India: Convention concerns diabetes epidemic
Cardiologists and physicians from around Tamil Nadu recently convened in Chennai to discuss the diabetes epidemic in India. The medical education forum was organized by Amala Institute of Medical Sciences...
Ghana: Public figure criticized for smoking
Cameroon coach Otto Pfister was criticized by a local Ghanaian health organization for smoking at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi during the African Cup of Nations game against Zambia...
Global: Childhood obesity meeting
The November 2007 McGill Health Challenge Think Tank in Montreal, Quebec, focused on global childhood obesity. The meeting explored potential changes to local and global food chains as a means to provide children with access to healthier diets...
United States: High diabetes-related medical costs
Diabetes-related medical and economic costs in the US reached US$174 billion in 2007, a 32% increase from 2002, according to research by the American Diabetes Association...
United Kingdom: Prevalence of high blood pressure in adults
Four out of 10 British adults have high blood pressure, according to new research. Nearly 25,000 people had their blood pressure measured during a weeklong promotion by the Blood Pressure Association...
Turkey: Increased tobacco taxes
The Turkish government is increasing the excise tax on tobacco and tobacco products by 3.3%. The move comes after a recent law that expands prohibitions already in force and bans smoking in covered areas and sports facilities...
Thailand: Decline in smoking prevalence
The decrease in smoking prevalence in Thailand after implementing tobacco control policies demonstrates potential success in other middle-income countries. By 2006, policies implemented between 1991 and 2006 reduced smoking prevalence by 25%...
South Africa: Heart disease awareness raising
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa is encouraging people to dress in red on 14 February 2008 to help raise awareness of heart disease and stroke...
South Africa: Healthy lifestyle campaign
The Department of Health of Kwazulu-Natal Province is continuing its healthy lifestyle campaign, focusing on promoting nutrition, physical activity, tobacco control, safe sexual practice, and combating alcohol abuse across the province...
Poland: Decline in cigarette sales
The sale of tobacco dropped to 69.8 billion cigarettes in Poland in 2007-2.5 billion less than in the previous year, according to the National Association of Tobacco Industry. An increase in excise duty that contributed to a rise in tobacco prices coupled with anti-smoking campaigns in the Polish media seem to be the main reasons for the change...
Nigeria: New logo for heart-healthy food
The Nigerian Heart Foundation presented the new Heart Check Food Labeling logo to the media and the public on 18 December 2007. The logo is to be displayed on foods that the NHF recommends as heart-friendly...
Nigeria: Tobacco processing plant closed
The Nigerian government announced the stoppage of an US$83 billion tobacco processing plant in Osun State, according to Minister of Health Adenike Grange. Tobacco is known to be responsible for more than 25 diseases, including the 'silent killers' such as hypertension, heart attacks, and cancer...
Nicaragua: Community groups educate about chronic disease
Monthly meetings in health centers are providing recreation, socialization, and health education to Nicaraguans. Called "Chronic Clubs," the gatherings teach people about risk factors, disease management, and how to have a healthy lifestyle...
Nicaragua: Joins WHO FCTC
Nicaragua became the 153rd party to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the 138th country to ratify the FCTC on 24 January 2008...
Malaysia/Thailand: Tobacco advertising legislation
Comprehensive tobacco advertising legislation can lead to dramatic decline in awareness of tobacco promotion, according to 2000 and 2004 Southeast Asia surveys. Unprompted awareness of any tobacco marketing activities was only 20% in Thailand but over 50% in Malaysia...
Lesotho: Elton John donates motorbikes to healthcare workers
British singer Elton John has donated 120 motorbikes to help doctors and nurses do their rounds in the mountainous southern African kingdom of Lesotho. The donation goes directly to Riders for Health, a program designed to deliver primary health care services to communities in remote areas...
Ireland: Health warnings on cigarette packaging
Following a January 2008 High Court settlement, cigarette packets will be required to have health warnings in English and Irish starting in October 2008...
India: Appeal to movie stars to stop smoking
Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has appealed to Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan to stop smoking in movies as millions of young people may emulate their behavior. The minister stated that 52% of children have their first puff of a cigarette because of movie celebrities...
Ghana: Nutritive food for office workers
Fruityfresh, a new entrepreneurial business developed by a 22-year-old Ghanaian woman, provides hygienic fresh fruits, juice, and smoothies to office workers at affordable prices. Affirming the potential market for healthier food choices in countries increasingly adopting unhealthy Western foods, Fruityfresh has hopes of being "the market leader for fresh fruit products in Ghana by 2010..."
Europe: Campaign for CVD prevention in women
Elizabeth Arden, the beauty products company, is launching an ad campaign in early 2008 in support of the World Heart Federation's international Go Red for Women campaign to prevent and control cardiovascular disease in women...
