Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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Major Diseases in Luxembourg in Line with Global Trends


According to the 2014 Euro Health Consumer Index, Luxembourg ranks eighth in Europe for comprehensive healthcare. This makes sense, given the fact that Luxembourg is the wealthiest country in the EU. Even so, Luxembourg still faces diseases that threaten its citizens. This article examines the most major diseases in Luxembourg and what measures have been taken to advance patient care and lower mortality rates.

Most prevalent of the major diseases in Luxembourg is cardiovascular disease. According to the statistics portal funded by the Government of Luxembourg, in the year 2014, cardiovascular diseases caused approximately 31.2 percent of deaths. Ischemic heart diseases, as well as other forms of heart disease such as heart failure and cardiac arrest, were the leading causes of death within this category.

Cancer causes 30.6 percent of deaths in the country. Cancers of the digestive system accounted for the highest rate of death in this category, followed closely by cancers of the respiratory system. These two cancers alone cause 52.5 percent of cancerous deaths in Luxembourg.

Respiratory diseases account for 6.97 percent of deaths. Chronic lower respiratory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, influenza and pneumonia result in the most deaths, 76 percent, within this category.

The top diseases in Luxembourg align with global health trends. The World Health Organization found that cardiovascular diseases are the most deadly diseases all over the world, contributing close to 15 million of the 54 million deaths in 2015.

Luxembourg’s government has taken steps to combat some of these diseases in an effort to lower mortality rates. For instance, the Ministry of Health has implemented a four-year national cancer plan from 2014-2018. This plan is designed to develop cancer prevention methods and improve recovery processes.

Like so many other countries around the world, Luxembourg has made it its mission to find a way to not only combat the major diseases but also to better the lives of its citizens.

– Harry Meiteen

Photo: Flickr

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Major Diseases in Moldova, One of Europe’s Poorest Countries

Diseases in Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is a parliamentary republic that has implemented an ambitious economic reform program. Agriculture dominates the economy, and the country depends on imports for energy needs. Moldova remains the poorest country in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region, although it has made significant progress in economic growth. It had an estimated per capita gross national income of $1810 USD in 2010, according to the World Bank. Life expectancy estimates are two to five years higher than the other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Most deaths are a result of diseases in Moldova. Both communicable and noncommunicable diseases have been increasing steadily since the country’s independence in 1991.

The most common causes of death in the country are circulatory system diseases, followed by cancer and digestive system diseases. Most of the deaths caused by diseases in Moldova are related to heavy alcohol and tobacco use, although chronic liver disease and cirrhosis rates have decreased over the last five years.

Key challenges in the fight against diseases in Moldova also include HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. The prevalence of tuberculosis has been rising since 1990 and has more than doubled to date, reaching 182 per 100,000 people. The most dramatic rate increase is in children.

The deadliest risk factors for diseases in Moldova are dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure and high body mass index. Lesser risks include tobacco smoke, alcohol and drug use and high fasting plasma glucose.

While Moldova has quite a bit of work to do, being number one in death rates due to liver diseases, number five in prostatic hypertrophy and number seven in both coronary heart disease and congenital anomalies, it is on the road to better lives for its citizens. It is pushing to reduce poverty, with many Millennium Development Goals being developed and maintained. The country is also working to develop agricultural sustainability and many different ways of importing medicine and products that will help with rates of diseases in Moldova.

– Rilee Pickle

Photo: Flickr

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Prevention of Waterborne Diseases in Developing Countries


Water is an easy traveling venue for many small particles and microorganisms. Many developing countries suffer from poor prevention of waterborne diseases. Much of the water in areas with poor water filtration is filled with particles ranging from natural silt and oils to human waste and animal feces. These particles infiltrate a community’s water system, including the drinking water, leading to easy infection. Eighty percent of all diseases in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. Within developing countries, 1.8 million people die each year from waterborne diseases. Of these deaths, over 90 percent are children under the age of five.

Waterborne diseases are easily transmitted through unclean hands, uncovered food and contaminated water. The bacteria and worms that live in the contaminated water can easily be prevented. However, in a low-income country where health care is dismal, infections become detrimental to a person’s life. On top of living in an area with poor sanitation facilities, children living in these areas usually suffer from malnutrition. This leads to a weakened immune system, leaving them unable to fight off the infections caused by waterborne diseases.

Many steps are taken to aid in the prevention of waterborne diseases in developing countries. The easiest way to prevent diarrhea diseases is simple sanitation actions. This includes boiling water to disinfect it, washing hands frequently and cleaning dishes. On a small scale, these actions are incredibly helpful to reduce the risk of infection. On a large scale, much more must be done to prevent waterborne diseases. However, most developing countries do not have access to the necessary sanitation products such as soap. They also lack access to water systems that can easily filter out bacteria and waste.

Organizations such as Clean the World and The Water Project have dedicated their resources to make it possible to prevent waterborne diseases in low-income areas and provide access to soap, clean water and sanitation facilities. Clean the World distributes hygiene products, especially soap, to low-income areas that normally do not have access to such goods. This is done through recycling old, barely-used hotel soap and re-purposing them to developing countries. The Water Project combats diarrhea diseases by going directly to the source. It is an organization that brings clean water filtration to developing countries by building wells, rainwater catchment systems and spring protections. Clean water and sanitation is the key to preventing waterborne diseases.

– Taylor Elgarten

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About Cholera: What It Is and What It Does


Vibrio cholera is the type of bacteria that causes cholera, a diarrheal illness with symptoms that do not often appear in those suffering infection. Sometimes, the disease is more severe than others, which is why it is important to learn about it. Here are 10 facts about cholera.

10 Facts About Cholera

  1. It can take up to five days for an infected individual to display symptoms, but according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera can be fatal within a few hours of infection.
  2. Cholera was originally found in the Ganges delta in India during the 19th century.
  3. There have been six pandemics in which cholera spread to each continent.
  4. Warm and salty coastal waters are very conducive to growth of cholera.
  5. Cholera is transmitted through contaminated water, so impoverished and crisis-ridden areas are the highest risks for outbreak, according to the WHO.
  6. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 3-5 million cases of cholera each year and over 100,000 annual fatalities resulting from infection.
  7. The CDC estimates that one in 10 infected individuals will become severely ill with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps.
  8. Good hygiene practices, like boiling water or drinking only bottled water and proper hand washing can help prevent cholera infection.
  9. There is an oral vaccine that is not routinely recommended. There are two others, but they are not available in the U.S. at this time.
  10. Treatment focuses on replacing fluids lost through diarrhea. According to the CDC, when treatment is given properly in a timely manner, less than one percent of patients die.

These 10 facts about cholera show that preventative measures that can be taken to reduce chances of infection. They also enumerate the symptoms to look out. The CDC is currently investigating outbreaks to learn more about cholera, and the U.S. Agency for International Development provides countries with water and sanitation supplies to help prevent spread. The above facts can shed some light on what these organizations are doing to combat cholera and why what they are doing is important.

– Helen Barker

Photo: Flickr

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Breaking Down the 2017 IFPMA Report: Life Expectancy

Breaking Down the 2017 IFPMA Report: Life Expectancy
In the age of advanced medical technology and global health awareness, human longevity is undeniable. Past life-threatening diseases and infections, such as hepatitis A and B, can now be prevented with a vaccine administered through a single shot. Through medical research and development (R&D) programs and projects, human life expectancy is expected to increase exponentially by 2030.

Many organizations exist toward the goal of extending human life expectancy. One such organization, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) represents research-based biopharmaceutical companies and associations worldwide. IFPMA advocates for practices and policies that promote the access and discovery of life-saving medicines and vaccines. Through its two million employees at member companies and associations, IFPMA can successfully research, develop, and provide reliable statistical figures that help improve the lives of patients across the globe.

Here are 10 key facts from IFPMA’s 2017 Facts and Figures report:

  1. It takes between 10 and 15 years to successfully develop a medicine or vaccine.
  2. The research-based pharmaceutical industry presently spends over $149.8 billion on R&D annually.
  3. For every $1 spent on new medication for hypertension in the U.S., $10.11 is saved in medical spending.
  4. In 2015, 56 new pharmaceuticals became publicly available and more that 7,000 compounds are currently in development stages.
  5. The global pharmaceutical market will reach approximately USD $1.4 billion by 2020.
  6. The pharmaceutical industry’s private sector accounts for nearly all medicine and vaccines produced on the market.
  7. In 2014, over 401 pharmaceuticals were in various stages of development for diabetes and 208 drugs were in development for HIV/AIDS.
  8. IFPMA members currently have 119 R&D projects in the works for neglected tropical diseases.
  9. In 2014, the pharmaceutical industry was the third-largest contributor of neglected diseases research, investing over $534 million.
  10. The cost of developing a successful medication can exceed over $2.6 billion in R&D.

Research done by organizations like the IFPMA is consistently increasing human life expectancy. According to a study led by scientists from Imperial College London, the average life expectancy is expected to increase by 2030. The study was published in The Lancet and focuses on future life expectancy in 35 industrialized countries. It estimates life expectancy to increase by 65% for women and 85% for men in all 35 countries. The highest life expectancy was projected for South Korean women, with a 90% probability that nearly all women will survive to at least 86.7 years. Following South Korea, the highest projected female life expectancies are those in France, Spain and Japan. Of the 35 countries studied, the United States, Sweden, Greece and Serbia have some of the lowest predicted life expectancy projections for both men and women.

– Madison O’Connell

Photo: Flickr

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Cardiovascular Dominating Top Diseases in Latvia


The country of Latvia in Eastern Europe borders the Baltic Sea and Russia. The population of Latvia is just fewer than two million people, which is very small relative to most countries around the world. The life expectancy in Latvia is 74 years, which is above the global average of 71 years. The annual mortality rate is 754 per 100,000. Though it is small, the top diseases in Latvia mirror global trends.

When traveling to Latvia, it is recommended by the CDC to have all routine vaccinations up to date, as well as hepatitis A. There is the possibility of contaminated food and water in Latvia.

The top two diseases in Latvia are both cardiac-related, much like most of the world. The heart diseases are the only two on the list of the top diseases in Latvia that have stayed in their spot for the last 20 years. The numbers have been decreasing for both ischemic heart disease and stroke. In third place, cardiomyopathy is also heart-related and has been rising since last counted when it was in the ninth position.

An interesting development in Latvia over the last 20 years has been the rise of HIV/AIDS. It was not near the top in 1990 in position 83, but it has jumped to the sixth since then. This has encouraged a discussion of prevention and education efforts. Educating the public on the dangers and how to be safe can prevent cases and resulting fatalities.

The risk factors of many of the top diseases in Latvia include dietary choices, high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol use and physical inactivity.

– Brendin Axtman

Photo: Flickr

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Major Diseases in Burkina Faso: Improvements Left to be Made

Top Diseases in Burkina Faso
The major diseases in Burkina Faso are also some of the largest killers in the world. They are incredibly dangerous, common throughout the country, and may be separated into categories as follows: food or waterborne diseases; vector-borne diseases; water contact diseases; aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases; respiratory disease and animal contact diseases. Below are the most common diseases in Burkina Faso.

Hepatitis A
This is a form of viral hepatitis. It is transmitted by food and causes jaundice and fever. Most who die from it are children aged one to four. Although the death rate from hepatitis A is Burkina Faso is lower than any other country in Western sub-Saharan Africa, it is their most dangerous food and waterborne disease.

Hepatitis E
The deadliness of this disease in Burkina Faso is most common at age 80. At this age, hepatitis E kills 4.3 out of 100,000 people. The virus targets the liver and is most commonly transmitted through the fecal-oral route.

Typhoid Fever
This is another of many diseases in Burkina Faso commonly spread through fecal-oral routes. Those infected experience high fevers and, if left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20 percent of the infected population. The annual mortality rate for typhoid fever in Burkina Faso has decreased 5 percent since 1990. It is like hepatitis A in that it mostly kills young children aged one to four.

Malaria
Malaria affects more people in Burkina Faso than in other countries of Western sub-Saharan Africa, although the mortality rate dropped 26 percent between 1990 and 2013. That decline is significant, but the death rate from Malaria decreased 49 percent in Sierra Leone and 51 percent in Gambia over the same period.

Dengue Fever
This disease is commonly spread through mosquitoes. Dengue fever is less common than it used to be, with a 52 percent decrease since 1990. It will occasionally cause shock and hemorrhage, leading to death in 5 percent of cases. While one of the less common diseases in Burkina Faso, it is still prevalent.

This is only the beginning of the list for diseases in Burkina Faso. While the country is fighting for better and stronger health care and prevention systems for these diseases, its citizens continue to die of entirely preventable causes. Burkina Faso is on its way to saving a lot of lives with their improvements in health care system, and help from countries like the United States can only help them from here.

– Rilee Pickle

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About H1N1

H1N1 Facts
The H1N1 virus, or “swine flu” as it’s commonly known, was a strain of influenza that became pandemic in 2009. In the subsequent years, the virus was one of the most prevalent concerns of the worldwide medical community. Though the virus has not been as prominent in recent years, it can still infect people and have drastic effects in some regions of the world.

Here are 10 facts about H1N1 influenza:

  1. H1N1 is commonly referred to as the “swine flu” due to its similarities with the flu virus that affects pigs in North America. Further study has shown that it is different than the other virus and carries two genes that normally occur in European and Asian pigs, birds and people.
  2. The virus spreads the same way as the regular seasonal flu virus. It is contagious and can be contracted through coughing, sneezing or even talking to someone carrying it. It can also be contracted through mouth or nose contact with something contaminated.
  3. The H1N1 influenza virus causes moderate to severe respiratory infections. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, chills and fatigue. Severe cases include bacterial pneumonia bronchitis, sinus infections and an increase in underlying conditions.
  4. H1N1 is most severe in infants, young children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases. Mortality rates in people less than 65 are significantly higher than those associated with the common flu.
  5. People infected with H1N1 become contagious generally one day before showing symptoms and can continue to spread the virus for five to seven days after. Those with weaker immune systems, such as children, are generally contagious for longer.
  6. H1N1 can also affect various farm animals, including pigs and turkeys. Domestic animals such as dogs, cats and ferrets are also susceptible to the virus due to close contact with humans.
  7. It is estimated that more than half of the deaths caused by the H1N1 were in the Southeast Asian and African regions. This could be due in part to the quality of healthcare and limited availability of vaccines and medications.
  8. An estimated 105,700-395,600 people died due to respiratory complications attributed to H1N1 influenza during the first 12 months of the virus’s outbreak. This constitutes 0.001-0.007 percent of the world’s population.
  9. The virus was given pandemic status in 2009 after the disease spread rapidly throughout the U.S. and Mexico. It was announced to be in post-pandemic stages August 10, 2010. More than 200 regions across the globe have been affected by the virus.
  10. There have been more recent outbreaks of the disease. In 2015, India reportedly had over 31,000 people infected and 1,900 resulting deaths. There was a small outbreak in the Maldives in early 2017 with 185 reportedly having tested positive for the virus.

Vaccination is still the best protection against H1N1 influenza. Other measures can be taken, including hand washing, avoiding people showing symptoms and avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth. It is also suggested to get vaccinated against the disease if traveling to an area where contracting H1N1 is a possibility.

– Drew Hazzard

Photo: Flickr

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10 Important Facts About Zoonoses and Initiatives Against Them


Zoonoses are diseases transferable between animals and humans. Zoonoses, or zoonotic diseases, have been recognized and studied for hundreds of years and remain a major concern for health and quality of life. Below are ten facts about zoonoses.

10 Important Facts About Zoonoses and Initiatives Against Them

  1. More than 200 zoonotic diseases have been identified. They are categorized by their causative pathogenic agent: bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses.
  2. There are several ways that zoonotic diseases can spread. One method is through direct interaction with an infected animal or vector, such as a tick or mosquito. Direct contact occurs through bites, contact with fluids or excrements or even just petting an animal. Another means is through indirect contact. This is interacting with a medium such as soil, food or water that has been contaminated.
  3. Sixty percent of all human infectious diseases are considered zoonoses. An estimated 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases, which are infectious diseases that have been on the rise in recent decades, are transmitted from animals; examples include Ebola, HIV and influenza.
  4. The integrated effort to study interactions between animals, health and the environment is a field known as One Health. One Health examines the risks faced in both animal and human health, how they are influenced by their surrounding ecosystem and the resulting interactions that take place.
  5. Different zoonoses are more common in certain populations based on their typical interactions with livestock and the surrounding environment. Zoonotic diseases like trypanosome (sleeping sickness) and brucellosis, both of which are typically found in livestock, tend to occur in adults who occupationally engage with livestock. Often these individuals provide a great deal of support to their family, and the contraction of a zoonotic disease has serious effects, sometimes exacerbating the family’s poverty.
  6. The prevalence of zoonoses is not concentrated only in rural areas that rely on livestock or have unsanitary water; those living in urban slums also have a high risk of contracting a zoonotic disease due to the prevalence of animals that are not vaccinated or dewormed and unsanitary conditions. Because of the concentrated population and unsanitary living conditions in urban slums, those in urban poverty are also likely to contract multiple zoonotic diseases.
  7. Those in poverty are less likely to receive treatment for zoonoses. A large majority of the population that is at high risk for contracting zoonotic diseases lives in isolated rural areas far away from treatment facilities. Those in poverty often do not have access to diagnostic facilities or cannot afford the expense of laboratory work and tests necessary to diagnosis a zoonosis. Additionally, high-quality treatment for zoonoses are often expensive and in short supply; more affordable medication is often less effective and has serious side effects.
  8. One of the largest threats caused by zoonoses is food insecurity as a result of a loss of livestock due to disease and antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance occurs in both animals and humans from the excessive or improper use of antimicrobial agents. Healthy animals are essential for the work and livelihood of millions of people around the globe as well as for food security.
  9. Addressing zoonoses is an essential component of global security. Eighty percent of agents that are deemed to have a potential for use in bioterrorism are zoonotic pathogens. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) encourages strong health monitoring systems for proper surveillance and prevention of zoonotic pathogens from being used as weapons.
  10. The OIE has several initiatives to reduce zoonoses worldwide. In 2011 rinderpest was eradicated. Currently, the OIE is focused on stamping out of foot and mouth disease, rabies and peste des petits ruminants. They have also established the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), which allows for global transparency, quicker notification of infectious outbreaks and easier access to health experts. Currently, 114 countries have reports posted on WAHIS.

Zoonoses are an important public health issue that requires multidisciplinary collaboration and strong health care systems. While they disproportionately affect those in poverty, these 10 facts on zoonoses outline the far-reaching effects of these pathogens and their relevance in all populations. Advocating for further attention to zoonotic diseases is an important public health initiative.

– Nicole Toomey

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Armenia


The country of Armenia, or the Republic of Armenia, is a sovereign state in the South Caucus region bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east and Iran to the south. The Armenians are a rich and storied people dating back to antiquity.

Armenia has acted as a purely autonomous region since regaining independence from the Soviet Union after the fall of the communist party. Since the dissolution of the USSR, Armenia has had difficulties in maintaining quality healthcare for certain diseases due to a difficult transition from a centrally planned to a market economy. Due to this new economic redirection, the current healthcare system skews more toward funding hospital interventions, leaving little funding for community projects. Because of this, various communicable and non-communicable diseases have had a major impact on the people in this region. Here is a list of the top diseases in Armenia.

Non-communicable diseases

Like many countries in Europe, the most common cause of death due to illness is non-communicable diseases. Some of these diseases include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and musculoskeletal conditions. These all add up to a substantial fatality rate in the nation. Approximately 50 percent of deaths were caused by cardiovascular diseases and 74 percent resulted from combined symptoms (cardiovascular, neoplasms and diabetes mellitus) in 2013.

Malaria

Malaria is a disease spread by infectious mosquitos. It exhibits symptoms such as fever, vomiting and fatigue and can be fatal. Armenia was given malaria-free status in 2011 but has had a difficult time fighting the disease throughout the years. Thousands of people were infected between 1920 and 1930, and 200,000 cases were reported in 1934. Armenia was given malaria-free status in 1963 after years of fighting the disease. After the dissolution of the USSR, however, malaria resurfaced in 1994 and numbers peaked at 1156 in 1998. Cases have steadily decreased since, but malaria and yellow fever are still the top diseases in Armenia to look out for on the Center for Disease Control travel page.

Familial Mediterranean Fever

One of the top diseases in Armenia, Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is hereditary and only affects individuals from the region. This disease is most common in people with Sephardic Jewish, Armenian, Arab and Turkish backgrounds. People infected generally exhibit recurrent cases of fever, abdominal inflammation, lung inflammation, swollen joints and a characteristic ankle rash. Severe cases of the disease can cause inflammation surrounding the heart (pericarditis) and swelling of the membrane surrounding the brain or spinal cord (meningitis). According to a report from the National Human Genome Research Institute, approximately one in every 200 people with one of these particular backgrounds has FMF. There is currently no cure for the disease.

Though there is still much work to do, Armenia has made significant strides in retooling its healthcare system. With the implementation of positive reforms, these top diseases in Armenia could be controlled or eliminated in the future.

– Drew Hazzard

Photo: Flickr