Politics and Policies:

• The West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C has been launched with the goal of saving up to $100 billion in cumulative health care costs within ten years (Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/23/4207614/dc-based-west-health-policy-center.html ).
• The 130^th executive board meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a resolution moved by India that focuses on the global burden of mental disorders. It also focuses on need for a comprehensive, coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level. This resolution was supported by the United States of America and Switzerland (Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2825793.ece ).
• India is planning to soon ban the blood tests to diagnose tuberculosis. The experts not only pointed on their accuracy but also on the effectiveness as compared to the standard culture test provided free by the Indian government. The WHO expert group observed a highly variable sensitivity of these tests ranging from as low as 0 to 100% (Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-ban-on-blood-tests-to-detect-TB/articleshow/11607679.cms  ).

Programs

• To increase the healthcare access, Community Health Center Inc., has launched on Friday an internal telemedicine program. It will provide specialized access to the patients suffering from hepatitis C and HIV (Source: http://www.ctmirror.org/node/15138 ).
• The health ministry in Zimbabwe has announced that it will soon begin HIV/AIDS door to door testing campaigns which will help people living in remote locations that cannot go to clinic for testing (Source: http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/zimbabwe-to-begin-hivaids-door-to-door-testing-campaign.html ).
• Immunization with rotavirus vaccine launched in Zambia. This year it will be administered to new born babies less than 24 weeks in Luska District of Zambia (Source: http://www.times.co.zm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4409:new-diarrhoea-vaccine-unveiled-for-babies&catid=36:local-news&Itemid=27 ).
• A $12.2 million vaccination program being introduced by British charity Absolute Return for Kids to protect African children (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/9029771/Charity-linked-to-Duke-of-Cambridge-saving-lives-of-African-children.html ).

Research

• The results published in Science by Carnegie Mellon biologists indicate the presence of Magnesium in neutralizing deadly Shiga toxin. This toxin is produced by Shigella and some strains of E.coli. It can cause symptoms from intestinal disease to kidney failure (Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnegie-mellon-university-study-reveals-potential-of-manganese-in-neutralizing-deadly-shiga-toxin-137700868.html ).
• According to a study published in The Lancet medical Journal, the oral HIV tests were 2% less accurate than blood based specimens. This study has raised questions on whether self-testing should be allowed in South Africa using noninvasive and pain free tests for HIV (Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/specialreports/hivaids/2012/01/24/oral-hiv-test-results-found-to-be-less-reliable ).
• A study shows that older women could now skip osteoporosis screening tests if intial bone scan shows no big problem.  (Source: http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/jan/23/many-women-can-skip-frequent-bone-scans/ ).
• Journal of the American Medical Association says putting children in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery (Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46076745/ns/technology_and_science-science/ ).
• Gilenya (Multiple –Sclerosis Drug) is under review after the death of a patient receiving its first dose. Some other reports have indicated heart problems cause by receiving this medicine (Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240640.php ).
• Hepatitis vaccination programs in US and Spain not reaching the target populations according to a research published in online edition of Infection (Source: http://www.aidsmap.com/Studies-from-US-and-Spain-show-that-hepatitis-vaccination-programmes-not-reaching-target-populations/page/2224722/ ).
• Research shows that a man having unprotected oral sex with female having Human Papilloma virus (HPV causes cervical cancer in women) has greater chances of developing head and neck cancer (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-22/science/30652195_1_head-and-neck-neck-cancer-hpv-infection ).
• A group of scientists from India, Tanzania and Thailand are doing research to find the ideal variety of bitter gourd that could beat diabetes (Source: http://thecitizen.co.tz/business/-/19062-india-tanzania-scientists-undertake-anti-diabetes-properties-study ).
• According to a research study, aspirin can help to prevent development of cervical cancer in HIV infected women (Source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120119/Aspirin-may-benefit-HIV-infected-women-at-risk-of-cervical-cancer.aspx ).
• The Na-GST-1 antigen, a candidate for the first human hookworm vaccine developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) has entered phase 1 human trail in Brail (Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240586.php ).
• Cells found that can help to prevent cancer (Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/220958-scientists-found-cells-can-help-prevent-spread-cancer ).

Diseases & Disasters

• A warning has been issued by the Australian medical authorities against the spread of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV). This virus is known to cause Australian encephalitis or swelling of brain (Source: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/286415/20120124/health-alert-dangerous-mosquito-borne-virus-causing.htm ).
• Death of 36 people over the last month due to malaria and whooping cough in Sudan’s Jonlei State’s Duk County has been reported by Sudan Tribune newspaper (Source: http://www.sudantribune.com/Malaria-and-whooping-coughs-kill,41362 ).
• Diabetes epidemic in India. A cross-sectional study, Sanofi-Aventis India SITE study (Screening India’s Twin Epidemic) done during 2009-10 conducted in 800 medical centers in India revealed that 60% of the patients suffered from diabetes, hypertension or both and 70% of them had uncontrolled diabetes (Source: http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2012/01/21/7423/the-diabetes-epidemic-in-india–/ ).
• About 25 people in Lahore (Pakistan) died of taking bad heart drugs (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/pakistan-heart-drugs-death_n_1223061.html ).
• Respiratory tuberculosis cases increase in Azerbaijan (Source: http://www.news.az/articles/society/53248 ).

I worked under this contract last year (http://blogs.medscape.com/an_ounces_worth) and enjoyed it very much. Dr. Padmini Murthy blogs for them as well (http://blogs.medscape.com/minimurthy). Janet Kim, senior editor and the person in charge of hiring the blog, occasionally suggests or requests posts that correspond to current events or trending topics, but for the most part the blogger has the freedom to write about topics of his or her choosing. I highly recommend this for anyone who is looking to expand their  social media presence in the online public health community!

Interested candidates can contact Janet Kim at jkim@medscape.net.

Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
Ending the Neglect and Reaching 2020 Goals

Webcast will go live Monday, January 30, 6:00 a.m. EST at www.unitingtocombatntds.org.
An archived video will be available after the event for on-demand viewing.

Join a group of international partners for an event that demonstrates how innovative partnership can accelerate improvements in health and development for millions of people living in the world’s poorest countries.

Through a series of coordinated commitments, these partners aim to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and drive progress toward the World Health Organization’s goals for control or elimination by 2020.

The event will feature:

· Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization
· CEOs of Nine Leading Pharmaceutical Companies
· Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
· Senior Government Officials from Tanzania, Mozambique, Brazil and Zanzibar
· Stephen O’Brien, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK Department for International Development
· Dr. Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative
· Dr. Ariel Pablos-Méndez, Assistant Administrator for Global Health, US Agency for International Development
· Dr. Caroline Anstey, Managing Director, World Bank
· Moderated by: Riz Khan, Al Jazeera English

Technical areas include:

• HIV/AIDS
• Infectious diseases (e.g. malaria, avian influenza, TB)
• Maternal and child health
• Reproductive health
• Nutrition
• Commodities and logistics
• A variety of competitive, positions are available. While most positions are at the graduate level, some positions are also open to undergraduate students who meet certain criteria. We are interested in people from a broad range of disciplines including:
• Public health
• Social work
• Education
• International relations/development
• Commodity security and logistics
• Medicine
• Nursing /midwifery
• Public policy
• Pharmacy
• Business administration

To apply
Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at www.ghfp.net.

Free GHFP-II Webinar: Insider tips to maximize your chances for internship selection

Do you know someone who has set their sights on a substantive global health internship this summer, but fear that the competition will be overwhelming? That’s why we’re inviting them to a free webinar that can make a big difference.

The Global Health Fellows Program II has 25 sought-after internships for summer 2012. To help maximize the chances for selection, we’ve developed a webinar filled with inside tips and valuable information to help applicants stand out during the review process. All the positions are with the Bureau for Global Health at the US Agency for International Development in Washington, DC. Requirements and the application are available at www.ghfp.net.

In this interactive webinar, a senior GHFP-II staffer will take participants through the basics—crafting a great application, focusing the resume for maximum effectiveness—and much more. One of our 2011 interns will also be online to describe first hand his experience as an HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling Intern in the Office of HIV/AIDS at USAID. A Q&A session will round out the event.

Details and a link to registration are below.

GHFP-II Free webinar:
“How to land your Global Health internship—Tips from a recruiter & intern!”
Day/Date/Time: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 12-1:30 pm EST, 9-10:30 am PST
Register now, space is limited: https://publichealthinstitute.webex.com/publichealthinstitute/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=963107424

• Dutch government has announced that it will ban the mild narcotic drug khat (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16508238 ).
• The Ministry of Health of Malaysia is monitoring orange imported from Brazil (Source: http://www.nst.com.my/latest/health-ministry-monitoring-orange-juice-from-brazil-1.32264 ).

Programs

• European Commission (EU) has given support of 52 million euros to      Ghana to reduce maternal mortality and achieve the MDG 5 targets (Source: http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/10232-eu-gives-additional-funds-for-maternal-health ).
• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has temporarily      suspended aid to more than one million people in central and southern      Somalia (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/ICRC-Suspends-Food-Aid-to-11-Million-Somalis-137172743.html ).
• India marks major milestone in global fight to eradicate polio. The      World Health Organization has warned India to prevent such virus from      being re-imported. (Sources: http://www.care2.com/causes/india-marks-major-milestone-in-global-fight-to-eradicate-polio.html, http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/India+needs+cautious+about+polio+milestone/5993029/story.html  ).

Research

• Gene      responsible for Atopic Dermatitis identified. The researchers found an      association between ORAI1 Genetic Polymorphisms and the susceptibility of      this disease in Japanese and Taiwanese populations (Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029387;jsessionid=5147EF5A0C05A18FB235EFD5B5B40274      ).
• Four      genomic areas associated with the increase risk for exudative age-related      macular degeneration (AMD) in Japanese individuals identified by a      research team led by Michiaki Kubo at RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine in      Yokohama (Japan) (Source: http://esciencenews.com/sources/physorg/2012/01/13/keeping.eye.japanese.genome      ).
• Researchers      reveal the benefits for aspirin therapy for those suffering from a heart      disease or stroke but not for those who may have symptoms and not any history      of these diseases (Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/220872-aspirin-therapy-heart-disease-stroke-prevention-not-everyone      ).
• A study      reveals that remission of cancer may be linked to chemotherapy drugs used      for its treatment (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-13/health/30623236_1_cancer-relapse-cancer-cells-dna-damage      ).
• Signs of      changes in brain in people who are dependent online are similar to people      who are addicted to alcohol and cocaine (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/9009125/Internet-addiction-affects-the-brain-like-a-drink-or-drug-problem.html      ).
• A blood      test for the detection of mad cow disease (Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/220887-blood-test-could-help-diagnose-deadly-mad-cow-disease      ).
• A possible      link between germ-fighting preservatives in cosmetics and breast cancer      found (Source: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthcare/studies/story/2012-01-13/Does-deodorant-ingredient-affect-breast-cancer-risk/52528952/1      ).
• Rare but      recurrent mutation in gene linked to prostate cancer (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/17/genetic-testing-for-prostate-cancer/      ).
• An      Australian report says women over diagnosed with cancer due to mammograms (Source:      http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/16/women-over-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-researchers-say/      ).
• Researchers      from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City      identified measures to reduce global warming by 2050 and improve human      health and agriculture (Source: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/01/shindell-20120113.html      ).

Diseases & Disasters

• About 70% milk samples picked up by a government agency in New Delhi failed to confirm to standards. About 48% milk in Chandigarh is adulterated (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-10/india/30611460_1_samples-milk-powder-central-food-laboratory, http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/chandigarh/30615932_1_milk-powder-milk-samples-pure-milk  ).
• A massive epidemic of incurable form of tuberculosis which cannot be cured with any combination of the World Health Organization recommended drug has emerged in India (Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/india-struck-by-budding-strain-of-incurable-tuberculosis/article2300929/?from=sec431 ).

Since October 2011, members of the IH Advocacy & Policy Committee have been participating on a coalition, organized through IntraHealth International, whose aim is to bring global focus onto the protection of health care workers, patients and systems in areas and times of conflict.

In mid January 2012, the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) is scheduled to meet; members of this coalition will be in attendance. To move the coalition’s agenda forward, a letter is being presented to the WHO Executive Board asking to put a resolution before the WHO Assembly that would call for:
*the development and implementation of a plan to collect and report data concerning attacks on health facilities, workers and patients or other violations of medical neutrality where conflicts are taking place;
*make this data publicly available on the WHO website
*regularly update said data
The coalition has asked for agencies who have stake in the protection of global health care infrastructures to sign onto this letter.

It is greatly exciting to report that on January 13, 2012, APHA agreed to become a signatory of this letter! The Advocacy & Policy Committee is encouraged to see a growing receptiveness and response by APHA staff to give the association a voice on the global health platform and we look forward to many more advocacy victories!

Peter F Freeman, MPH
Chair, APHA-IH Advocacy/Policy Committee
pffreeman@gmail.com

Content of the letter signed on by APHA:

Dear Members of the WHO Executive Board:

We write to urge that you support action at the Executive Board to bring WHO’s expertise to the pressing problem of attacks on health care, including health care workers, during situations of conflict. The report released by the International Committee of the Red Cross last August – Health Care in Danger – concluded that, “in terms of number of people affected, violence, both real and threatened, against health-care workers, facilities and beneficiaries is one of the biggest, most complex, and yet most under-recognized humanitarian issues today.” As Director-General Margaret Chan recognized in her address to the World Health Assembly last May, the problem needs the urgent attention of the global health community. WHO is uniquely positioned to address a key need identified by the ICRC and many others, which is sound and reliable data on the magnitude and dynamics of violence against health care and health workers.

WHO’s expertise in developing an evidence base for global health policy, in health systems development and in humanitarian coordination creates an opportunity for leadership at the global level. The WHO can develop and implement methods for systematic collection of data on attacks on health facilities, workers, and transport and patients in conflict areas. This should be done in cooperation with other relevant UN agencies, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.

We ask that the Executive Board adopt a resolution for consideration by the World Health Assembly that requests the Director-General to develop and implement a plan for WHO to collect and report data on attacks on health facilities, workers and patients where conflicts are taking place or other violations of medical neutrality. The data should be publicly available and periodically updated on the WHO web site.

The signatories to this letter are familiar with the tragic consequences of violence on health care. There are roles for many entities, including health workers themselves, governments, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and other UN agencies. All must do their part to increase protection. WHO’s role is limited but essential, as it is in the best position to lead the data collection process.

We therefore urge you to support action at the Executive Board to enhance protection of health in situations of conflict.