April 22nd 2008
This week in medicine
The following will be published in the April 26 issue of The Lancet:
Lethal injection The US Supreme Court has voted 7-2 in favour of upholding the three-drug lethal injection to administer the death penalty after a 7-month suspension of executions nationwide. The three-drug combination-accused of violating the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause in the 8th amendment-is used by 35 states and the federal government.
World Malaria Day April 25 marks a global initiative to draw attention to the devastating consequences of malaria, as well as encouraging new donors to help fight the disease. The initiative was established after the World Health Assembly found that, despite causing more than 1 million preventable deaths a year, global awareness of the disease still remains low.
French fashion On April 15, the first reading of a bill punishing incitement to anorexia was approved by the French National Assembly. The proposal, with penalties of imprisonment and fines from €30 000, would target the media and pro-anorexia websites that promote excessive thinness. The bill must pass the Senate before becoming law.
Aboriginal health allegation Australia’s health minister, Nicola Roxon, has ordered an investigation into the allegation that Aboriginal children were used to test leprosy treatment in the 1920s and 1930s. The claim was made during the hearings over compensation for indigenous Australians who were removed from their families by state officials and made to live in white communities.
Court witnesses UK paediatricians are even more apprehensive about appearing as expert witnesses in court, according to doctors attending the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s annual meeting. Two high-profile cases against paediatricians by the General Medical Council have led to a climate of fear among doctors.
Violence against women A report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan states that in 2007 the number of abuses of women’s rights more than doubled to 4276 cases. Of these, 636 women were victims of honour killings, 731 were raped, and 736 were kidnapped. The same report claims these figures are “a gross understatement” and points to a general apathy towards women’s rights within political circles.
Working with HIV The US International Labour Office has documented almost a 30% improvement in workplace attitudes towards co-workers living with HIV and greater acceptance of condoms in six countries studied-Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Guyana, and Togo. The workplace is ideal to promote prevention, care, and support, with better access to HIV services, and to tackle stigma and discrimination.
Vaccine funding The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm)-an innovative finance mechanism that raises funds by selling bonds-successfully issued a second bond in the international markets that raised US$223 million for GAVI Alliance programmes on immunisation and health-system strengthening.
US toy scare The non-profit Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization has filed a lawsuit against CBS Corp, Planet Toys Inc, and retailers alleging that their CSI toy kits, based on the CBS TV series, contained asbestos. The manufacturers have removed the toy from the market but claim that tests show it is safe.
Malaria drug A Brazilian pharmaceutical company and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative have developed a once-a-day fixed dose of artesunate and mefloquine, which is one of WHO’s recommended firstline artemisinin-based combination treatments for malaria. The new drug is registered in Brazil and should simplify malaria treatment in Latin America and southeast Asia.
Stem-cell research Last week, the Bundestag-the German lower house of parliament-voted with a clear majority to relax the strict rules governing stem-cell research. In future, German researchers can use imported stem-cell lines created before May 1, 2007, rather than having to rely on those produced before 2002.
Tetanus campaign The health ministry in Yemen has launched a national campaign against neonatal tetanus. Almost 4000 health workers will vaccinate 1 million women aged 15-45 years over the next few months.
Lump in the throat Doctors in India, Europe, and the USA are experimenting with Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) to remove diseased tissue, such as the appendix, through the mouth with flexible surgical instruments. Ara Darzi is reportedly investigating bringing the technique to the UK in 3-4 years.
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