Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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Major Diseases in Croatia: Mostly Non-Communicable


Croatia is one of the smaller countries in the world with just over four million people currently living in the country. The average life expectancy in Croatia is 77 years, which is higher than the average life expectancy worldwide, which is 71 years according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Females are expected to live longer than the males in Croatia. The most major diseases in Croatia mostly contribute to deaths from an older age group.

The top two causes of deaths in Croatia pertain to the heart and the vascular system. Topping the list is ischemic heart disease (IHD), which caused 12 percent more deaths in 2015 than in 2005. IHD is the leading cause of premature death in Croatia, and it has held this spot for more than 10 years. In this way, IHD has become quite a large problem for Croatia. The second-highest cause of death in the country is cerebrovascular disease; it has maintained the second spot for years as well.

Cancer holds the next few spots on the list of top diseases in Croatia. One disease which has risen in prevalence in Croatia is Alzheimer’s disease, which kills 45 percent more people in the country than it did in 2005. Alzheimer’s has affected many people around the world, and it is now on the rise in Croatia as well. It has risen one spot on the list from fifth place to fourth place in the span of 10 years.

Rounding out the list of top diseases in Croatia is COPD, hypertensive heart disease, falls, diabetes and breast cancer. Falls are the only entry on the list that is an injury; the rest are non-communicable diseases. The most prevalent communicable disease on the list is the 14th entry: lower respiratory infections.

Risk factors in Croatia that can cause some of these diseases to begin or persist include dietary risks, high blood pressure and tobacco, alcohol and drug use, among others. These are major risks behind the list of premature and preventable deaths in Croatia.

When traveling to Croatia, there are many vaccines that should be up-to-date or received for the first time weeks in advance of the trip. These vaccines include those for hepatitis A and B, as well as the rabies vaccine.

The most prevalent diseases in Croatia mirror some of the major diseases found in other countries around the world. Cancers and heart diseases are some of the highest causes of death and disease worldwide. This is a trend that needs to be taken seriously, along with every other disease on the list.

– Brendin Axtman

Photo: Flickr

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Most Pervasive and Life-Threatening Diseases in Jordan


Since November 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been cooperating with the Jordan Ministry of Health (MoH) to provide technical assistance and develop surveillance systems for health risk areas in Jordan. The systems track and analyze infectious diseases, mortality rates and risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is a private research center focused on calculating statistical population growth and health data. As a component of the University of Washington research institute, the IHME provides “comparable measurement of the world’s most important health problems and evaluates the strategies used to address them.” Jordan’s population (7.8 million) continues to rise, as well as chronic non-communicable diseases.

In 2015, the IHME reported 20,114 total deaths in Jordan, including all sexes and all ages. According to the center’s 2015 non-communicable disease statistics, the top diseases in Jordan are:

  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Congenital defects
  • Chronic kidney disease

The top diseases in Jordan are primarily caused by high body-mass index, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco smoke and elevated systolic blood pressure. Jordan’s top disease, Ischemic heart disease, is the cause of 15.98 percent of total deaths in the country and has remained in the top spot since 2005. The chronic disease occurs when the coronary arteries narrow, restricting blood and oxygen flow into the heart. Certain risk factors initiate the heart disease, damaging the inner layers of the coronary arteries. The primary culprit is smoking.

In 2013, the Tobacco Atlas reported that 43.3 percent of men and 8.5 percent women smoke tobacco in Jordan, both of which are higher than the average percent in middle-income countries. Smoking increases the likelihood of blood clots, reduces exercise tolerance, and increases blood pressure.

The CDC’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) has developed a system to successfully survey and analyze non-communicable diseases. Through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Jordan became the first Middle Eastern country to implement the program, which stemmed three national health surveys (2002, 2004, 2007). The program’s objectives are to progress the CDC’s global public health mission to respond to the high burden of noncommunicable diseases. By implementing the program, Jordan is one step closer to combating these hazardous diseases.

– Madison O’Connell

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Finland

finland
Finland is not one of the most populated countries in the world, but it is one of the more well-known. With just more than five and a half million people, Finland ranks 115th in population. The top diseases in Finland are also the major diseases found all around the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement claiming that the top disease impacting the citizens of Finland is cardiovascular disease, contributing to 40 percent of fatalities in 2014.

Coming in second are other non-communicable diseases (NCD), at 25 percent. These diseases are very slow in progressing toward fatal levels. The four main types of NCD are cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. According to the WHO, they are the leading cause of death on a global scale, representing 63 percent of all deaths annually. Different categories of NCD kill over 36 million people each year, impacting predominantly low-income families, specifically those in less developed countries.

Other NCD making the the top list include various cancers (23 percent) and respiratory diseases (3 percent). Males have a higher chance of dying in each category than females. Over the last 15 years, the numbers for each category have been vastly decreasing due to new technology and procedures and treatments in the categories listed. Other major causes of premature death includes drug use, high blood pressure and obesity.

The smoking percentage in Finland is at 24 percent, which is higher than the U.S. percentage of 15 percent, according to the CDC. These are risks that can be completely eliminated by the individual’s efforts.

The top diseases in Finland mirror a lot of the top diseases around the globe. There is room for improvement based making healthy lifestyle changes and eliminating some of the risks factors including drug abuse and obesity.

– Brendin Axtman

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in the Czech Republic


Modern medicine has rapidly developed over the past few years, but even today, diseases are still a major threat to many Europeans. Located in Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic is home to over 10 million people and, although poverty is at an all-time low, diseases in the Czech Republic still threaten its citizens. Data shows that the biggest threats are cardiovascular diseases, which take the lives of thousands every single year. Here is a list of the most threatening diseases in the Czech Republic.

Non-communicable Diseases

When breaking it down, non-communicable diseases make up more than 90 percent of the most harmful and deadliest diseases in the Czech Republic. From here, cardiovascular diseases make up for 48 percent of deadliest diseases, with cancer following second-most deadliest disease at 26 percent. Cancer is on a rise in the Czech Republic. For example, the mortality rate of pancreatic cancer has increased by 41 percent since 1990. Meanwhile, cardiovascular disease is actually decreasing. Ischemic Heart Disease has the highest mortality rate from the list of all diseases in the Czech Republic, but has luckily decreased by 25 percent over the past two decades. According to experts, poor diet, high systolic blood pressure and tobacco smoke are the most significant risk factors for Czech Republic citizens.

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases account for only a small percentage of deaths. Diarrhea, lower respiratory, and other common infectious diseases, which make up for 90 percent of communicable diseases, contribute only three percent to the deadliest diseases list. However, there have been sudden spikes in mortality rates for communicable diseases in the Czech Republic. The mortality rate for diarrheal diseases has increased by 307 percent between the years 1990 and 2013. Lower respiratory infections are only becoming more common.

Chronic Diseases and Obesity

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated that the Czech Republic needs to work on both preventing and reducing chronic diseases. In particular, there are many chronic diseases in the Czech Republic that are caused by obesity. The rates of adult obesity have risen from 14 to 21 percent between the years 2000 and 2011. Obesity is causing fatal strokes and heart attacks, while also making many people develop diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The prevalence of diabetes in the Czech Republic is about eight percent, which is higher than the OECD average.

The head of the OECD Health division, Francesca Colombo, stated that “The fact that obesity rates are higher than the OECD average and growing is very alarming.” She continues to explain that “The Czech Republic needs to renew its focus on programs that prevent disease.”

From communicable and non-communicable diseases, there is a lot of work to be done in order to prevent and reduce diseases in the Czech Republic.

– Morgan Leahy

Photo: Flickr

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Most Pervasive Major Diseases in Algeria and their Prevention


With 40 million citizens, Algeria is the largest country in Africa, and for the past 40 years, its government has worked hard to improve health care by providing it for free to its citizens. Free health care in Algeria is funded by taxes, social security and economic growth. It has helped millions of Algerians, providing medical care and services to extend the lives of millions. Early intervention through infant vaccines, for instance, has prevented many major diseases in Algeria.

The free system remains lacking. A shortage of doctors means that people seeking medical treatment have long waits and sometimes do not receive proper screening that might prevent curable diseases.

The Algerian government recently passed a new health care bill to improve access for the poor, provide patient e-files to better access medical records, and help in the detection and care of disease. The bill added programs to facilitate organ transplants, tissue and cell transplants and treatments for infertility.

Early detection is key to improving the lives of millions of citizens, as many of the major diseases in Algeria are treatable. Others are preventable. Here are the most major diseases in Algeria, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation:

  • Coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, which results in a reduced blood supply to the heart.
  • Cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain and may cause strokes. High cholesterol is a leading cause of cerebrovascular disease. Cholesterol drugs are expensive in Algeria. Ministers of health since 2002 have tried to lower the cost of these drugs by allowing local pharmaceutical companies to open and manufacture cost-efficient medication.
  • Neonatal preterm birth is another medical issue that causes multiple medical issues and death. Infants born earlier than 37 weeks are considered preemies. Babies born this early are susceptible to heart and lung issues and permanent disabilities including cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness and learning disabilities. Some learning disabilities can not be detected until the child reaches school age.
    • Prenatal education can help prevent and improve the chances of full-term births. Some risks that can cause premature birth if left untreated are high blood pressure and diabetes. Early intervention increases the odds that a baby will be born healthy.
  • Diabetes is among the major diseases in Algeria. This silent and sometimes debilitating illness, which can result in blindness, loss of limbs and death, can be treated, and certain diabetes drugs are being produced locally. Proper nutrition and exercise can help prevent diabetes.
  • Congenital anomalies result in the deaths of children within the first month of life, according to the World Health Organization. Those babies who survive will need long-term medical care. Proper diet, prenatal vitamins, vaccines and early screenings can help. Prenatal care has increased over the last several years in Algeria with improved health care.
  • Chronic kidney disease is another slow, progressive disease that results in the need for long-term medical care. Medication alone is not enough for the treatment of this disease. In severe cases, people need to go on kidney dialysis to help filter their blood. This process is both painful and expensive. With early monitoring of diabetes and high blood pressure, kidney disease can sometimes be prevented.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is another growing issue in Algeria. There is some early treatment medicine on the market today, but such treatment can only slow down the illness. Alzheimer’s is a growing concern as life expectancy rises in Algeria.
    • The progression of Alzheimer’s disease is very slow, causing memory loss and dementia. As the disease worsens, people suffering forget all sense of themselves and their loved ones. People with Alzheimer’s eventually lose the ability to care for themselves in the most basic of functions.
    • People with Alzheimer’s eventually need long-term care, which can put a strain on family and caregivers. There has been an increase in privately-owned nursing homes in Alegria. An estimated 250 nursing homes have opened up thus far, with more expected in the future.

By improving and expanding Algeria’s health care services, impoverished people who otherwise might not have access to medical services and life-saving treatments are being helped. With ongoing improvements to these free health care programs, the pervasiveness of many of the most major diseases in Algeria can be lessened and, in some cases, eradicated completely.

– Jacqueline Bowser

Photo: Flickr

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How to Avoid the Top Diseases in Kuwait as a Traveler


Kuwait is located on the Arabian Gulf and sits between Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to the World Travel Guide, Kuwait has a number of tourist attractions, even though its location might hinder it from topping the list for many travelers. Kuwait sits on a beautiful coastline and has many impressive buildings and eateries. As with any other destination, travelers should take the necessary precautions to avoid contracting the top diseases in Kuwait.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all travelers to Kuwait get vaccinated for hepatitis A and typhoid. Both diseases can be contracted through contaminated food or water, and thus it is important for travelers to be careful when choosing where to eat. Luckily, the World Travel Guide lists many restaurants known for both safety and fine dining, including Pepper Steak House and Ayam Zaman Restaurant. The CDC recommends using available resources such as this guide to determine where it is safe to eat to avoid contracting the top diseases in Kuwait as a traveler. The CDC also warns that travelers staying with family or friends or in more rural areas are at a greater risk of catching typhoid.

Another pervasive disease in Kuwait is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). MERS is a respiratory virus unlike any other known viruses, according to the CDC. It causes a fever, cough, shortness of breath and, in some cases, can be fatal. The first case was reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, and it is quickly becoming one of the top diseases in Kuwait. A fatal case of MERS was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2015. The WHO issued a warning which states that individuals who have diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung disease or are immunocompromised have the greatest risk of contracting a MERS infection. The report cautions those at risk against contact with animals, especially camel,s and recommend good hygiene practices, along with avoiding the consumption of raw milk and undercooked meats.

In 2015, the WHO did not recommend any travel restrictions for Kuwait, as there is no evidence that indicates MERS can be transferred through person-to-person contact. However, in May 2016, the CDC issued a level two alert after cases of MERS were seen in several countries around the Arabian Gulf. These cases occurred in travelers and also in people they had been in close contact with. The CDC does not discourage travel to these areas, but they recommend that travelers consult with a doctor to determine risk factors and if additional precautions are necessary.

– Helen Barker

Photo: Flickr

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The Threat of XDR-TB, a Highly Infectious, Drug-Resistant Disease


The threat of XDR-TB has recently caused great concern. This disease has been reported in 117 countries and is the deadliest strain of tuberculosis (TB). It is highly drug-resistant and is immune to many antibiotics. It is resistant to four standard treatments for tuberculosis. Because of this, treatment options for XDR-TB are less effective, more expensive and have more adverse side effects. The medication used to treat the disease is taken for up to two years and can cause permanent deafness, nerve damage, vomiting and rashes. The disease itself affects the lungs, causes chest pain and the coughing of blood.

The threat of XDR-TB transmission is the highest among individuals infected with HIV. In 2006, 52 out of 53 patients with both HIV and XDR-TB were reported to have died, and most died soon after the diagnosis. Treatment is successful less than 40 percent of the time, and death rates are as high 80 percent.

Cases of XDR-TB have rapidly intensified in South Africa, and it was found to have extensively spread in KwaZulu-Natal. It has caused tremendous concern among authorities. Between 2002 and 2015, there was a tenfold increase in the disease’s prevalence in South Africa. The threat of XDR-TB has become a challenge for many hospitals and community settings, households and workplaces.

This disease spreads similarly to other forms of tuberculosis. When a person with TB sneezes, coughs, shouts or sings, bacteria to float in the air, which can spread the disease. It has also been diagnosed in persons who were previously taking medication for TB, and the anti-TB drugs were misused or mismanaged. However, nearly 70 percent cases are spread from person to person. In a study of 404 patients with XDR-TB, an analysis showed that 69 percent of the cases were transmitted from person to person.

Efforts need to be directed towards identifying and implementing new interventions to prevent the transmission of XDR-TB in hospitals and community settings. Separation of people with suspected TB from other patients, more rapid diagnosis, and more effective medication is required for the disease. National governments need to plan interventions to prevent the threat of XDR-TB from spreading and to ensure supplies of medication are more readily available.

– Aishwarya Bansal

Photo: Flickr

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Double Burden of Top Diseases in Barbados


In the small Caribbean island of Barbados, diseases have increasingly affected the overall health of the population. The double burden of diseases involves both infectious and noninfectious diseases.

Barbados has a long history of infectious disease, from pneumonia to tuberculosis and influenza to HIV/AIDs. Out of these top diseases in Barbados, HIV/AIDS levels were especially high. In 2008, 14 percent of deaths in Barbados resulted from HIV/AIDs, but by 2012 the rates declined to 0.9 percent. The prevalence of HIV/AIDs has fluctuated throughout the years but has remained one of the top diseases plaguing the population. Less than half of those with HIV/AIDS are aware of their status.

Although communicable disease remains a major threat to the population, noncommunicable diseases are the top diseases in Barbados today. Some of the most common noncommunicable diseases include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stroke and cancer. Approximately 38,000 people suffer from hypertension alone. Out of 284,000 people in the population, 90,000 are overweight and 19,000 are diabetic.

Many of these top noncommunicable diseases in Barbados are caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyles and psychosocial stress. These conditions have a harsher effect on the poor because of isolation from the important resources and networks needed to combat rising health issues. Households living in poverty have steadily increased from 8.7 percent to 15 percent, encompassing a significant amount of the population. Few people have sufficient access to healthcare. In fact, only 20 percent of Barbadians can access cardiac rehab centers once they have suffered a heart attack. The limited access to treatment makes it harder to fight this new series of burdens.

The epidemiological transition from communicable diseases to noncommunicable diseases brought forth a double burden of diseases. Although deaths from noncommunicable diseases have surpassed deaths from communicable diseases, both remain active in the Barbadian community. What has the population done to combat these diseases in Barbados?

Funding from the Tropical Medicine Research Institute has driven the development of the world-renowned Chronic Diseases Research Centre. The Centre focuses on the surveillance and prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases, with the magnitude to influence healthcare in Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

While the double burden of disease is an island-wide phenomenon, there lies a ray of hope in the workings of the Chronic Diseases Research Centre.

– Katelynn Kenworthy

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Albania Mostly Non-Communicable


Non-communicable diseases are the top diseases in Albania. Overall, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases are the three deadliest. The annual mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases is 54.3 percent. For cancer, the annual mortality rate is 17.7 percent and for respiratory diseases, the mortality rate falls just below six percent.

Cardiovascular Diseases
The top diseases in Albania consist of various cardiovascular diseases. They are the deadliest of all non-communicable diseases. In 2013, the three deadliest cardiovascular diseases were strokes, ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular and circulatory diseases.

These common yet deadly diseases made up 94.1 percent of all deaths cause from cardiovascular diseases in Albania. In fact, strokes were fatal to 197.5 people out of every 100,000. Unfortunately, since 1990, its mortality rate has increased by 124 percent. At the same time, ischemic heart disease killed another 172.7 per 100,000. Since 1990, the mortality rate for ischemic heart disease has increased by 170 percent.

Slightly more than 23 out of every 100,000 persons were killed by other cardiovascular and circulatory diseases.

Cancer
Cancer is the second-deadliest of all non-communicable diseases. In 2013, the most common forms included cancer of the stomach, liver, trachea, bronchus and lungs. These made up 49.2 percent of all deaths caused by cancer. The mortality rate has also increased.

As a matter of fact, stomach cancer killed 16.6 per 100,000 and its mortality rate has increased by 49 percent since 1990. Moreover, liver cancer killed 16.2 per 100,000 and its mortality rate has increased by 101 percent.

Combined, tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer killed 34.2 people out of every 100,000. Since 1990, its mortality rate has increased by 111 percent.

Chronic Respiratory Diseases
The third-deadliest non-communicable diseases are respiratory. In 2013, the most deadly chronic respiratory diseases were obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis. These made up 93.5 percent of deaths which result from chronic respiratory diseases.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), killed 31.3 people out of every 100,000. COPD’s mortality rate has grown by 49 percent since 1990.

Asthma killed another 7.8 per 100,000. Its mortality rate has sadly increased by 56 percent. Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis killed 3.3 persons out of 100,000. In addition, its mortality rate has increased by 70 percent.

Fortunately, healthcare in Albania is provided to everyone. However, the government is having a hard time meeting the needs of all citizens. As a result, the World Bank is working on the health system improvement project, in order to improve the country’s health system. Hopefully, this will help alleviate the top diseases in Albania.

– Solansh Moya

Photo: Flickr

Combating Diseases in Equatorial Guinea


Equatorial Guinea (GQ), a state situated along Africa’s west coast, boasts a population of approximately 760,000 people. HIV/AIDS, diarrhoeal diseases, and malaria are the three most fatal diseases in Africa. Similarly, the top three diseases in Equatorial Guinea are HIV/AIDS, malaria, and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

According to the Central Intelligence Agency, approximately 4.8 percent of adults (about 27,400 people) had HIV/AIDS in 2015. LRTI is most commonly synonymous with pneumonia, but it can refer to bronchitis, bronchiolitis and influenza as well. Viruses, and in some instances bacteria, typically cause LRTI.

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), a research institute that gathers global health statistics, the risk factors that drive the most disability and disease in Equatorial Guinea are child and maternal malnutrition, unsafe sex and air pollution. However, runner-up contributors include dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, high systolic blood pressure, high body mass index, alcohol and drug use, unsafe water, sanitation, handwashing and tobacco smoke.

Various programs have assisted in the fight against diseases in Equatorial Guinea. In 2004, a malaria control program was introduced on the island of Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. In 2007, the Equatorial Guinea Malaria Control Initiative (EGMCI) reintroduced a similar program in the four provinces on GQ’s mainland. Though it was smaller in scale because of funding limitations, the study demonstrated that vector control through insecticidal nets and the indoor residual spraying (IRS) of houses resulted in a decrease in the number of mosquitoes and greater protection from mosquitoes in a region.

Studies such as these are imperative to decreasing the number of malaria cases within GQ. Though the number of those infected has severely decreased in recent decades, GQ still has one of the highest malaria rates in the world.

Strategic thinking and pragmatic solutions are necessary for the fight against diseases in Equatorial Guinea.

– Rebeca Ilisoi

Photo: Flickr