Archive for November, 2011
The G20 Summit and Global Nutrition: What the International Community Brings to the Table
At the sixth annual G20 Summit this November in Cannes, France, heads of state gathered to discuss the global financial system and the Greek bailout crisis. In the final declaration published at the conclusion of the meeting, G20 members also promised to improve transparency and stability of global food commodities markets. But not represented at the G20 summit were the nations which stand most to loose in increasingly volatile food markets: low-income nations.
Online Edition, Part Two!
The second round of articles by our online columnists is now up! Please click the image to read more about current global health news.
Electronic Health Systems: Good for Health, Sanity, and the Environment Too
Shaira Bhanji Global Health Finance Columnist Paper records, the optimal means by which to capitalize on human error, characterize most current medical information systems. The results are incorrectly prescribed drugs, service delays, and lost files, which together eat about 30-50 percent of U.S. healthcare spending—a hefty $1 trillion per year.[1] Unbeknownst to many, medical errors [...]
Secondary Education for Females: A Primary Way to Prevent Overpopulation
By Beth Kinsella Maternal & Child Health Columnist The recent occasion of 7 Billion Day on October 31st, 2011, marks both an accomplishment and challenge for humanity, requiring the global community to “unite, seven billion strong, in the name of the global common good,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stated. “Global problems demand global solutions,” [...]
Family Planning: An Effective Approach to Cost Containment
Vishal Arora Health Policy Columnist This past week, there were mixed reactions regarding recent data from the United Nations numbering the world population at 7 billion.[1] Some might welcome this announcement as evidence of advancing healthcare technologies and the provision of essential medicines worldwide. On the other hand, this sharp increase in population size sheds [...]
Is HPV Vaccination Worth the Cost?
The development of vaccination was a significant step forward in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, implementing vaccination in the developing world has proven to be a challenge, largely due to financial costs and administrative burdens. Thus the introduction of several new vaccines is now being accompanied by a critical assessment of the practical barriers to [...]
A Mosaic of Challenges and Hopes: Humans at the 7 Billion Mark
By Carlos Schmidt Aid & Development Columnist According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report on the State of the World Population 2011, human population surpassed the seven billion mark this past October.[1] Although some consider it a crowning achievement of human reproductive success, more people equate it to more challenges in food [...]
Technology in the Time of Cholera, Part II: Using Technology to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent Cholera in Haiti
By Joy Ming Global Health and Technology Online Columnist This second segment of a two-part series focuses on the recent use of water purification techniques to control and prevent future outbreaks. The earthquake that devastated Haiti two years ago left a trail of destruction that is still visible today.[1] One path of residue is the [...]
An Exercise in Economics: Cervical Cancer Prevention in the Developing World
Mortality from cervical cancer highlights the striking global disparities in access to healthcare. The second most common cancer among women worldwide, cervical cancer causes 274,000 deaths each year with more than 80% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. Recently, a safe and effective vaccine has been developed for the cancer-causing serotypes of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) – the cause of 70% of cervical cancer.
Using Mobile Phone Networks to Combat Infant HIV
By Cameron Johnstone Maternal & Child Health Columnist Mobile phones hold great promise for aiding global health interventions. According to a World Health Organization research report, with the number of worldwide mobile phone plans approaching five billion, “the use of mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives (mHealth) has the potential [...]
