Latest news with #diseaseprevention
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent RSPCA warning over imported dogs
An animal charity has urged the UK government to implement stricter regulations on the import of dogs, citing concerns over disease transmission and behavioural problems. The RSPCA highlighted government statistics that 320,000 pets entered the UK via travel schemes and 44,000 as commercial imports in 2023, warning of 'ticking time bombs' due to inadequate health testing. There is currently no licensing requirement for animal rescue organisations in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, contributing to the unregulated import of animals. A new Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers, has passed the Commons with cross-party support. The bill aims to reduce non-commercial animal entry, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant animals, and prohibit the import of mutilated dogs and cats, such as those with docked ears.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan PM stresses raising awareness to break stigma, curb infections on World Hepatitis Day
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed the need to raise awareness against hepatitis to break the stigma surrounding the disease and prevent new infections, as the world marks World Hepatitis Day today. Every year on July 28 the international community marks World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness about the importance of stepping up national and international efforts against the disease, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 12 million people in Pakistan are suffering from hepatitis B or C. Each year brings about 150,000 new cases of the disease. Major risk factors for the transmission of hepatitis B and C infection include therapeutic injections, syringe reuse, surgery, improper sterilization of invasive medical devices, blood transfusion, hospitalization and sharing of razors from barbers. 'Raising awareness about hepatitis is essential not only to break the stigma surrounding this disease but also to prevent new infections and ensure timely treatment for those affected,' Sharif was quoted as saying by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The prime minister noted that the risk for hepatitis infections is particularly high in rural and under-resourced areas due to poor infection control practices. He said the government is taking concrete measures against the disease, which includes a national program that has already been launched to eliminate hepatitis C. 'The goal is to screen over 165 million people and provide free treatment to all positive cases by 2030,' Sharif said. 'This is a national movement that reflects our collective commitment to protecting lives and securing the future.' Sharif called for encouraging people to get tested for hepatitis, seek medical advice and not refrain from treatment due to fear or stigma. He said Pakistan's health care professionals, researchers and frontline workers are working tirelessly to curb the disease. 'On this day, we renew our collective responsibility to build a healthy, safe, and hepatitis-free Pakistan,' he concluded. In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari said viral hepatitis continues to pose a public health challenge for Pakistan. He noted that millions of people in the country are silently suffering due to late diagnosis, lack of awareness and inadequate health care services. 'He said we must implement comprehensive strategies that combine mass awareness campaigns, effective vaccination drives, timely screening and access to treatment,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
New research suggests that walking 7,000 steps a day can support overall health
A new study suggests that walking 7,000 steps daily can significantly reduce the risk of various serious illnesses, presenting a more attainable goal than the widely publicized 10,000-step target. Led by academics from the University of Sydney, the research examined data from dozens of global studies, including those in the UK, involving tens of thousands of adults. Individuals consistently achieving 7,000 steps daily showed a 25% lower risk of heart disease, a 14% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, a 38% decrease in dementia, and a 22% reduction in depression. The study also found that walking 7,000 steps a day was associated with a 47% lower likelihood of death during follow-up periods compared to 2,000 steps, and a 37% lower chance of cancer death. While 10,000 steps per day still offer greater health advantages, experts noted that even modest step counts provide benefits, with 7,000 steps being a realistic and clinically meaningful target for many.
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
EU invests $4.9mln to support Zimbabwe's National Public Health Institute
The European Union (EU) has committed €4.2 million to support the establishment of Zimbabwe's first National Public Health Institute (NPHI), reinforcing its partnership with Zimbabwe in building stronger and more resilient health systems. The four-year EU-funded initiative, implemented with the World Health Organization (WHO), will strengthen Zimbabwe's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. Guided by the Africa CDC Framework and aligned with the Global Gateway Health Package launched at the 6th EU–AU Summit, the NPHI will focus on science, evidence generation, and data-driven policy advice rather than direct service delivery. Key priorities for the NPHI include: Developing a national strategy and roadmap for public health; Improving digital health literacy and reducing the public health skills gap; Strengthening disease surveillance and research, particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes; Expanding Zimbabwe's participation in regional and international health networks. The establishment process will be highly consultative, bringing together the Ministry of Health and Child Care, universities, research institutes, and other health partners. It will also foster collaboration with African and European public health institutes that have successfully implemented similar models. This support forms part of the Team Europe Initiative on National Public Health Institutes in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Once operational, the NPHI is expected to become a cornerstone of evidence-based decision-making, improving the health and well-being of Zimbabweans. © Copyright The Zimbabwean. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Biggest human imaging study scans 100,000th person
Scientists say they can study our bodies as we age in greater detail than ever before, thanks to more than a billion scans of UK volunteers. The world's biggest human imaging project says it has now hit its target of scanning the brains, hearts and other organs of 100,000 people - the culmination of an ambitious 11-year study. "Researchers are already starting to use the imaging data, along with other data we have, to identify disease early and then target treatment at an earlier stage," says Prof Naomi Allen, chief scientist at UK Biobank. The data is made available at low cost to teams around the world to find new ways of preventing common health conditions from heart disease to cancer. The 100,000th volunteer to be scanned was Steve, who recently retired from a job in sales and now helps out at a charity run by his daughter. The BBC watched as he entered a full-body MRI scanner in an industrial park outside Reading, and detailed images of brain cells, blood vessels, bones and joints appeared on the screens. "My mum was diagnosed with early-stage dementia a few years ago and has not been well," he says. "So with that in mind I want to give more back to research so the next generation can learn from people like me." The giant medical imaging project has been running for 13 hours a day, seven-days-a-week across four sites in England. Participants are given a five-hour appointment to be scanned using five different types of MRI, X-ray and ultrasound machines. The data gathered is anonymised and volunteers like Steve receive no individual feedback unless the radiographers happen to spot a potentially serious health problem. The project does not allow personal data, such as a volunteer's surname or the precise area where they live, to be published. Launched in 2003, UK Biobank is one of the largest collections of biological samples and health data in the world. In total, half a million people – all middle-aged volunteers – have been asked to complete physical tests, answer regular health and lifestyle questions, and provide DNA and other biological samples. Their blood, urine and saliva are frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at temperatures of -80C (-112F) in huge refrigerators in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The imaging part of the project began in 2014, and involves taking detailed scans of 100,000 of those same participants. All of that group will be invited back to repeat the process every few years to see how their bodies and organs change as they grow older. By combining those scans with the other data collected by UK Biobank, scientists can test whether early changes to the make-up of the brain or body then lead to diseases or other health problems in later life. The whole UK Biobank project, which is non-profit making, was set up by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust charity, along with the Department of Health and the Scottish government. Two decades later it is now reaching maturity. Over 30 petabytes, or 30,000 terabytes, of anonymised health data is already available to researchers working for universities, charities, governments and the private sector. Scientists in the UK and the rest of the world can apply for access and most are charged between £3,000 and £9,000 to help cover running costs. DNA store has 'revolutionary' effect -scientists Genetics data release 'could lead to better treatment' UK biobank opens to researchers Louise Thomas, professor of metabolic imaging at the University of Westminster, says it is "completely transforming" how she and other researchers do their jobs. "We thought it was a crazy idea, there was absolutely no way anybody could scan this number of people," she says. "To analyse these images manually would have taken us thousands of years but now... we can extract all the information automatically, so we can measure everything in the body in a matter of minutes." Researchers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to process the huge amounts of data generated by the project. Almost 1,700 peer-reviewed papers have been written using all types of Biobank data since work started in 2003, with dozens more now published every week. The scans and images taken so far have already been used to show that: The early onset of 38 common diseases can be predicted by combining MRI scans with other health data and an artificial intelligence (AI) model Consumption of just small amounts of alcohol each day can be linked to an increased risk of memory loss and dementia A detailed MRI scan can replace surgery to diagnose and monitor a common form of liver disease Changes to the structure of the heart may lead to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders including depression UK Biobank is one of the 10 largest stores of personal health data in the world alongside similar initiatives in Germany, China and the United States, although those projects don't all make their data available to scientists globally in the same way. The imaging element of the project is also funded by a number of other organisations including the British Heart Foundation, Calico, a subsidiary of Alphabet which also owns Google, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, established by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan.
