January 20th 2010
This week in medicine
The following will appear in the January 23 issue of The Lancet:
Traffic pollution Although improvements have been made in vehicle emissions, city expansion and increased car use mean that more people now live in places where pollution is highest, according to a report from the US Health Effects Institute. The report—a review of more than 700 studies worldwide—also found a causal link between traffic pollution and asthma exacerbations in children.
Junk food tax In an effort to fight obesity, Romania will soon introduce the world’s first tax on unhealthy foods. The tax, to be introduced in March, 2010, will apply to so-called junk foods, including fast food and soft drinks. Funds raised from the tax will be used to lend support to countrywide health programmes. It is estimated that one in four Romanians is obese.
Don’t forget dementia Anticipating a need for increased and improved care for people with dementia, England’s national dementia strategy, Living well with dementia, was launched on Feb 3, 2009. Now, a report from the National Audit Office argues that the strategy’s success is being threatened by weak implementation and monitoring across the country.
Drug pricing Generic drugs need to be made cheaper in many countries, according to a report by Health Action International. The cost of generic ciprofloxacin, in terms of purchasing-power parity, was highest in Guatemala and lowest in Switzerland. The US General Accountability Office also found that branded drug prices have soared by up to 500% in the past decade.
Better news? A report commissioned by the UK Government calls for action to address the threat that economic and institutional constraints pose to the quality, originality, and independence of science journalism. The authors make recommendations for improving reporters’ science training, access to research proposals and peer-reviewed literature, and opportunities to pursue investigations.
Cuban health Cuba’s celebrated universal health-care system is showing “growing signs of deterioration” according to the Cuban Commission on Human Rights. The accusation came after 26 people reportedly died unnecessarily at a psychiatric hospital in Havana. The government blamed a cold snap for the deaths, but admitted “deficiencies” at the hospital.
Hospital job cuts In France, tensions in public hospitals continue to rise after the axeing of 1800 jobs. The losses have been blamed for an increase in attacks against medical staff by dissatisfied patients. Meanwhile President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a new model for the health system aimed at reducing red tape and improving cooperation with pharmacists and nurses.
Anti-gay bill Under pressure from the international community, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has expressed reservations about his country’s proposed extension of the already dire punishment for homosexual acts in Uganda. In October, 2009, the ruling party presented a bill that looked at imposing life in prison or even death for offences such as homosexual acts with disabled people, minors, or when HIV-positive.
Hospital investment Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates has announced a programme to increase the number of hospitals in the country. The public investment, worth more than €1·3 billion, will see the construction of 12 new hospitals by 2013. Of these, the Hospital Oriental in Lisbon stands out with an estimated budget of €380 million.
Toxic jewellery An investigation by the Associated Press has found high levels of cadmium in children’s jewellery made in China. The poisonous heavy metal seems to have been used as a substitute for lead, which is now banned in children’s products. US department stores have started pulling items from their shelves, and the country’s watchdogs have issued a warning on Chinese imports.
Semi-doctors? In a bid to tackle the shortage of doctors in rural areas, the Indian Government is finalising plans for an abridged MBBS course. The 3·5-year course, aimed at rural students, will be taught at district hospitals and will qualify graduates to practise only in rural areas. The curriculum avoids subjects for which referral would be necessary, such as transplantation, angiography, and MRI.
Anti-smoking drive A new anti-tobacco law came into effect in the United Arab Emirates last week. The bill includes several stringent measures to curb smoking, including a ban on smoking in cafés and restaurants in residential areas, a ban on the import or sale of sweets and toys that look like tobacco products, and a ban on smoking in cars carrying children younger than 12 years.
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