Weekly Prevention Update 23 September 2009
ProCor Weekly Prevention Update 23 September 2009
Prevention News
-------------------
Denmark: Fatty fish promotes heart health
Eating fatty fish lowered the risk of acute coronary syndrome in middle-aged men, according to a study of 57,000 Danish adults. The study found no similar effect with consumption of lean fish.
"Fish intake and acute coronary syndrome"
Euro Heart J 2009; published online 14 Sep 2009
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/ehp375v1
Iceland/Italy: Smoking bans reduce CVD
Iceland's 2007 nationwide smoking ban in public places resulted in a 21% reduction in acute coronary syndrome among non-smoking men in the five months after the ban was introduced, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2009 Congress. Another study presented at the congress reported a 6% decrease in hospital admissions for acute coronary events in Piedmont, Italy, in the 30 months after the country's 2005 national smoking ban.
Heartwire: http://www.theheart.org/article/1002261.do
Iran: Smoking among university students
More than one-fifth of male students and less than 3% of female students are smokers, according to a study of 1700 university students in Kerman, Iran. Students with better academic standing and those who prayed were less likely to smoke, while alcohol drinkers were more likely to smoke.
"Prevalence of and factors associated with cigarette smoking among university students: A study from Iran"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 2 Jul 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509338730v1
Lebanon: Tobacco control legislation
Although Lebanon ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, nationwide tobacco control legislation remains weak due to tobacco industry strategies to undermine regulation and delay adoption and implementation. Researchers of these findings suggest that public health professionals and the government should raise awareness of the tobacco industry's tactics; introduce effective restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; enforce smoke-free environments; and improve current laws requiring health warnings on tobacco products.
"The tobacco industry's thwarting of marketing restrictions and health warnings in Lebanon"
Tobacco Control 2009; 18: 310-316
http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/18/4/310
Malaysia: CVD among rural poor
A study conducted in a semi-rural community in Malaysia found that 55.8% of men and 15.1% of women had a 20% or higher risk of having a coronary event in the next 10 years. The findings showed that CVD prevalence is high even among people in poor rural areas, according to study researchers.
"Cardiovascular disease risk in a semirural community in Malaysia"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 5 Aug 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509343973v1
Netherlands: Lifestyle intervention promotes weight loss
A computer-guided lifestyle intervention with counseling from a nurse practitioner may be an effective strategy to support weight loss in primary care. Nurses have more knowledge about hands-on lifestyle behavior changes and more time to provide counseling than general practitioners, according the study. Nurse practitioners, guided by a computer software program, provided patients with a food diary, pedometers, and individualized counseling. The intervention succeeded in 3% weight reduction among obese people and weight maintenance in moderately overweight people. Health campaigns and the media climate in the Netherlands focusing on healthy lifestyles were also found to contribute to the success of the intervention.
"Preventing weight gain: One-year results of a randomized lifestyle intervention"
Am J Prev Med 2009; 37(4): 270-277
http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797(09)00421-8/abstract
Singapore: Diabetes in Malay adults
Nearly one in five middle-aged Malay adults in Singapore has diabetes and a substantial portion has suboptimal glucose control, according to a 3000-person study. Those who were overweight or who had hypertension were more likely to also have diabetes.
"Prevalence of diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, and associated factors in a Malay population in Singapore"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 5 Aug 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509343958v1
Singapore: Social status and overweight/obesity
A study found that lower levels of education and income increased risk of overweight and obesity for women but decreased the risk for men. Of the 2800 adults studied, 50.4% of men and 65.1% of women were overweight or obese.
"The association between socioeconomic status and overweight/obesity in a Malay population in Singapore"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 5 Aug 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509343957v1
South Africa: Non-daily smokers
A South African study found that most non-daily smokers are those trying to quit smoking rather than those initiating smoking, suggesting that health practitioners should target non-daily smokers for smoking cessation interventions. Almost 70% of non-daily smokers had smoked daily in the past and currently smoke significantly fewer cigarettes on the days they smoke (5.4) than current daily smokers (9.8); they were also more likely to live in smoke-free homes, to have attempted to quit smoking, and to be younger than age 25 years.
"Epidemiological profile of non-daily smokers in South Africa: Implications for practice"
South African Family Practice 2009; 51(3): 244-248 (open access)
http://www.safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1167
United Kingdom: Children want parents to quit smoking
More than 95% of UK children with parents who smoke want their parents to quit smoking because of its health risks, according to a poll. Four out of 10 children said they have at least one parent who smokes, with half smoking in the home and a third smoking in the car. Results of the poll were released in conjunction with an anti-smoking campaign that "gives smokers a clear incentive as to why they should quit and a clear guide as to how they should do so," said Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking & Health. The UK National Health Service (NHS) will offer free smoking cessation support.
Telegraph.co.uk: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6174160/Nine-in-10-children-do-not-want-parents-to-smoke.html
United States: Soda tax and obesity prevention
A national tax of US$0.01 per ounce of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages could generate US$14.9 billion in the first year to fund obesity prevention programs and help finance proposed healthcare reform, health experts say. The tax would increase the cost of a 20-ounce soft drink by 15-20% and could lead to a minimum reduction of 20 calories a day per person from sugar-sweetened beverages. The US spends about US$147 billion--9% of all healthcare expenditures--on medical costs associated with overweight and obesity.
"The public health and economic benefits of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages"
N Engl J Med 2009; published online 16 Sep 2009 (open access)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMhpr0905723
United States: Worsening CVD trends
Decades-long trends of decreasing CVD mortality are being reversed by increasing rates of obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Only 7.5% of Americans currently have five important "heart healthy" factors--not smoking, low blood cholesterol, normal blood pressure, normal weight, and no sign of diabetes. Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for adults aged 25-74 years indicates that in the early 1970s, 4.4% of adults had all five heart-healthy factors and by 1994 that number had increased to 10.5% of adults. Researchers stated that the decline is "a wake-up call to the entire country to take more responsibility for their health by knowing their own cardiovascular risk factor profile and, in consultation with their physician, to take proactive steps to reduce their cardiovascular risk."
"Trends in the prevalence of low risk factor burden for cardiovascular disease among United States adults"
Circulation 2009; published online 14 Sep 2009
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.835728v1
CVD Calendar
-------------------
Geneva health forum 2010: Globalization, crisis & health systems: Confronting regional perspectives
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Date: 19 April 2010 - 21 April 2010
Contact Email: genevahealthforum@hcuge.ch
www.ghf10.org
World health summit: The evolution of medicine
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: 14 October 2009 - 18 October 2009
Contact Email: registration2009@worldhealthsummit.org
www.worldhealthsummit.org
Prevention News
-------------------
Denmark: Fatty fish promotes heart health
Eating fatty fish lowered the risk of acute coronary syndrome in middle-aged men, according to a study of 57,000 Danish adults. The study found no similar effect with consumption of lean fish.
"Fish intake and acute coronary syndrome"
Euro Heart J 2009; published online 14 Sep 2009
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/ehp375v1
Iceland/Italy: Smoking bans reduce CVD
Iceland's 2007 nationwide smoking ban in public places resulted in a 21% reduction in acute coronary syndrome among non-smoking men in the five months after the ban was introduced, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2009 Congress. Another study presented at the congress reported a 6% decrease in hospital admissions for acute coronary events in Piedmont, Italy, in the 30 months after the country's 2005 national smoking ban.
Heartwire: http://www.theheart.org/article/1002261.do
Iran: Smoking among university students
More than one-fifth of male students and less than 3% of female students are smokers, according to a study of 1700 university students in Kerman, Iran. Students with better academic standing and those who prayed were less likely to smoke, while alcohol drinkers were more likely to smoke.
"Prevalence of and factors associated with cigarette smoking among university students: A study from Iran"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 2 Jul 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509338730v1
Lebanon: Tobacco control legislation
Although Lebanon ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, nationwide tobacco control legislation remains weak due to tobacco industry strategies to undermine regulation and delay adoption and implementation. Researchers of these findings suggest that public health professionals and the government should raise awareness of the tobacco industry's tactics; introduce effective restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; enforce smoke-free environments; and improve current laws requiring health warnings on tobacco products.
"The tobacco industry's thwarting of marketing restrictions and health warnings in Lebanon"
Tobacco Control 2009; 18: 310-316
http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/18/4/310
Malaysia: CVD among rural poor
A study conducted in a semi-rural community in Malaysia found that 55.8% of men and 15.1% of women had a 20% or higher risk of having a coronary event in the next 10 years. The findings showed that CVD prevalence is high even among people in poor rural areas, according to study researchers.
"Cardiovascular disease risk in a semirural community in Malaysia"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 5 Aug 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509343973v1
Netherlands: Lifestyle intervention promotes weight loss
A computer-guided lifestyle intervention with counseling from a nurse practitioner may be an effective strategy to support weight loss in primary care. Nurses have more knowledge about hands-on lifestyle behavior changes and more time to provide counseling than general practitioners, according the study. Nurse practitioners, guided by a computer software program, provided patients with a food diary, pedometers, and individualized counseling. The intervention succeeded in 3% weight reduction among obese people and weight maintenance in moderately overweight people. Health campaigns and the media climate in the Netherlands focusing on healthy lifestyles were also found to contribute to the success of the intervention.
"Preventing weight gain: One-year results of a randomized lifestyle intervention"
Am J Prev Med 2009; 37(4): 270-277
http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797(09)00421-8/abstract
Singapore: Diabetes in Malay adults
Nearly one in five middle-aged Malay adults in Singapore has diabetes and a substantial portion has suboptimal glucose control, according to a 3000-person study. Those who were overweight or who had hypertension were more likely to also have diabetes.
"Prevalence of diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, and associated factors in a Malay population in Singapore"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 5 Aug 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509343958v1
Singapore: Social status and overweight/obesity
A study found that lower levels of education and income increased risk of overweight and obesity for women but decreased the risk for men. Of the 2800 adults studied, 50.4% of men and 65.1% of women were overweight or obese.
"The association between socioeconomic status and overweight/obesity in a Malay population in Singapore"
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2009; published online 5 Aug 2009
http://aph.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1010539509343957v1
South Africa: Non-daily smokers
A South African study found that most non-daily smokers are those trying to quit smoking rather than those initiating smoking, suggesting that health practitioners should target non-daily smokers for smoking cessation interventions. Almost 70% of non-daily smokers had smoked daily in the past and currently smoke significantly fewer cigarettes on the days they smoke (5.4) than current daily smokers (9.8); they were also more likely to live in smoke-free homes, to have attempted to quit smoking, and to be younger than age 25 years.
"Epidemiological profile of non-daily smokers in South Africa: Implications for practice"
South African Family Practice 2009; 51(3): 244-248 (open access)
http://www.safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1167
United Kingdom: Children want parents to quit smoking
More than 95% of UK children with parents who smoke want their parents to quit smoking because of its health risks, according to a poll. Four out of 10 children said they have at least one parent who smokes, with half smoking in the home and a third smoking in the car. Results of the poll were released in conjunction with an anti-smoking campaign that "gives smokers a clear incentive as to why they should quit and a clear guide as to how they should do so," said Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking & Health. The UK National Health Service (NHS) will offer free smoking cessation support.
Telegraph.co.uk: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6174160/Nine-in-10-children-do-not-want-parents-to-smoke.html
United States: Soda tax and obesity prevention
A national tax of US$0.01 per ounce of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages could generate US$14.9 billion in the first year to fund obesity prevention programs and help finance proposed healthcare reform, health experts say. The tax would increase the cost of a 20-ounce soft drink by 15-20% and could lead to a minimum reduction of 20 calories a day per person from sugar-sweetened beverages. The US spends about US$147 billion--9% of all healthcare expenditures--on medical costs associated with overweight and obesity.
"The public health and economic benefits of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages"
N Engl J Med 2009; published online 16 Sep 2009 (open access)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMhpr0905723
United States: Worsening CVD trends
Decades-long trends of decreasing CVD mortality are being reversed by increasing rates of obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Only 7.5% of Americans currently have five important "heart healthy" factors--not smoking, low blood cholesterol, normal blood pressure, normal weight, and no sign of diabetes. Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for adults aged 25-74 years indicates that in the early 1970s, 4.4% of adults had all five heart-healthy factors and by 1994 that number had increased to 10.5% of adults. Researchers stated that the decline is "a wake-up call to the entire country to take more responsibility for their health by knowing their own cardiovascular risk factor profile and, in consultation with their physician, to take proactive steps to reduce their cardiovascular risk."
"Trends in the prevalence of low risk factor burden for cardiovascular disease among United States adults"
Circulation 2009; published online 14 Sep 2009
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.835728v1
CVD Calendar
-------------------
Geneva health forum 2010: Globalization, crisis & health systems: Confronting regional perspectives
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Date: 19 April 2010 - 21 April 2010
Contact Email: genevahealthforum@hcuge.ch
www.ghf10.org
World health summit: The evolution of medicine
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: 14 October 2009 - 18 October 2009
Contact Email: registration2009@worldhealthsummit.org
www.worldhealthsummit.org
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