Global populations are booming -- particularly within the world's ever expanding "megacities". This trend towards rapid population growth is most notable within developing nations. However, with rapid population expansion comes the potential for dramatic shifts in disease epidemiology, allowing infectious diseases the ability to spread to millions … [Read more...] about Disease epidemiology in the world’s newest megacities
Staff blog
Parkinson’s and the difficulty of treating neurological conditions
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease have long evaded satisfactory treatment. Despite the best efforts and the investment of billions by pharmaceutical companies, they continue to pose threats to public health - especially as life expectancies around the world increase and exposure to risk factors such as … [Read more...] about Parkinson’s and the difficulty of treating neurological conditions
The global gag rule does not stop abortions. It does the opposite.
New research shows that a US Republican policy is increasing rates of abortion by forty percent in 26 African countries. It is a bitter irony that the policy is designed to starve NGOS which offer advice on abortion or help for policymakers in making evidence-based decisions about abortion services. “Decisions made in Washington DC have … [Read more...] about The global gag rule does not stop abortions. It does the opposite.
New strains of TB threaten to bypass current diagnostics
The World Health Organization has set out plans to attempt to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, Countries such as India have set more ambitious goals, pledging to eliminate the disease by 2025. One major hurdle presents itself as a threat to this cause -- drug resistance. Drug resistance may not only frustrate elimination efforts, but … [Read more...] about New strains of TB threaten to bypass current diagnostics
Anti-vaccination movement show the damage conspiracy theories can do
Conspiracy theories - real and imagined - exert a virtually unparalleled grip on the public imagination. Many simply sell improbable books or over-hyped Netflix series. Anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, however, pose a threat to children and vulnerable adults around the world. Speculation about nefarious plots veer from the plausible to the … [Read more...] about Anti-vaccination movement show the damage conspiracy theories can do
US malaria donations saving two million children?
Have US donations in the campaign to fight malaria been responsible for saving the lives of up to two million children in Africa? Foreign aid often faces the accusation of not being cost efficient, or poorly directed. In many cases there are a lack of follow up studies analysing the impact of the donations. A study published in PLOS Medicine is … [Read more...] about US malaria donations saving two million children?
Brexit uncertainty, blocking both medicines and migrants?
Despite months of furious debate over Brexit, few have talked about its potential implications for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. When the UK leaves the EU, the prospects for British pharmaceuticals may be dim. This is increasingly apparent as a hard Brexit seems ever more likely, with no deal between the UK and the EU at the … [Read more...] about Brexit uncertainty, blocking both medicines and migrants?
Hyderus participates in study on whether EU funding has helped people with poverty related diseases
Poverty-related and neglected diseases (PRNDs) carry high burdens of morbidity and mortality across the developing world. Some of the most common diseases within this category are malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. These diseases are endemic in impoverished and lower middle-income nations and cause considerable loss of life. A large degree of the … [Read more...] about Hyderus participates in study on whether EU funding has helped people with poverty related diseases
Blood test to detect early stage cancer
A revolutionary new blood test could significantly advance our capacity for detecting cancer in its early stages. CancerSEEK, developed in John Hopkins University, could improve detection methods and consequently reduce mortality rates. Cancer is often a treatable condition. However, in many cases, it does not display symptoms for many years. As … [Read more...] about Blood test to detect early stage cancer
TB ‘miracle cures’ and the issue of high expectations
Controversy has broken out in India regarding access to two treatments that are used to address drug resistant tuberculosis (TB). The medications, bedaquiline and delamanid are all but unavailable in India, with fewer than 1,000 DR-TB patients in India receiving bedaquiline and only 81 receive delamanid. This has led to calls for the issuing of … [Read more...] about TB ‘miracle cures’ and the issue of high expectations