STAT

STAT+: Focused exclusively on life sciences, three top investors set out on their own

Almost a year ago, three top investors at Lux Capital and Obvious Ventures announced they were leaving the firms, teasing on Twitter that they were starting “something new.”

That something is a new venture capital firm, which launched Wednesday with $350 million for its first fund.

Almost a year ago, three top investors at Lux Capital and Obvious Ventures announced they were leaving the firms, teasing on Twitter that they were starting “something new.”

That something is a new venture capital firm, which launched Wednesday with $350 million for its first fund.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

2 years 6 months ago

Biotech, biotechnology, finance, STAT+, venture capital

Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |

DME Gujarat Releases Revised Schedule For Fee Payment, Admission Process Of 2nd Round For Bsc Nursing, GNM, ANM Courses

Gujarat: The Director of Medical Education (DME Gujarat) has released the revised schedule for 2nd round of BSc Nursing, GNM, and ANM courses regarding fee payment and the admission process. The allotment list and list of help centers have also been released.

The candidates can pay the fee at designated Axis Bank branches or online fee payment till 27.1.2023 up to 3:30 pm. The online fee payment can be made till 28.1.2023. The candidates will have to report to the authorized help center to submit the original certificate and complete the admission process, and this can be done till 28.1.2023 up to 4:00 pm.

Instructions issued -

1. The candidates who have not given consent for 2nd round and their admission in the previous round will remain the same.

2. The candidates who have confirmed their admission in the first and second online rounds will have to appear in that institute by 30.1.2023.

Further, DME has issued details related to an understanding of how to analyze the choices given during the 2nd round and has issued instructions related to fee payment and original document submission. The details are enclosed in the notices below.

Also Read:AIIMS Deoghar Announces Schedule, Details Related To 1st Professional Annual Examination MBBS Batch 2021

Allotment list –

The list consists of User Id, Gen Merit, Candidate Name, Student Cat, Adm Cat, Course, and College. The detailed list is enclosed in the notice below.

Help Center –

There are 47 help centers to facilitate the admission process for BSc Nursing, GNM, and ANM courses. The centers are available in the following districts – Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Arvalli, Banaskantha, Bhavnagar, Chhotaudepur, Dahod, Dang, Gandhinagar, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kachchh, Kheda, Mahisagar, Mehsana, Narmada, Navsari, Panchmahal, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar, Tapi, Vadodara, and Valsad. The detailed list is enclosed in the notice below.

The medical education department plays a pivotal role in developing medical and para-medical personnel to cater to the state's health needs. The department also has a role to play in establishing and maintaining well-equipped teaching institutions, which are the premier referral centers from peripheral hospitals.

To view the notice, click on the links below –

https://www.medadmgujarat.org/ga/home.aspx 

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/allotment-fee-ppt-199448.pdf

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/choice-analysis-ppt-199449.pdf

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/hp-202223-199450.pdf

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/paraadmlistr2-199451.pdf

Also Read:MUHS notifies on Centralized Online Admission Process For Fellowship, Certified Courses, check out schedule, instructions, fees, selection process

2 years 6 months ago

State News,News,Gujarat,Medical Education,Nursing education News,Latest Medical Education News

Health

Manage stress, decrease symptoms affecting the digestive system

The stomach is the highest area of nerves outside of the brain and is sometimes called the second brain. The stomach’s stress response inhibits the digestive system while the relaxation response activates it, that is why the relaxation response is...

The stomach is the highest area of nerves outside of the brain and is sometimes called the second brain. The stomach’s stress response inhibits the digestive system while the relaxation response activates it, that is why the relaxation response is...

2 years 6 months ago

Health

Stress and the gut-brain connection

The gut-brain connection is no joke as it can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice versa. Have you ever had a gut-wrenching experience? Do certain situations make you feel nauseous? Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach? We use these...

The gut-brain connection is no joke as it can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice versa. Have you ever had a gut-wrenching experience? Do certain situations make you feel nauseous? Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach? We use these...

2 years 6 months ago

Health – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana

High-tech diagnostic system among 2023 plans-Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday announced that Guyana’s health care professionals would soon be able conduct diagnosis remotely. He also told the National Assembly that 1,000 nurses would be trained this year and 1,000 Guyanese would receive hearing aids free of cost on top of the 500 that were provided with those devices ...

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday announced that Guyana’s health care professionals would soon be able conduct diagnosis remotely. He also told the National Assembly that 1,000 nurses would be trained this year and 1,000 Guyanese would receive hearing aids free of cost on top of the 500 that were provided with those devices ...

2 years 6 months ago

Health, News, Politics

The Medical News

Exercising with others offers greater benefits to older people

Exercise is beneficial in obvious ways like getting a leaner and stronger body, yet its benefits can also improve the brain, including in older adults.

Exercise is beneficial in obvious ways like getting a leaner and stronger body, yet its benefits can also improve the brain, including in older adults.

2 years 6 months ago

Health Archives - Barbados Today

U.S. FDA proposes shift to annual COVID vaccine shots

SOURCE: Reuters – The U.S. health regulator on Monday proposed one dose of the latest updated COVID-19 shot annually for healthy adults, similar to the influenza immunization campaign, as it aims to simplify the country’s COVID-vaccine strategy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also asked its panel of external advisers to consider the usage of two COVID vaccine shots a year for some young children, older adults and persons with compromised immunity. The regulator proposed the need for routine selection of variants for updating the vaccine, similar to the way strains for flu vaccines are changed annually, in briefing documents ahead of a meeting of its panel on Thursday.

The FDA hopes annual immunization schedules may contribute to less complicated vaccine deployment and fewer vaccine administration errors, leading to improved vaccine coverage rates. The agency’s proposal was on expected lines, following its announcement of its intention for the update last month.

The Biden administration has also been planning for a campaign of vaccine boosters every fall season.

Currently, most people in the United States need to first get two doses of the original COVID vaccine spaced at least three to four weeks apart, depending on the vaccine, followed by a booster dose a few months later.

Pfizer’s primary vaccine doses for children and people involve three shots, with the third a bivalent shot given about two months later.

If the panel votes in favor of the proposal, Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and Moderna Inc’s (MRNA.O) bivalent vaccines, which target both the Omicron and the original variants, would be used for all COVID vaccine doses, and not just as boosters.

The post U.S. FDA proposes shift to annual COVID vaccine shots appeared first on Barbados Today.

2 years 6 months ago

A Slider, COVID-19, Health, United States, USA, World

PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization

WHO launches funding appeal to help a record number of people in complex, intersecting health emergencies

WHO launches funding appeal to help a record number of people in complex, intersecting health emergencies

Cristina Mitchell

23 Jan 2023

WHO launches funding appeal to help a record number of people in complex, intersecting health emergencies

Cristina Mitchell

23 Jan 2023

2 years 6 months ago

Health – Dominican Today

Authorities close a water processing plant in Santo Domingo Este due to unsanitary conditions

The health authorities ordered the closure of a water processing and bottling plant for violating General Health Law 42-01 and its Public Health Regulation 258-01. Agua Los Charcos, formerly Agua Praxia, is located at kilometer 13 of the Mella Highway, in front of the Housing Park, in Santo Domingo Este.

This processor was closed because it lacked the corresponding health records issued by that vice-ministry.

Furthermore, pseudomonas, a type of bacteria that frequently causes severe infections in humans, was detected in the processed water tests, as well as unsanitary conditions and a lack of heating.

Concerning the cholera disease, the Ministry of Public Health advises the public not to be alarmed, to pay attention to official reports, and to practice preventative measures such as frequent hand washing and food washing.

 

2 years 6 months ago

Health, Local

PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization

Five billion people unprotected from trans fat leading to heart disease

Five billion people unprotected from trans fat leading to heart disease

Cristina Mitchell

23 Jan 2023

Five billion people unprotected from trans fat leading to heart disease

Cristina Mitchell

23 Jan 2023

2 years 6 months ago

Health | NOW Grenada

Dangers of consuming excessive amounts of added sugar

“A 16-ounce or 473-ml can of soda contains 52 grams or 13 teaspoons of sugar, which is more than 10% of your daily calorie consumption, based on a 2,000-calorie diet”

2 years 6 months ago

Health, PRESS RELEASE, gfnc, grenada food & nutrition council, Obesity, sugar

Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |

DME Gujarat Announces Vacant Seat Details After Day 1 Of 6th Offline Round For UG AYUSH admissions

Gujarat: 6th offline round of UG AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS) courses is being carried out. After day 1 of the counseling process held on 21.1.2023, 1350 seats are left vacant. The Director of Medical Education (DME Gujarat) has announced this through a written notice. The date-wise and institute-wise admission of the student list has also been released.

As per the notice, BAMS has 725 seats, and BHMS has 625 seats left vacant. The counseling will be carried out till 24.1.2023. No proxy and authority are allowed in this round, so candidates must come in person per their merit numbers' schedule. They must reach the selected help center 30 minutes before the scheduled time for counseling.

All the candidates who are included in the merit list of ACPUGMEC can participate in the 6th offline round, except the candidates who have secured and joined admission in MBBS & BDS courses in previous rounds of Medical Counseling Committee (MCC)/Previous rounds of State Quota OR except the candidates, who have secured and joined admission in BAMS OR BHMS courses through AACCC, New Delhi.

Date-wise and institute-wise admission of student list –

The following are the colleges where students have been allotted seats -

1. Government Akhandanand Ayurveda College Ahmedabad

2. Netra Chikitsa Ayurved College Amreli

3. Government Ayurveda College Vadodara

4. Sheth J.P. Government Ayurved College Bhavnagar

5. Dhruv institute of Ayurved People's Welfare Society Vrajbhumi Ashram At-Dumiyani Tal-Upleta Dist-Rajkot-360440 Gujarat

6. Monark Ayurved Medical College & Hospital AT.& Post- Vahelal Naroda- Dahegam Road Ta. Dascroi Ahmedabad

7. Gokul Ayurvedic College Siddhpur

8. Noble Ayurved College and Research Institute Bamangam Junagadh

9. Government Ayurved College Junagadh

10. Aarihant Ayurvedic Medical College And Research Institute Adalaj Gandhinagar

11. K J Institute of Ayurveda and Research Savli Vadodara

12. Dhanvantari Ayurved College Koydam Dist. Mahisagar

13. Shree Swaminarayan Ayurvedic College Kalol

14. Murlidhar Ayurved College Kalipat Rajkot

15. Merchant Ayurved College At & post Basna Ta- Visnagar Dist. Mehsana

16. J. S. Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya Nadiad

17. S. S. Agrawal Institute of Ayurveda, Viranjali marg, Gandevi road, Navsari-396445, Gujarat

18. Parul Institute of Ayurved and Research Limda Waghodia Vadodara

19. Jay Jalram Ayurvedic Medical College Shivpuri Dist. Panchamahals

20. Manjushree Research Institute of Ayurvedic Science Piplaj Dist. Gandhinagar

21. Parul Institute of Ayurved Limda Waghodia Vadodara

22. B.G. Garaiya Ayurved College Kalipat Dist. Rajkot

23. Global Institute of Ayurveda Tramba (Kasturbadham) Rajkot

24. Shree Rasiklal Manikchandji Dhariwal Ayurved College & Hospital Waghaldhara Valsad

25. RK University Ayurvedic College & Hospital Kasturbadham Rajkot

26. Shri O. H. Nazar Ayurved College Surat

27. State Model Institute of Ayurveda Sciences Kolavada Gandhianagar

28. G.J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies And Research Vallabh Vidyanagar Anand

29. Shri V M Mehta Institute of Ayurved Gardi Vidhyapith Campus Kalawad Road Rajkot

30. Dr.Vasant Parikh Ayurvedic Medical College Vadnagar

31. Ahmedabad Homoeopathic Medical College Ahmedabad

32. Smt. Vasantben N. Vyas Homoeopathic Medical College Jesingpara Amreli

33. Anand Homeopathic Medical College & Research Insitute Anand

34. Dr. V. H. Dave Homoeopathic Medical College Anand

35. Laxmiben Homoeopathy Institute & Research Center At Bhandu Dist. Mehsana

36. Shree Mahalaxmiji Mahila Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Vadodara

37. Pioneer (M.S.Pathak) Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Vadodara

38. Baroda Homoeopathic Medical College Vadodara

39. Bhargava Homoeopathic Medical College Vidyagram Dist. Anand

40. Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital Dethali Dist. Patan

41. Shree Shamalaji Homoeopathic Medical College Godhra

42. Shree H. N. Shukla Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Amargadh (Bhikhari) Rajkot

43. Jay Jalaram Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital At Morva (Rena) Dist: Panchamahal

44. Jawaharlal Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College Post: Limda Dist: Vadodara

45. Aarihant Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Institute Opp. IFFCO Adalaj Kalol Highway Gandhinagar

46. Smt Malini Kishore Sanghvi Homoeopathic Medical College Miyagam Karjan Dist: Vadodara

47. Valan Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital

48. Lalitaben Ramniklal Shah Homoeopathy College At Anandpar Dis.Jamnagar

49. Shri Aryatej Homoeopathic Medical College Aryavart Near Navyug Tiles Nr. Laxminagar Village 8-A National Highway Laxminagar Morbi Gujarat

50. Gandhinagar Homoeopathic Medical College At Mubarakpur Dist.Gandhinagar

51. Smt. AJ savla Homoeopathic Medical College Mehsana

52. Merchant Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Basna Dist: Mehsana

53. Noble Homoeopathic College & Research Institute Bamangam Dist: Junagadh

54. Parul Institute Of Homoeopathy and Research Post. Limda Dist. Vadodara

55. Shri B G Garaiya Homoeopathic Medical College Kalipat Dist. Rajkot

56. Rajkot Homoeopathic Medical College Gondal Road Rajko

57. Kamdar Homeopathic Medical College & Research Centre Rajkot

58. Arrdekta Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Navi Metral Sabarkantha

59. Gujarat Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Savli Dist. Vadodara

60. Gokul Homoeopathy Medical College Gokul Foundation Opp. IOC Depot State Highway No. 41 Sujanpur Patia Dist. Patan Gujarat

61. Shri Sardar Patel Mahila Homeopathic Medical College, Rajkot

62. S.S.Agrawal Homoeopathic Medical College & General Hospital Navsari

63. C.N.Kothari Homoeopathic Medical College And Research Centre Vyara Dist: Tapi

64. Nootan Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital Visnagar

The detailed list is enclosed in the notice below.

To view the notice, click on the links below –

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/datewiseday1-199315.pdf

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/vacday1-199316.pdf

2 years 6 months ago

AYUSH,State News,News,Gujarat,Ayurveda,Homeopathy,Medical Education,Ayush Education News,Latest Medical Education News

Health – Dominican Today

Ministry of Public Health reports six new cases of cholera

The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (Mispas), through the Vice Ministry of Collective Health and its General Directorate of Epidemiology (Digepi), reported six new cases of cholera on Sunday, two of which were Dominicans, a 56-year-old male and a 37-year-old female, living in Villa Liberación and the Solares del Almirante in Santo Domingo Este.

The remaining four cases are imported and pertain to Haitian nationals, two men aged 47 and 31, a woman aged 72, and a 9-year-old girl.

There are 31 confirmed positive cases of the disease in the country, in addition to these six. The patients were admitted between January 18 and 20, according to a press release, after presenting with whitish watery diarrhea and vomiting. “When they were treated at the health center, they were hydrated and stabilized before proceeding immediately to take stool samples, which turned out to be positive for cholera this Sunday,” according to the Ministry of Health.

He adds that the medical report confirms that the patients have been without bowel movements for more than 24 hours, that they are stable and in good spirits, and that they will be discharged in the next few hours.

 

2 years 6 months ago

Health, Local

Health – Dominican Today

Cholera in Haiti: nearly 500 deaths

Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Nearly four months after its reappearance in Haiti, the number of cholera victims has risen to 496 dead, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) reported Saturday.

The country has already registered 25,182 suspected cases and 21,407 hospitalized, 73 new, while 312 of the 496 deaths occurred in health institutions and 184 in the communities.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Nearly four months after its reappearance in Haiti, the number of cholera victims has risen to 496 dead, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) reported Saturday.

The country has already registered 25,182 suspected cases and 21,407 hospitalized, 73 new, while 312 of the 496 deaths occurred in health institutions and 184 in the communities.

In a bulletin, the health authorities state that the average age of those infected is 19 years, and the positivity rate is 37.25%.

56.60% of the accumulated suspected cases are men, and the remaining are women. The most affected age group is 1 to 4 years old, with 374 confirmed cases out of more than 3,000 suspected cases.

The most affected department is the West, where Port-au-Prince is located and where more than one-third of the population lives, with 1,155 confirmed cases for 16,408 suspected cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned last week that the world is suffering unprecedented cholera outbreaks in countries affected by climate disasters and other crises. As a result, vaccines to prevent this disease have become “extremely scarce.”

2 years 6 months ago

Health, World

Health – Dominican Today

What Public Health will do against malaria in San Juan

The Minister of Health and Social Assistance, Daniel Rivera, visited several places in this province, starting at the San Juan Provincial Directorate Regional VI, where he ordered to reinforce of the strategies and evaluate the malaria situation in this province since 70 percent of the confirmed cases at the national level are concentrated in the area.

During the meeting, the president of the Health Cabinet also evaluated the implementation of the “Malaria Elimination Strategy” carried out by the technical team of epidemiologists of the San Juan Provincial Health Directorate and presented by Dr. Rosa Alvino, focused on projecting and reinforcing strategies that can reduce the indicators of the disease.

“Today we are here to kick off a strategic program carried out by epidemiological team, since this province has the highest number of cases registered in the country; no one has died from the disease, but we have to focus on reducing cases,” the official said.

He suggested visiting the transmission centers two or three times a week to keep control of the situation and continue with the prevention strategies in the area, “it is very important to work on the operational part, taking into account the specific points of transmission, we have to go to the field where the active focus is,” he recommended.

Before the meeting, Dr. Rivera visited the facilities of the company Maguana Tropical, where he spoke with its production manager, Edwin Ordas, about the safety and hygiene measures that are being carried out to prevent malaria, cholera, and other diseases.

He also held a meeting with the director of the Centro Universitario Regional Oeste Curo- UASD, Carlos Manuel Sánchez, with whom he discussed health issues and analyzed the support to students of different careers in the prevention of viral diseases and other types of operations carried out by the Provincial Health Office.

He also went to the call of the bishop, Monsignor Tomas Concepción of the church Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, along with the priest Pedro Pablo Mateo, to agree to expedite the process of requesting medicines; so that they arrive on time when requested by the episcopate.

“Those processes can be expedited through Habilitation and Accreditation; it is neither difficult nor impossible; besides, for us, the church should always be given priority,” concluded Dr. Rivera.

2 years 6 months ago

Health, Local

Jamaica Observer

How telemedicine can aid the fight against cervical cancer

CERVICAL cancer is the second most frequent cancer affecting Jamaica women aged 15-44 as of 2021. This type of cancer affects the cervix which is a part of the female reproductive system and grows slowly over time. The good news is, yearly screening, early detection and vaccines are all ways in which cervical cancer can be controlled.

The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus and connects the uterus to the vagina. It is covered in tissues made up of cells that grow and change. Sometimes, these can become abnormal. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the HPV virus forming cancerous cells in the cervix.

Abnormalities of the cervix can be detected, destroyed and removed before it reaches the cancerous stage. If detected too late, they can spread or grow deeper causing great damage and discomfort. Symptoms of concern include vaginal bleeding between periods, pain during intercourse, pelvic pain and unusual discharge. These symptoms are also common to various ailments of the female reproductive system. Therefore, it is necessary that women over 18 do a yearly Pap smear test with their gynaecologist to ensure any abnormalities are detected.

With this type of cancer affecting such a large population of women, it is crucial that greater access to resources for prevention and early detection are made available to women across the island. Telemedicine platforms, such as MDLink, are one such resource that can aid in limiting the number of women affected by cervical cancer in Jamaica. The following are key ways telemedicine can aid in the fight against cervical cancer:

Early detection

Early detection leads to a decrease in death and disease of cervical cancer. If you believe you are experiencing issues aligned with early signs of cervical cancer or HPV, reaching out to a gynaecologist online may be a useful first step. MDLink can serve as your first step in assessing the symptoms you are experiencing in order to determine if you should be further tested for cervical cancer (through a Pap smear, HPV test or pelvic examination) or if it can be ruled out with another diagnosis. Additionally, your physicians can send over a prescription virtually to help ease your symptoms without you ever having to go in office. Taking advantage of the services MDLink has to offer may save you the time and money for an in-person gynaecologist visit.

Efficient follow-up

After a positive HPV screening or an abnormal Pap smear, you and your doctor can utilise telemedicine to take advantage of out-of-office care and advice. These results do not necessarily suggest that you have cancer and your gynaecologist can discuss with you what the results mean and what your next steps will be. Next steps may include surgery, self-examinations, medication and/or additional screenings. Telemedicine allows you to meet with your doctor via telephone, video call or audio call, all while in your office, home or car — wherever is most comfortable and convenient. It is an advantageous next step, particularly if your follow-up care is not emergent.

Increased access to specialist care

With a shortage of specialists concentrated in urban areas, telemedicine allows those who live in rural areas or outside of busy cities to also gain access to the same level of specialist care with a gynaecologist. Patients are able to know they are getting the best treatment with the most experienced doctors all without the inconvenience of travelling far for assessments and treatment.

Easy access to professional advice relating to vaccines and treatment

The HPV vaccine is one of the main preventative treatments that women aged 18 and older can take to prevent these cell changes and reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Telemedicine can be the starting point in speaking with your doctor about the safety, efficiency and side effects of taking this vaccine.

Ensuring that our women have reliable, convenient and safe access to modern health care is vital to a healthy nation. Cervical cancer affects our mothers, sisters, aunts, friends and family and telemedicine platforms such as MDLink seek to ensure that everyone, regardless of their age or social standing, has access to the highest standard of specialist care. Limiting the cases of cervical cancer will ensure long and healthy lives and telemedicine is just one tool which can be taken advantage of to support our women.

Dr Ché Bowen, a digital health entrepreneur and family physician, is the
CEO & founder of MDLink, a digital health company that provides telemedicine options. Check out the company's website at www.theMDLink.com. You can also contact him at drchebowen@themdlink.com.

2 years 6 months ago

Jamaica Observer

What it means to access health care — Pt 1

HEALTH care is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Access to adequate health care is a global problem in low, middle-income, and high-income countries.

What does it mean to access health care? Health care access is the ability to obtain health-care services such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases, illnesses, disorders, and other health-impacting conditions. For health care to be accessible, it must be affordable, convenient, and of acceptable quality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long believed that health care is a fundamental right. The best way to pursue this is universal health care. Reports in 2019 suggested that up to half the world's population did not have access to essential medical services. Further estimates indicate that medical costs put 100 million people into severe poverty every year.

Universal access to health care

The goal of the WHO is universal health care, in this scenario, there should be no "out-of-pocket costs" for those seeking care. The universal health-care programme of the WHO tracks "catastrophic health care spending" to identify persons with inadequate access to health care. This is defined as patients who spend more than 10 per cent of their household budget on medical services. The aim would be that this population should be less than 20 per cent of a country's population. In 2018, as part of the millennial developmental goals, it targeted increasing access to health care by one billion persons worldwide by the year 2023, primarily by increasing access to universal health care. In the first month of 2023, the goal has not been reached and, in fact, the increase has only been 160 to 200 million individuals. Given that health care provision requires economic resources, it is not surprising that countries with the lowest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita have the highest rates of inadequate access to health care.

There is a clear association between rising levels of GDP per capita and a greater proportion of the population that can access health care. This is a vexing problem in lower-income countries where access to health care is limited for many people because of the associated costs of seeking care. In many countries, there is limited access to third-party health care payers, and the regulatory environment that compels third-party payers to honour their agreements is weak. There is some good news among the bad, however. Although starting from a weak base, the most significant increases in access to care were seen on the African continent, where several countries experienced a more than 30 per cent increase in the population who did not require catastrophic health care spending. As the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide inflation subside, we may see significant increases in health care access.

Role of the Government in facilitating access to health care

Access to health care starts at the country or government level. Health-care services can be provided through the Government entirely, such as when a government funds health care, builds hospitals and clinics, employs medical personnel, and is responsible for the health-care system in its entirety. A classic example may be Cuba.

Most countries, including Jamaica, have a mixture of public and private provision of health-care services, with government-provided or public health care accessible for the population at large and a private health-care market for those who wish to access it.

The degree to which the private market supplies health care varies quite significantly among nations. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) plays the leading role in health-care delivery, but there is access to private care, which is paid for directly or through commercial insurance. The Canadian system is one in which the Government funds most health care costs, but much of the care is delivered by private actors. The United States is a country where the private market plays a more significant role than many others. Most US health care is privately funded, except for government intervention for defined populations through the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Veterans Administration Hospital systems for veterans. Even when the Government underwrites care, it is primarily extended in private facilities.

Given that resources are finite, any country with a significant public aspect to health care will need to decide how much money can be spent each year. This must be done in conjunction with spending in other areas of similar or greater importance. For instance, the Government of Jamaica has to fund national security (including the police, customs, and immigration), the judiciary, the education system, national infrastructure, and health care. More money for health care means less money for these competing priorities. Given the rise in chronic diseases, the increasing use of technology in medicine, and the ageing of our population, the amount of money that needs to be spent increases over time. In an ideal world, these changes would be accompanied by a rise in the GDP and a rise in the percentage of the budget that can be directed toward health care. As a low-middle income country in 2019, Jamaica spent about 6.1 per cent of its budget on health care, with a per capita spending of only US$327 per person. Compare this with the United Kingdom, which in 2022 spent 11.9 per cent of its GDP on health care with a per capita spending of 3,840 pounds (US$4,696.26), or the United States, which spent 18.3 per cent of its GDP on health care in 2021 for a per capita spending of US$12,914.

The amount of money available to spend will dictate what services can be offered to the public. Primary care services such as vaccination, antenatal visits, outpatient management, and disease prevention are relatively inexpensive to provide and can be offered to a substantial proportion of the population at low cost. These measures also generally deliver significant improvements in public health and tend to be in the service mix of all countries. At the other extreme are services that are very expensive to provide, and which are utilised by a very small segment of the population. Some examples include bone marrow transplantation for childhood leukaemia, solid organ transplantation, and gene therapy for sickle cell disease. Given that resources are finite and limited, should we pay 200,000 US dollars for organ transplantation or vaccinate our school-age population? This is an extreme example, but the fact is that the Government must make trade-offs in deciding what services are to be provided and thus accessed by the population.

Dr Ernest Madu, MD, FACC and Dr Paul Edwards, MD, FACC are consultant cardiologists for the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) and HIC Heart Hospital. HIC is the regional centre of excellence for cardiovascular care in the English-speaking Caribbean and has pioneered a transformation in the way cardiovascular care is delivered in the region. HIC Heart Hospital is registered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and is the only heart hospital in Jamaica. Send correspondence to info@caribbeanheart.com or call 876-906-2107

2 years 6 months ago

Jamaica Observer

Flavoured cannabis marketing is criticised for targeting kids

NEW YORK, United States (AP) — When New York's first licensed recreational marijuana outlet opened last month, the chief of the state's Office of Cannabis Management, Chris Alexander, proudly hoisted a tin of watermelon-flavoured gummies above the crowd.

Outside the Manhattan shop, he displayed another purchase — a jar containing dried flowers of a cannabis strain called Banana Runtz, which some aficionados say has overtones of "fresh, fruity banana and sour candy".

Inside the store run by the non-profit Housing Works, shelves brimmed with vape cartridges suggesting flavours of pineapple, grapefruit and cereal milk, written in rainbow bubble letter print.

For decades, health advocates have chided the tobacco industry for marketing harmful nicotine products to children, resulting in more cities and states, like New York, outlawing flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Now as cannabis shops proliferate across the country, the same concerns are growing over the packaging and marketing of flavoured cannabis that critics say could entice children to partake of products labelled "mad mango", "loud lemon" and "peach dream".

"We should learn from the nicotine space, and I certainly would advocate that we should place similar concern on cannabis products in terms of their appealability to youth," said Katherine Keyes, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University who has written extensively about the rise in marijuana use among young people.

"If you go through a cannabis dispensary right now," she said, "it's almost absurd how youth-oriented a lot of the packaging and the products are."

Keyes added that public health policymakers — and researchers like her — are trying to catch up with an industry and marketplace that is rapidly expanding and evolving.

New York, which legalised recreational marijuana in March 2021, forbids marketing and advertising that "is designed in any way to appeal to children or other minors".

But New York's state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has yet to officially adopt rules on labelling, packaging and advertising that could ban cartoons and neon colours, as well as prohibit depictions of food, candy, soda, drinks, cookies or cereal on packaging — all of which, the agency suggests, could attract people under 21.

"Consumers need to be aware — parents need to be aware — if they see products that look like other products that are commonly marketed to kids, that's an illicit market product," said Lyla Hunt, OCM's deputy director of public health and campaigns.

Hunt recently saw a cannabis product calling itself "Stony Patch Kids" that she said looked like the popular candy "Sour Patch Kids".

Similar products are being sold by the dozens of illegal pot dispensaries that operate out in the open and that officials worry are selling unsafe products. Once packaging and marketing standards are established, the illicit marketplace will likely not comply, experts say.

State officials hope that products bought at licensed dispensaries will help.

"We can regulate until we're blue in the face. But the truth is, it's a partnership between a compliant industry, strong regulations that are robust in their protections for youth and then with parents, too," Hunt said.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday the upcoming opening of the state's second legal dispensary, which will be located in Manhattan's West Village. The new venture — called "Smacked" — will open as a pop-up next week before opening a permanent location.

Under state law, a minor in possession of marijuana would face a civil penalty of not more than $50. Licensed cannabis retailers who sell to minors face fines and the loss of their licences, but no jail time.

Science has long established the addictive nature of nicotine and the health maladies associated with smoking tobacco, including cancer and emphysema.

Less settled are the health repercussions from vaping, particularly among children whose bodies and internal organs have yet to fully develop.

While smoking tobacco cigarettes has fallen among teens and young adults, the use of e-cigarettes and vapes has risen.

A handful of states — California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island — have bans on most flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. An increasing number of cities, including New York City, also have similar bans.

But those rules need to be broadened to include marijuana, said Linda Richter with the Partnership to End Addiction, who says the issue has yet to be widely addressed.

"There is more scrutiny on the tobacco industry, and very, very little in terms of rules, regulations, scrutiny, limitations when it comes to the cannabis industry," she said.

Because of the relative infancy of the legalised industry, she added, states have yet to coalesce rules on a single national standard. States often look to the federal government to set those standards, but marijuana remains illegal on the federal level.

"That's a real issue where you don't have the weight of the federal government in terms of standards of packaging and marketing," to set parameters to avoid appealing marketing to young people, Richter said.

Anti-smoking groups, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have long railed against the tobacco industry for its marketing, such as using cartoon characters to help market their products. In more recent years, they've campaigned against flavoured nicotine products, including those in vaping form.

But thus far, such groups have not put the marijuana industry in its cross-hairs.

A study released earlier this month documented the steep rise in poisonings among young children, especially toddlers, who accidentally ate marijuana-laced treats.

The uptick in cases coincides with the rise in the number of states allowing the use of marijuana for medicine or recreation. Medical use of cannabis is currently allowed in 37 US states, while 21 states allow recreational use.

"When you're talking about strawberry cheesecake, or mango, or cookies and cream flavours, it's very difficult to argue that those are for older adults," said Dr Pamela Ling, the director for the Centre for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California in San Francisco.

"Folks who consider themselves to be more like cannabis aficionados," she said, "would say that smoking a flavoured cannabis product is like putting ketchup on your steak."

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