Blog 10: 8 year old girl becomes China's youngest lung cancer patient

There is much concern in China regarding the health risks that air pollution can cause. Over the past decade Beijing, the capital of China, has seen an increase in cases of lung cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) says air pollution kill millions of people every year. Beijing health officials say that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, but admit that polluted air is a factor.  The air pollution seen in Beijing can be accredited to the rapid economic expansion and poorly enforced laws to protect the environment. The link between air pollution and lung cancer is evident, but WHO has issued a scientific report that clarifies the ordeal. It estimated that more than half of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing in fine particles.

An eight year old girl from Jiangsu province has become China's youngest lung cancer patient. Many blame this illness on the environment's polluted air. The hospital that is treating her has denied these reports, but the community is outraged. According to the WHO report, the number of lung cancer reports per 100,000 people has increased from roughly 32% in 2002 and nearly doubled to 60% in 2011. The article gave no reason as to why the number of patients has increased. Health officials in Beijing say that lifestyle choices such as smoking are the main causes of lung cancer but passive smoking and air pollution can also be a factor.

From a sociological perspective, this situation is not surprising and should be expected. It is not uncommon to see people going through China with protective masks over their noses and mouths to keep the particles and dirt from getting into their respiratory systems. There needs to be better enforced laws regarding environmental safety as well as protection. As for the smog itself, it has been a problem for years and will continue to be a problem until China can implement better "green" programs and transportation. Until then, children and young adults should be kept out of the smog as much as possible since they are still developing and this could cause more problems for the next generation.


 Aleah Chavis
November 11, 2013
1:35pm






http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24880737

Blog 9: Children in Syria will be Vaccinated against Polio

The Syrian government has announced that all children in the country will be vaccinated against polio. There has been an outbreak of polio in the Northeast region of the country of about 10 documented cases. Polio is a debilitating disease that slowly attacks the nervous system and usually cripples the body before becoming fatal. The World Health Organization (WHO) has worked for years to eradicate polio and they have been close to success with the exception of some countries. According to WHO, the cases that were documented were a consequence of the children not being immunized.This outbreak of polio has been effecting children in unsanitary areas where contaminated feces in food or drink is consumed.
Government officials say that every child in Syria will be reached by a humanitarian organization, even those that reside in rebel areas. Many are concerned how medical care will be able to reach children in rebel areas because not only are these areas blockaded but they are constantly under attack. Aid groups have called cease-fire to allow for immunizations to be administered, which is has happened before. Officials are not exactly sure how these areas will be reached, but they have said that there have been attempts to get food and other supplies to citizens being held in rebel areas.
This is a good effort to prevent polio from spreading further in Syria and also a quick call to action in pursuit of eradicating the disease altogether. It has been proven that keeping children properly vaccinated against polio practically wipes out the disease all around as it has been pushed in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. The major problem does arise when it comes to making sure each and every child is vaccinated because the country is currently in political turmoil. Rebel-controlled areas will be hardest to reach because they are constantly blockaded. These areas are also considerably dangerous as these are targeted areas for suicide bombers and missile attacks. I believe that the cease-fire will be the best way for children and citizens to receive the help that they need.


Aleah Chavis
November 4, 2013
10:07pm



http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/04/syria-government-vows-to-vaccinate-all-children/3431891/

Blog 8: Germany allows "indeterminate" gender at birth

Parents in Germany are now able to leave the gender blank on birth certificates. Germany is the first country in Europe to allow newborns with male and female characteristics to be registered neither as male or female. Instead, the new term for an undecided gender is indeterminate. There are as many as one in 2,000 people that are born with both male and female characteristics. This new law is aimed to push parents to make quick decisions about sex assignment surgeries for newborns. On German passports where the holders sex has been displayed with an M or an F, there will now be an X for unspecified or intersex.
There are, however, some controversies with this law. People who lack distinct gender-identifying genitalia are labeled as intersex. Intersex means that an individual has both male and female chromosomes and even genitalia that have characteristics of both genders. Before the law, when a baby was labeled as intersex the parents must quickly decide which gender the child should be so they can be registered as citizens. When the decision is made, a sex assignment surgery is soon to follow. This seems like the best option for the child so they could grow up without the confusion of what gender they are, but, many intersex individuals who have had sex assignment surgery feel as though they are neither male or female and should not have been surgically modified without their consent. There are also gray areas with the law regarding marriage and health care rights of intersex people.
There are positive and negative effects of this law. On the good side, governments around the world are bringing awareness to a underrepresented population of people who face the problem of having to identity with one sex or the other. This law now allows any person of any gender or sexuality to be integrated into our culture without feeling judged or stereotyped. The gray area s of the law are what could potentially cause civil rights issues. Very similar to gay rights in America, intersex rights globally are controversial because of traditional institutions about marriage and health care rights. Most countries see marriage as a sacred institution between a male and female, but how does this translate to indeterminate sexes? There is also uncertainty about surgeries and treatments (medicines) that should be administered to people who are intersex.



Aleah Chavis
November 1, 2013
3:45pm




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24767225

Blog 7: Japan Celibacy Syndrome

It is no secret that Japan is experiencing a halt in population growth. This can be attributed to a large percentage of young adults in Japan that have lost their interest in sex. This has become a serious problem for Japan because they already have one of the lowest birth rates in the world and a shrinking population. Not only have the Japanese lost their interest in sex, but there is also little interest in binding institutions such as relationships and marriage. The result from this loss of interest in sex has aroused the concern of the Japanese government to the point where the media has named this phenomenon "celibacy syndrome".

A study done in 2011 shows that out of young people in Japan ages 18-34, 49% of women and 61% men say that they are not in any kind of romantic relationships. More shockingly, another survey reported that one third of people under thirty have never been in a relationship at all. Although there are several factors that have caused Japanese people to turn away from sex and relationships, some blame can be attributed to the technologically advanced society that they live in. Instead of having casual flings that can lead to relationships young people have now turned to virtual relationships, online pornography, and even anime cartoons. In addition to the digital replacements for sex, most are utilizing recreational activities like clubbing, shopping, and traveling to take up their free time.

From a sociological perspective, the clear answer to this issue is to encourage people to have sex. This has been attempted by the Japanese government by implementing dating programs and stipend pay for women during maternity leave but nothing seems to be working. Japanese culture is shifting because women now have more opportunity and access to education and careers and are focused on financial success and freedom. Being in a relationship or married for women has traditionally been a sacrifice because of traditional matriarchal views. It is only natural for a women to be hesitant about entering a relationship because there is a possibility that she can get pregnant and have to put her life on hold to raise a child. I believe that once women are treated and paid equally in society that is when more women will be comfortable with putting their career on pause to raise a family.


Aleah Chavis
October 24, 2013
1:45pm


http://www.refinery29.com/2013/10/55809/japan-celibacy-syndrome

Blog 6: Polio Outbreak in Pakistan is effecting global eradication effort

                           




The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has been in effect for a little over a year now but Pakistan is one of the last places in the world that still has an issue with polio. Polio is a viral disease that effects the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis. The $5.5 billion eradication program's goal is to vaccinate 250 million children a number of times each year to prevent the virus from spreading. This program will also put extra focus on 70 countries that struggle with the virus. The Taliban placed a ban on the vaccination program in June 2012, and today it is threatening the success of the global effort to eradicate polio. The vaccination was banned because the Taliban believes that the program is a plot to sterilize Muslims. The head of the GPEI in Pakistan, Elias Durry, says that this was a concern from the beginning and is worried that this ban can undo the progress that has been made thus far in Pakistan and around the world. In other regions of Pakistan many believe that the program is a new method of spying.
Dozens of children in North Waziristan have been crippled by this disease in the past six months, making this region the worst affected area in Pakistan. It is no coincidence that this area is also under Taliban control. Sewage samples from major cities reveal that the virus is spreading to isolated areas and will soon reach densely populated areas. Along with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are highly targeted areas of the GPEI. Fortunately over the past couple of decades the number of total polio cases has dropped from 350,000 to 223. According to the GPEI there were 296 confirmed cases worldwide in 2013. Unfortunately, 43 of these cases were found in the tribal regions of Pakistan were the government is known to be negligent.
The GPEI program is a necessary and valiant effort to eliminate polio globally. With any foreign aid program there will be general concerns but it is always assumed that it will be beneficial and for the greater good. Cultures should be considered when doing a global program because there are certain boundaries that need to be respected. In this case with Pakistan having the highest standing rates of Polio there should be more information about the disease and the vaccination program so people are more aware of what is really happening.


Aleah Chavis
October 18, 2013
8:59pm


http://www.pentagonpost.com/global-eradication-polio-threat-polio-outbreak-pakistan/83413713

Blog 5: Treaty posed to cut toxic Mercury Pollution

This week there will be a new international convention opening for signatures that will for the first time in history offer an agreed-upon plan to significantly decrease the usage of mercury throughout the world. This plan will also offer more safeguards for human and environmental health for the handling of this toxic material. After four years of negotiation the Minamata Convention on Mercury is now being praised by environment and health groups across the globe. Although some of the effects of said treaty will not be enforceable for about ten years following its ratification, it will come into effect after the convention has received signatures from 50 countries. The overall goal of the treaty is to, by 2020, phase out and ban the use of mercury (in ratifying countries) in consumer products. The treaty is also designed with the hope of eliminating mercury pollution at it's two most common sources: small-scale gold mining and coal-burning power plants. These two examples provide the reasoning that this convention will effect many developing countries more than the industrialized ones. For the countries involved in small-scale coal mining there will be a required action plan to seek alternatives, and to ensure that workers and the environment are not being negatively effected while also making them. It is also apart of this plan to ban the worst forms of this sector's use of mercury, burning it.
I feel as though the ratification Minamata Convention is one of extreme importance to the countries around the world. Although there are many countries who followed the U.S. influence of adopting more strict policies regarding the usage of mercury it is clear that the job is not yet complete. There are still too many countries in which mercury levels have been found to be above what is considered to be the safe limit; some of these countries such as Japan and Spain should not even have this problem. This finding only leads me to think that in the countries classified as developing that the percentage of mercury found in citizens would be even higher. This issue is of great importance regarding not only the safety of people throughout the world, but also the well-being of our environment and should therefore be ratified in as many countries as possible.

Aleah Chavis
October 11, 2013
3:03pm

http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/10/treaty-poised-to-cut-toxic-mercury-pollution
 

Blog 4: New Drug to treat Menopause and Osteoperosis

                                            

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LGND) has won U.S. approval for a new drug to treat hot flashes that comes with menopause and osteoporosis. The new drug is called Duavee, and is most helpful for women going through menopause that experience moderate to severe hot flashes. The drug will also help decrease the chance of post-menopausal osteoporosis. PFE is the world's largest drug producer and they are teaming up with other pharmaceutical companies around the world for treatments against hot flashes. Duavee is the first FDA approved drug that combines estrogen with another compound that works on certain tissues.
Duavee contains bazedoxifene which is a vitamin that protects bone density. Bazedoxifene was rejected by the FDA in 2009 because of concerns that it could cause clots and strokes. It is combined with a mixture of estrogen including Premarin which is extracted from the urine of pregnant horses. The health label of Premarin warns users of the increased risk of uterine cancer and dementia.  There are side effects of the drug including: nausea, muscle spasms, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
The intention of this drug is to help women going through menopause, but it could potentially do more damage than good. Premarin increases the risk of endometrial cancer, and coincidentally, statistics show that one in every 38 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer and most of these women are between ages 50-69 (cancer.org). It's partner drug, bazedoxifene, was delayed to be approved for its risk of causing blood clots. Coincidentally, statistics also show that uterine cancer is mostly caused by sarcoma (cancer.org), which are malignant tumors made of cancerous bone, fat, vascular, or hematopoietic tissue. Duavee, containing both Premarine and bazedoxifene, could help women going through menopause but could cause more post-menopausal diseases such as uterine cancer, which is much more deadly than hot flashes.




Aleah Chavis
October 4, 2013
2:12 pm

• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-03/pfizer-ligand-win-u-s-approval-for-hot-flash-therapy.html
• http://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrialcancer/detailedguide/endometrial-uterine-cancer-key-statistics

Blog 3: Healthcare workers in Syria need Protection

                           

While the diplomatic state in Syria is very unstable, the citizens and healthcare representatives are primary targets for attack. Doctors and nurses are living in fear as their career could cost them their lives. According to humanitarian law, the injured should have access to humanitarian relief and safe access to healthcare. Healthcare workers and injured citizens are supposed to be protected entities of the law but in Syria they are prime targets. In Syria, the humanitarian law hardly stands. In fact, hospitals and schools are main targets of Bashar al-Assad.

Over 50 doctors signed a petition demanding for protected access to healthcare in Syria. This petition also brings attention to the 37% of hospitals that have been destroyed in Syria and reiterates their right as healthcare workers to speak out on the attacks and threats against themselves and injured persons. The UN has acknowledged that humanitarian aid and healthcare in particular is being inhibited. They go on to state that any intentional attacks upon a healthcare facility or place containing the injured with a Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem is considered a war crime. In order to stay protected, hospitals are disguised or hidden and field hospitals are constantly relocating to avoid being compromised. It is extremely difficult to safely access a healthcare facility in Syria and they are always being searched for.

This is a very unfortunate situation and many lives are being lost because of it. There should not be any doubt in a citizens mind that if they are injured and need help they may risk their lives to get it. Doctors should not be risking their lives in order to save others. Although the UN says that they support the doctors petition and are against anyone who ignore the humanitarian law, those inside Syria are still very afraid for their lives. Of course military assistance would be one way to safely see each doctor and patient to their facilities but the diplomatic state of Syria will not allow it. This is a violation of human rights and those who infringe upon the humanitarian law should be punished accordingly.


Aleah Chavis
September 27, 2013
3: 25 pm




http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/21/healthcare-workers-syria-international-protection

Blog 2: Neglected Diseases in India

                                             

Conferences have been held this week in Delhi, India, regarding the issues of neglected tropical diseases (NTD's) that India faces. In 2012 the World Health Organization (WHO) created goals to have 10 of 17 NTD's eliminated by 2020. Some of these diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, and yaws, have drastically decreased since the plan was implemented, but they are still a burden to the nation. These diseases are most common to the poorest people of the world. NTD's are so detrimental because they limit childhood development and worker productivity. It is imperative that WHO and other global health organizations who have set these goals strive to meet them because over a billion people are affected by them and over half of that amount die every year.
From a sociological perspective, it is only natural for there to be conflict and solution. Considering that the WHO is the creator of the initiative to lower rates these debilitating diseases, there will be ample funding to support it. However, if there is not enough education and information provided to the people about these diseases and how to prevent them, the diseases will still persist. Fortunately, some diseases successfully being cured; this shows that the plan is working. However, the diseases are called "neglected" tropical diseases for a reason. In the past these debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases have been overlooked due to lack of finances and knowledge about them. If there is not enough funding nor knowledge about the diseases they will persist as steadily as before.


Aleah Chavis
September 20, 2013
9:10



http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/pune/42081004_1_ntds-neglected-diseases-india

Blog 1: Failing Reproductive Healthcare Systems in Laos

Laos is a small, mountainous country located in Southeast Asia. Nearly 67% of it's population resides in remote areas of the land in village communities. Unfortunately, the distance of the villages from health care facilities is a significant factor of the failing efforts to decrease infant mortality rates throughout the nation. Newborns and mothers have the highest death rates in in Southeast Asia. In attempt to reverse this trend,  free maternal and child health care services were implemented in 2011 but, only minimal success has come from the programs due to economic issues such as: limited access to health care facilities, cost of services, cultural preferences, and lack of reproductive health services for youth.

The rural roads in Laos and limited means to transportation play an important role in why these free health care systems are not successful. The journey from a village to the nearest city could take hours or even days to complete, which makes it difficult for mothers and families to seek care during pregnancy and birth. According to IRIN Humanitarian News and Analysis, only 38% of women give birth with the assistance of a "skilled birth attendant". Lack of finances for extra services such as midwives and painkillers also create a problem in the system. With meager means to make ends meet, most farmers will barter livestock or crops in exchange for services. Most families will end up using traditional medicines and methods such as herbs, massage, and acupuncture (IRIN) to help with pregnancy and labor. These are cultural preferences of the mothers and families because birth is seen as a natural process. Yet, teenagers in this culture are naive about sexual intercourse and the consequences of it such as pregnancy and STI's. Modesty about the subject in many Asian cultures prevent teens and young adults from getting information and medical attention. Consequently, the adolescent fertility rate in Laos for young women ages 15-19 is 11% of women giving birth annually (IRIN). These women potentially face fatal complications during birth such as edampsia and post-partum hemorrhage. 

These factors without a doubt limit mothers from receiving the care they need for prenatal care and child care. With more funds and community effort, this health care system can succeed in decreasing maternal and infant mortality rates in Laos. 

Aleah Chavis

9/12/13

11:45pm

http://www.irinnews.org/report/98725/analysis-reproductive-healthcare-lags-in-laos