Screen for colorectal cancer, urges USPSTF

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The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently published its recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer on JAMA, concluding that screening is beneficial in average-risk, asymptomatic adults starting at age 50 and continuing until age 75 years (A recommendation). In adults aged 76 to 85 years, the decision should take into consideration the health and history of the patient (C recommendation).

Screening for colorectal cancer can reduce mortality, whichever strategy is employed, says the USPSTF. Seven different screening approaches are included in the recommendations, despite their difference in effectiveness and potential harm: colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical testing for occult blood (FIT), multitargeted DNA stool test (FIT-DNA), guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, sigmoidoscopy with FIT, and CT colonography. The economic impact of such a screening is not addressed either.

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Unrestricted-calorie, high-vegetable-fat Mediterranean diet associated with no weight gain

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In a study published yesterday in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Ramon Ostrich and colleagues reported on the Spanish PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) randomized controlled trial and on the long-term weight change. In their five-year intervention, nearly 7500 asymptomatic men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus or more than two cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned to receive either one of the two unrestricted-calorie Mediterranean diets (one supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and one supplemented with nuts) or the control diet which included advice to reduce dietary fat.

The authors reported that although the dietary fat consumption was higher for the participants of the Mediterranean diets, in the five-years follow-up not only was there no weight gain, but they even noticed some evidence of decrease in the weight and waist circumference. The results of the study support the hypothesis that restricting calorie intake of healthy fats does not contribute to bodyweight maintenance.

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World No Tobacco Day 2016

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The World #NoTobacco Day is an annual awareness day organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31st May, aiming at highlighting the health risks of tobacco use and prompting governments to take actions against smoking. According to the WHO, while tobacco use kills nearly 6 million people each year, approximately 1 country in 3 has minimal or no restrictions at all on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

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Over the last three years, the WHO has focused on the advertising ban, increased taxation and tackling the smuggling of tobacco products, all of which are actions based on evidence from epidemiological studies. This year, the World No Tobacco Day promotes the implementation of the standardized plain packaging of tobacco products.

Plain packaging is a proven measure that tackles consumption by making tobacco products less attractive to consumers, curbing the use of promotional material on the package, limiting misleading design techniques suggesting that some products are less harmful than others, and increasing the effectiveness of health warnings. The package should bear only the name of the brand and product name in standardized characters and dark colors.

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The measure was first adopted in Australia in 2012, where early evidence suggests that it has begun to achieve its public health objectives. Since then plain packaging laws have been passed in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, while several other countries are evaluating the implementation of such a measure.

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WHO establishes a Health Emergencies Programme, adds operational capabilities

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During the 69th World Health Assembly, the WHO announced the establishment of a new Health Emergencies Programme, which adds operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies to complement the traditional technical and normative roles of the organisation. The programme aims at delivering support to contexts as they prepare for, face or recover from emergencies, whether disease outbreaks, natural or man-made disasters or conflicts.

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Image credit: WHO/L. Cipriani

 

 

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A new report launched on NCDs and workplace wellness

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NCD Alliance and Bupa published a report on the potential of workplaces for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The report, launched in Geneva, where the 69th World Health Assembly currently takes place, examines the evidence for the effectiveness of existing policy and regulatory measures, presents a set of recommendations, and calls upon governments, civil society and private sector to take shared responsibility for health and wellbeing through innovative partnerships, with a commitment to share expertise and knowledge, and mobilise resources.

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More evidence on inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient settings

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An annual antibiotic prescription rate of 506 per 1,000 population was estimated in the United States in 2010-2011 in a study published on JAMA. According to the authors, only 353 antibiotic prescriptions were likely appropriate, supporting the need for establishing a goal for outpatient antibiotic stewardship. Sinusitis, suppurative otitis media and pharyngitis were the diagnosis associated with the most antibiotic prescriptions. Only approximately half of the acute respiratory conditions were estimated to be appropriate for these conditions.

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Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US

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A recently published article in BMJ estimates that medical error is the third biggest cause of death in the US, after heart disease and cancer. The authors mention that medical errors leading to patient death may be under-recognised in many countries, such as the UK and Canada, and call for a scientific approach and a revision of how national statistics are measured to enable a more appropriate recognition and a better understanding of the related deaths.

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Is Physician Burnout a Looming Public Danger?

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Physician burnout should not be considered as a mere professional problem, as its repercussions may affect patients. Dr Art Caplan, director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, noted in a recent video published on Medscape that over 50% of doctors feel burned out. They suffer from compassion fatigue, are unable to empathize with patients, and may commit more potentially harmfully errors as a result. What types of solutions can we propose to improve the conditions and healthcare environments in which physicians work?

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Alcohol, processed meat and being overweight linked to stomach cancer, report says

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The World Cancer Research Fund released a new report on stomach cancer. For the first time, drinking alcohol, eating processed meat and being overweight have been linked to an increased risk of developing stomach cancers. In particular:

  • There is strong evidence that consuming approximately three or more alcoholic drinks per day increases the risk of stomach cancer.
  • There is strong evidence that consuming foods preserved by salting increases the risk of stomach cancer. Research mainly relates to high-salt foods and salt-preserved foods, including pickled vegetables and salted or dried fish, as traditionally prepared in east Asia.
  • There is strong evidence that consuming processed meat increases the risk of stomach non-cardia cancer.
  • There is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of stomach cardia cancer. Being overweight or obese was assessed by body mass index (BMI).

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WHO Report on Eliminating Malaria

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A year after the World Health Assembly resolved to eliminate malaria from at least 35 countries by 2030, WHO is releasing a World Malaria Day report that shows this goal, although ambitious, is achievable. Since the year 2000, malaria mortality rates have declined by 60% globally. In the WHO African Region, malaria mortality rates fell by 66% among all age groups and by 71% among children under 5 years. But reaching the next level—elimination—will not be easy. Nearly half of the world’s population, 3.2 billion people, remain at risk of malaria. Last year alone, 214 million new cases of the disease were reported in 95 countries and more than 400 000 people died of malaria.

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