Scientists show how a gene duplication helped our brains become 'human'

Scientists show how a gene duplication helped our brains become 'human'

Recession versus Depression

In a troubling economic world, healthy living does get exposed to some interesting problems. While many more lose their jobs to the "recession" those who keep jobs may still cut back on consuming unnecessary goods(Its is reported that 1 in 4 of the US postal workers will be provided voluntary retirement and a further 3000 will lose their jobs). Someone once said that a recession is when my neighbor loses their job, a depression is when I lose mine. The constant reminder of the "economic meltdown" in the media has an adverse effect on the public's health. More time is spent talking about hardship than about healthy practices. Ignoring the situation is also unhealthy. Where is the middle ground? Studies have concluded that more optimistic people tend to live longer healthier lives. What makes this happen? The balance between daily healthy practices and knowledge of the limited power we all have over the total economy must be somehow accepted. Fear is an emotion which results from some expectation which may have been altered by the current circumstances. Small wins like eating a healthy meal at home rather than one at some restaurant serves a valuable sense of what you can do. About 20 years ago I was in El Salvador for some meetings where I met a group of street children. Their daily routine was to walk approximately 17 kilometers into the capital to sell "Chiclets" or gum on the street. Each night they would walk back to a hole in the side of a hill called home with their "earnings/profits" for the day. Each night the family slept in this makeshift home where one light bulb attached to a long cord hung for light. I don't know why or how but their survival was constructed from a few basic motivations which have made me wonder about recessions and depressions ever since. The poor of every nation know survival and recession or depression isn't an unfortunate economic episode. The daily motivation is survival even if it is in squalid tenements on the outskirts of cities devoid of basic hygiene and ravaged by forms of deprivation which many of us will only shudder at. Healthy lives are a gift constructed from the social power structure and unfortunately not shared by all. Sharing that gift is an opportunity for all of us to engage in.

Weight Loss and Supporting Communities

The public concern with obesity and the fadish diet promotions that fill the airwaves and online weight loss sites can be replaced with one simple idea. No matter what your diet consists of the best way to lose weight is to cut back calories. The findings of a study of weight loss and diet composition published February 26, 2009 in the New England Journal of Medicine confirm what many in the public health sector and nutrition areas have claimed for years" it is the amount of calories you consume along with the amount you burn off through activity that produces weight loss." The study found that attendance at group sessions was also a key factor in weight reduction success. What this suggests is the importance of inclusive supporting groups/community which share common goals. Inclusive community action is a major factor in a large number of health issues which have persistent and enduring challenges. Obesity is a public health issue and a personal health condition which the NEJM article argues can be significantly aided by attending supportive groups.
reference http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/360/9/859?query=TOC

"The Biggest Public Health problem of our time"

"What can help prevent diabetes, hypertension, cancer (particularly breast and colon cancer), depression, osteoporosis and dementia, (to name just a few)? This is no wonder drug, but a good dose of exercise.

"Physical inactivity has become the greatest public health problem of our time" states an editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Should we be trained to prescribe exercise? The evidence is compelling.

"This association between physical activity and health persists in virtually every subgroup of the population, regardless of age, sex, race or environmental condition". The active patient is also a bargain, costing $1,500 less per year than the sedentary patient. Would merging the fitness and the healthcare industry be the answer?"
This post is copied directly from BMJ Student email RSS


Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;43:3-4"

New Research and Early Detection of Changes in Health

What impact does new research have for your health care? In an article published February 1 in the Journal Nature Biotechnology a predictor of breast cancer outcomes is explored.(Taylor et. al., 2009) Changes in the structure of the human protein interaction network appear to provide useful indication of breast cancer prognosis. According to the American Cancer Society there were 184,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2008. Research like that reported by Taylor et. al. is helpful after diagnosis. What we all have to do is make a conscious decision to track our own health events and be on the alert for anything that seems abnormal. Early detection of changes is often critical to effective treatment.
The important issue is that by engaging in regular self examination and tracking changes in your health is a vital and effective management approach. Health nexxus is designed to support you in this effort.

Public Health and the Economic Crisis

Public health is the front line of the trilogy health production which include responsible individual practices and effective medical and other health interventions in the production of healthy societies. Recent economic decline is leading to a sense of fear of job loss for many. Contributing to the harsh environment is significant individual debt. Stress is the result. This stress is a public health issue as tensions in many communities (just look around Wall Street) have led to a variety of ills that lead to additional demands on health services. At the center of this is the individual. By taking responsibility for managing stress through healthy lifestyle practices many complications can be avoided.
Global economic contraction seems overwhelming. As the deleveraging process occurs efficient economies are likely to do so less and rebound sooner. The healthy economies offer a prescription for public health because the activities and interventions are efficient, responsible and sustainable. Inclusion couples with equity in the development of the collective intelligence to create something better for the community.
Community action that adopts public health in concert with supporting individual responsibility underpins economic efficiency and social sustainability.