luis Rosa Pérez, Adolfo Matos Antorgiorgi — Mar 23, 2023 | The Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab, is still imprisoned in the prisons of the United States of America. His health has deteriorated. His life is in danger. We urge you to join the campaign for his immediate release. | As Puerto Ricans who love justice and freedom, we demand that the government of the United States of America immediately release Alex Saab. | It has been two years and eight months since the US government kidnapped Alex Saab in a gross violation of human rights and international law. The kidnapping and imp…
(2023-03-24). Headlines for March 24, 2023. democracynow.org Netanyahu Shielded from Charges as Protests Rage Against Far-Right Judicial Reforms, Millions Join General Strike in France After Macron Uses Executive Fiat to Slash Pensions, Biden and Trudeau to Announce Deal to Block Asylum Seekers at U.S. Northern Border, U.S. Warplanes Strike Syria After Drone Attack on U.S. Base Kills Contractor, Indian Opposition MP Rahul Gandhi Jailed for Criticizing Modi, House Panel Grills TikTok CEO as Progressives Warn Against Anti-Chinese Scapegoating, Utah Passes Law Requiring Parental Consent for Minors Using Social Media, GA and IA Ban Healthcare for Trans Youth; World Athletics B…
(2023-03-24). Bill Gates and the WHO Want a "Global Health Emergency Corps" globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-24). The international pseudo-left and the lifting of Zero-COVID in China: Part 2. wsws.org The pseudo-left's hostility to public health and support for imperialism found its sharpest expression in their demand—echoing that of the Western corporate media and political establishment—that China abandon its Zero-COVID strategy.
(2023-03-24). UK: RCN union tries to defend National Health Service sellout deal as nurses rebel. wsws.org Union leaders have begun an operation framed as a "dialogue" designed to pressure members into accepting a rotten deal.
(2023-03-25). Masking for COVID-19 mitigation and safety is anti-capitalist solidarity. workers.org 
On Feb. 6, the Boston branch of Workers World Party collectively decided and unanimously voted, prompted by young and disabled comrades and candidates, to reaffirm our Party's position of solidarity with our class regarding the pandemic with the resolution below, explaining the branch's masking protocols to the movement. Members and . . . |
(2023-03-24). White House to shut down COVID response task force. wsws.org Eliminating the task force is part of the overall Biden administration policy of claiming the pandemic is "over," even though COVID-19 continues to kill thousands of Americans every week.