Global health briefs July 2012
July / August 2012 | Volume 11, Issue 4
WHO issues mental health tool kit
WHO has released a QualityRights Tool Kit to help countries assess and improve the quality and human rights of their mental health and social care facilities.
TDR announces new strategy
The Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) has unveiled its new strategic plan with an increased focus on intervention and implementation research, research capacity strengthening and knowledge management. Established in 1975, TDR is based at and executed by the WHO and sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank and WHO.
Global health case studies posted
A new collection of case studies that illustrate how individuals, non- and for-profit organizations and governments work together to solve global health challenges is now available.
nHealth review published
mHealth is a tool with promise for fostering behavior change, including in the developing world, but more evaluations of current interventions are needed, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Health Communication. The researchers conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine how much evidence exists to support mHealth behavior change communication interventions.
NIH promotes research impact
The NIH has developed a web resource to highlight how NIH-supported biomedical research benefits the U.S. health, economy, communities and knowledge base. The Impact of NIH Research site includes fact sheets, reports and slides designed for use by researchers or research advocates.
NIH microbiome project publishes findings
A consortium of researchers organized by the NIH has completed mapping the normal microbial makeup of healthy humans, producing the first such reference data. The Human Microbiome Project Consortium members recently published their findings in a series of reports with contributions from some 200 members at nearly 80 universities and scientific institutions.
Global cancer burden expected to shift, grow
Researchers estimate that 16 percent, or around 2 million, of the world’s 12.7 million cancer cases diagnosed in 2008 were caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents, according to a recent paper. A second study suggested that reductions in infection-related cancers will be offset by new cases associated with reproductive, dietary and hormonal factors. Using a variety of data, the researchers calculated that in 2030 there will be 22.2 million new cases of cancer, up 75 percent from 2008.
Both articles were published in Lancet Oncology. Review information about the publications in PubMed.
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