Global Health

17 Sep

Posted at 15:18h in Global Health, Heart Disease, Pediatrics

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Muthu Jothi

Senior Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon

Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are heart conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure and function of a child's heart. While some defects may be mild and require only monitoring, others can require complex cardiac procedures or surgery during infancy. To help parents better understand congenital heart diseases and the treatment options available, MedicalResearch.com spoke with Dr. Muthu Jothi, Senior Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. With more than 32 years of experience, including nearly a decade of training in the UK, Dr. Jothi specializes in the surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases in children. According to the AHA (American Heart Association), congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting nearly 1 in 100 babies born in the United States each year, and advances in diagnosis and surgical care have dramatically improved long-term survival rates over recent decades.

MedicalResearch.com: What are congenital heart diseases?

Dr. Jothi: Congenital heart diseases are heart conditions that are present at birth. They affect the structure of the heart and can range from relatively mild defects to more complex conditions requiring early intervention. Some children may have few or no symptoms initially, while others may require treatment during infancy. The treatment approach depends on the specific heart defect, its severity, and the child's overall condition.

04 Jun

Posted at 11:30h in Global Health
[caption id="attachment_74080" align="aligncenter" width="500"]clinical-research-europe-pexels Photo by Pavel Danilyuk[/caption] Clinical research in Europe is conducted within one of the most structured and closely regulated environments in the world. While European countries share many common regulatory principles, the practical implementation of clinical trials often differs from one jurisdiction to another. Ethics review procedures, administrative timelines, language requirements, healthcare systems, and site capabilities can vary significantly across the region. Because of this complexity, sponsors frequently rely on a clinical research organisation Europe model to coordinate activities and maintain consistency throughout the study lifecycle. A clinical research organisation operating in Europe serves as a bridge between sponsors, investigators, regulatory authorities, and clinical sites. Its role is not limited to a single stage of research. Instead, it supports multiple operational functions that help transform a study concept into a structured and compliant clinical trial.

Supporting Study Planning and Feasibility

Before a trial begins, sponsors must determine whether the study can be conducted efficiently in the selected countries and sites. This process involves evaluating patient availability, investigator experience, regulatory timelines, and operational requirements. A clinical research organisation Europe may assist with: ● feasibility assessments, ● site identification and qualification, ● country selection strategies, ● recruitment potential analysis, ● evaluation of operational risks and timelines. Early planning helps reduce uncertainty and supports realistic expectations regarding study execution.

27 Apr

Posted at 06:04h in Global Health, Health and Wellness
[caption id="attachment_73403" align="aligncenter" width="500"]massage-work-in-st-george.jpg Pexels image[/caption] Massage has been part of human care for thousands of years. From ancient bathhouses to quiet rooms in modern cities, hands-on touch has stayed relevant. People turn to massage for comfort, recovery, and moments of calm. This article explains how massage works, what styles exist, and how people use it as part of regular self-care. The sections below share history, science, and real-life examples. Clear terms and short explanations keep the topic easy to follow.

27 Apr

Posted at 05:36h in Global Health, Health and Wellness, OBGYNE
choosing-maternity-care-in-dubai.jpg Finding the right maternity care in a cosmopolitan city like Dubai can be challenging. Everybody's busy — the clinics, the doctors, and even you. As such, the standard clinical experience can often feel a bit like a conveyor belt. Efficient, maybe, but rarely personal. For many families, however, the goal isn't just to find a doctor but to find a healthcare partner in Dubai. They want a team that listens with empathy, understands what is being said as well as the unexpressed concerns, and respects their privacy and time. These are the things that are frequently lost in the shuffle of a busy hospital.

02 Apr

Posted at 10:36h in Global Health
[caption id="attachment_73033" align="aligncenter" width="500"]global-health-care-thailand.jpg Photo by Khan Ishaan[/caption] The landscape of global mobility has transformed significantly in recent years. As multinational corporations expand their operational footprints across emerging markets, mobility leaders face the complex challenge of balancing operational costs with employee well-being. Southeast Asia has emerged as a major hub for international business, attracting highly skilled talent from across the globe. According to a recent WTW report exploring how organisations are balancing cost and care in global mobility, over 80% of employers plan to maintain or increase their international assignments over the coming year. However, this same report highlights that healthcare premiums increased for three-fifths of employers at renewal. This dynamic makes cost management and strategic benchmarking top priorities for businesses deploying talent overseas today.

09 Feb

Posted at 21:27h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Infections
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_72322" align="alignleft" width="180"]David O. Freedman, M.D.Professor Emeritus of Infectious Diseases Editor of the Textbook of Travel Medicine World Health Organization—Member,  Emergency Committee on Zika Virus                 University of Alabama, Birmingham USA Dr. Freedman M.D.[/caption] David O. Freedman, M.D. Professor Emeritus of Infectious Diseases Editor of the Textbook of Travel Medicine World Health Organization—Member,  Emergency Committee on Zika Virus University of Alabama, Birmingham USA MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this outbreak? Response: India has reported 2 confirmed (PCR and ELISA) Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal State where the Kolkata megalopolis is located; the state borders Bangladesh. Symptom onset in both cases was late December 2025 in 2 health care workers. One patient has improved while the other remains in the ICU. All samples from 200 contact persons tested negative for NiV.  No further confirmed cases have been detected in West Bengal Bangladesh has reported 1 confirmed NiV case in Rajshahi Division which neighbors India. Symptom onset was January 21, 2026, and the patient expired on January 28. The patient reported no travel history but reported repeated consumption of raw date palm sap between 5 and 20 January.  All 35 contact-persons are being monitored and have tested negative for NiV and no further cases have been detected to date.

06 Feb

Posted at 17:10h in Global Health
Role of Mobile Field Hospitals In an era where pandemics pose significant threats to global health, preparedness is crucial. Mobile field hospitals have emerged as vital tools in healthcare strategies, enabling rapid responses during health crises. Their ability to be deployed swiftly makes them indispensable assets in pandemic planning. The increasing frequency of global pandemics highlights the importance of robust preparedness strategies. At the heart of these strategies are mobile field hospitals, often deployed as a medical shelter in crisis situations, which play a crucial role in enhancing the responsiveness of healthcare systems. These adaptable units are designed to provide critical medical services where traditional infrastructure may be lacking or overwhelmed. The versatility and mobility of these units have made them essential components in responding to health emergencies swiftly and effectively.

Key features and historical evolution of mobile field hospitals

Mobile field hospitals are temporary medical facilities designed to be deployed quickly to areas affected by crises. Equipped with essential medical equipment and staffed by trained healthcare professionals, they offer a range of services from emergency care to complex surgeries. Historically, their use dates back to military operations, where they provided care near battlefields. Over time, their application has expanded beyond military use, becoming instrumental in civilian disaster response efforts. The evolution of mobile field hospitals has seen significant advancements, particularly in their design and deployment capabilities. Modern units are modular and self-sufficient, capable of operating independently from existing infrastructure. This evolution reflects a broader trend towards improving the agility and effectiveness of emergency healthcare delivery systems. As healthcare needs continue to grow during crises, these hospitals have adapted to meet diverse challenges, including those posed by pandemics.

10 Apr

Posted at 20:32h in Global Health, Laboratories
Setting Up a Remote Research Facility   Setting up a research lab in the middle of nowhere might sound impossible—but it’s being done every day. From medical teams running mobile clinics in rural Africa to scientists tracking wildlife in the Amazon, remote labs are making a big impact in places that need it most. These setups aren’t built in shiny high-rises—they’re packed into vans, shipping containers, tents, and mobile offices. If you're running a charity project or chasing important data, the right setup can change lives. This guide shares real-world tips for launching your own remote lab, even on a tight budget. If you're dreaming of doing good in hard-to-reach places, this is where your journey begins—simple steps, big mission, and a whole lot of heart.
  1. Define Your Mission and Scope
Before anything else, get clear on why you're building a remote lab. Is it to study the environment? Bring medical care to rural villages? Track diseases in the field? Your mission will shape everything—from the tools you pack to the people you hire. A team working on a mobile malaria clinic in Uganda, for example, needs very different resources than a group collecting soil samples in the Amazon. Start with the end goal. What problem are you solving, and who benefits from your work? When your purpose is solid, decisions get easier. Your scope keeps the project focused, especially when you're working far from home, with limited resources and a lot of heart.

27 Jan

Posted at 14:31h in Global Health, Health Care Workers
  [caption id="attachment_66153" align="aligncenter" width="468"]Adapting to Global Trends for a Thriving Career in Healthcare Source[/caption] The healthcare industry is in a state of constant transformation, driven by global trends such as an aging population, increased accessibility to care, and advances in medical knowledge. Professionals in the field are finding themselves at a crossroads where adapting to these changes is no longer optional but essential. Careers in healthcare have expanded beyond traditional roles, and there is now a demand for those who can balance expertise with innovation to meet the needs of diverse populations. Adapting to global trends is about staying ahead of the curve and aligning skills with new expectations. Healthcare professionals who prioritize continuous learning, implement new practices, and expand their expertise are better equipped to thrive in this evolving landscape. Whether it’s adopting holistic practices or understanding workforce dynamics, staying informed and flexible is key to success. Let’s explore more on this below: Focusing on Family Health to Meet Growing Needs Family health is a cornerstone of global healthcare, and its importance continues to grow as populations age and chronic conditions become more prevalent. Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases are rising and often affect multiple generations within a family, requiring coordinated care that meets the needs of both individuals and their broader support systems. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) play a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive care that spans generations. From managing common illnesses to providing preventative care, FNPs help families navigate a range of health concerns. With increasing demand for accessible and personalized healthcare, the FNP role has never been more critical. Professionals seeking to advance in this field can benefit from programs like a 12 month FNP program online. These programs offer a practical path for healthcare workers to gain the necessary skills without pausing their current careers. Online education allows flexibility while equipping FNPs with the expertise to provide patient-centered care, manage chronic conditions, and promote preventative health. As family health needs continue to expand globally, those trained in FNP roles are positioned to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

27 Jan

Posted at 10:05h in Global Health
Global Health Issues Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • Understanding the Disparities in Health Concerns
  • The Basics of Targeted Medical Research
  • Strategic Approaches
  • Key Focus Areas
  • Conclusion 
  The world has become so interconnected these days that health challenges know no boundaries. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of how a regional concern can quickly become a worldwide problem. Global health issues affect communities in profound ways—from emerging infectious diseases to the rising burden of chronic conditions. To address these challenges, targeted medical research plays a crucial role in understanding and developing solutions. But have you ever considered how researchers determine which health issues to prioritize and how to develop solutions that work across different contexts? You’re about to discover the answers in this blog.

Understanding the Disparities in Health Concerns

When looking at worldwide health challenges, you’ll quickly notice they’re not distributed equally across the world. Some countries struggle with infectious diseases that have been controlled elsewhere, while others face a rising tide of lifestyle-related conditions. Several factors are to blame for such differences, including genetic variations, local healthcare delivery systems, resource utilization, and the prevailing customs in every country. In many parts of Africa and Asia, for instance, communicable diseases like pneumonia and malaria continue to claim countless lives. In more progressive regions like North America and Europe, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) top the list of health concerns. According to the World Health Organization, NCDs accounted for 73.9% share of worldwide deaths, with communicable diseases capturing 18.2 per cent in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, drove the figures higher at 23% and 28.1% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. COVID was among the top five causes of fatalities in all regions except for the Western Pacific and Africa in the said period. (1) Regional differences often shape how researchers approach different health challenges. However, most studies start with teams exploring the best medical research topics through online and offline sources. And through careful analysis of patterns, they can direct clinical research efforts where they’re most needed. This systematic approach ensures that available resources are focused on addressing the most pressing health concerns.

12 Jan

Posted at 15:15h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, Global Health, Lancet
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_58638" align="alignleft" width="150"]Prof Dianna J Magliano PhD Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Melbourne Australia Prof. Magliano[/caption] Prof Dianna J Magliano PhD Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Melbourne Australia  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Mortality among people with diabetes, and how it changes over time, is an important indicator of quality of and access to health care. However, population level trends in mortality among people with diabetes are inadequately described. The establishment of national diabetes registers, health insurance data and administrative data has allowed the examination of mortality among those with diabetes at a granular level which has been previously not possible. This has allowed us to examine whether global efforts in regards to diabetes care over the last couple of decades have been effective.

18 Aug

Posted at 14:32h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Nature
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_57971" align="alignleft" width="200"]Dr. Weston B Anderson PhD Postdoctoral Reasearch Scientist International Research Institute for Climate and Society The Earth Institute Dr. Anderson[/caption] Dr. Weston B Anderson PhD Postdoctoral Reasearch Scientist International Research Institute for Climate and Society The Earth Institute MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: We find that while drought continues to be a consistent trigger of food crises in Sub-Saharan Africa, protracted conflict has become relatively more important over the last decade. We furthermore find that pastoral livelihoods have taken longer to return to food secure conditions following droughts as compared to agricultural livelihoods.

13 Mar

Posted at 18:56h in Author Interviews, COVID -19 Coronavirus, CT Scanning, Global Health, Medical Imaging
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_53511" align="alignleft" width="191"]Soheil Kooraki  MSR MS, MD Dr. Kooraki[/caption] Soheil Kooraki  MSR MS, MD on behalf of Dr. Ali Gholamrezanezhad MD and co-authors Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, California MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: COVID19 is a novel strain of the coronavirus family causing pneumonia. Two similar strains were discovered in 2003 and 2012 to cause the so-called SARS and MERS outbreaks, respectively. Radiologists need to be prepared for the escalating incidence of COVID-19. We reviewed the literature to extract the epidemiologic and imaging features of SARS and MERS in comparison with known imaging features of COVID-19 pneumonia to have a better understanding of the imaging features of the COVID19 pneumonia in acute and post-recovery stages.

30 Jan

Posted at 20:06h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Infections
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_53025" align="alignleft" width="205"]Bin Cao, MD, PhD Professor, China-Japan Friendship Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Beijing 100029, China Dr. Bin Cao[/caption] Bin Cao, MD, PhD Professor, China-Japan Friendship Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Beijing 100029, China MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: In December, 2019, recent cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, was caused by a novel betacoronavirus, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). We report the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment and clinical outcomes of the first 41 patients with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection by Jan 2, 2020.

20 Jan

Posted at 21:00h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, Global Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52824" align="alignleft" width="100"]Prof. Andrea On Yan LUK (陸安欣) Associate Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Specialist in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Honorary Associate Consultant, Hospital Authority Prof. Andrea On Yan LUK[/caption] Prof. Andrea On Yan LUK (陸安欣) Associate Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Specialist in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Honorary Associate Consultant, Hospital Authority MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The overall mortality in people with diabetes has declined in many developed countries but little is known about the mortality trend in Asia. In this study, we examined the trend in mortality rates using a territory-wide database of 770,000 people with diabetes in Hong Kong.

09 Dec

Posted at 16:29h in Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Global Health, JAMA, Pediatrics, Vaccine Studies
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52391" align="alignleft" width="135"]Emily Parker Hyle, M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Emily Parker Hyle[/caption] Emily Parker Hyle, M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We found that many children who were planning to travel internationally were eligible for MMR vaccination prior to departure but often did not receive it - especially if they were aged 6 months to 6 years. That is because most children do not routinely receive their first dose of MMR till 12-15 months of age and their second dose of MMR till 4-6 years of age. However, ACIP recommendations are different for children who are traveling internationally. The risk of being infected with measles is much higher outside of the US, so it is recommended that children older than 1 year have had 2 MMR vaccinations and that children 6-12 months receive 1 MMR vaccination prior to travel. MMR vaccination is a safe and effective way to greatly reduce the risk of measles infection. 

14 Oct

Posted at 21:36h in Author Interviews, Global Health, HIV
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_51848" align="alignleft" width="200"]Rosalie Hayes Senior Policy & Campaigns Officer NAT (National AIDS Trust)  Rosalie Hayes[/caption] Rosalie Hayes Senior Policy & Campaigns Officer NAT (National AIDS Trust) MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The international community has committed to the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 (SDG 3.3). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV infection involves the use of antiretroviral drugs by people at high risk of acquiring HIV, and its efficacy of PrEP is well-documented. To help achieve SDG 3.3, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has recommended as one of its global targets that 3 million people access PrEP by 2020. For this paper, we examined European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and UNAIDS monitoring data from Europe and Central Asia (the 53 countries of the WHO European Region plus Kosovo* and Liechtenstein) to identify what progress has been made in implementing PrEP in these countries. We also used data on self-reported PrEP use and expressed need for PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2017) to calculate an estimate of the level of unmet need for PrEP in each country, what we term the ‘PrEP gap’. 

10 Oct

Posted at 18:06h in Author Interviews, Environmental Risks, Global Health, Melanoma
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_51801" align="alignleft" width="173"]Suzanne Dobbinson, PhD Senior Research Fellow Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Behavioural Science Division Australia Dr. Dobbinson[/caption] Suzanne Dobbinson, PhD Senior Research Fellow Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Behavioural Science Division Australia MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Skin cancer prevention programs, such as the SunSmart program in Victoria, have been implemented in Australia over 30 years with the aim of reducing the population’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main cause of skin cancer. A recent reduction in melanoma rates among younger Australians has led to this paper which examines the extent of behaviour change in Melbourne, Australia, and the potential contribution of prevention programs to the decline in melanoma rates. Previous population-based studies assessing the impact of these programs have focused on measuring the change in the prevalence of individual sun protection behaviours, and thus have largely overlooked the use of sun avoidance and composite sun protection behaviours. The focus on tracking individual behaviours may have underestimated the behaviour change associated with these programs. We analysed data from a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted in Melbourne during summer months between 1987 and 2017. These data include the summer before the SunSmart program commenced (1987-88) and across summers in three subsequent decades.

07 Sep

Posted at 21:37h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Mental Health Research, Pain Research, Psychological Science
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_51185" align="alignleft" width="200"]Dimitris Xygalatas, PhD Assistant Professor, Anthropology (Affiliate) Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) UCONN Dr. Xygalatas[/caption] Dimitris Xygalatas, PhD Assistant Professor, Anthropology (Affiliate) Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) UCONN MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Ever since I was a graduate student, I have been intrigued by the performance of ritual practices that involve pain, bodily harm, and other forms of suffering. These rituals carry obvious risks, including health risks, but despite these risks they are performed voluntarily by millions of people around the world. And even more intriguing is the fact that in various contexts such rituals are often culturally prescribed remedies for a variety of maladies. When I was doing my doctoral fieldwork, I studied the fire-walking rituals of the Anastenaria in Northern Greece, and I heard several people describing their experience of participation as one that involved both suffering and healing. And of course I am not the first anthropologist to document this link. But these observations seemed puzzling to me. Some years later, I met one of the co-authors of this paper, Sammyh Khan, who was asking very similar questions. We got a grant to design this study, and put together a team of researchers that spent two months in the field collecting data for this project. We studied the Hindu kavadi ritual, which involves piercing the body with numerous needles, hooks, and skewers, and various other forms of suffering. Our study took place in the island of Mauritius, where I have been conducting research over the last decade, but this ceremony is performed by millions of Hindus around the world. We used portable health monitors as well as interviews and survey instruments to document the effects of this ritual of psycho-physiological health and wellbeing. 

29 Aug

Posted at 16:52h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Health Care Systems
healthcare health care
At least one half of the world’s 7.7 billion population do not have proper access to crucial health services. Even high-income countries with accessible and affordable healthcare are finding it difficult to meet the needs of their citizens. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, millions of people spend a significant part of their household budget to be able to access health services -- some are even pushed into poverty as a consequence. Given these facts and statistics, a comprehensive understanding of health insurance can be crucial in encouraging people to seek healthcare services as well as avoid complications from preventable conditions. If you want to know more about the status of healthcare all over the world, here’s a look at the healthcare systems of three top nations. The State of Healthcare In The United States The United States is considered the most powerful country in the world; however, its healthcare system still lags behind other high-income countries. Currently, there is no universal healthcare for U.S. citizens. There are federal-funded programs such as Medicaid that provides health insurance to low-income populations, the elderly and people with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act, which aimed to provide health insurance to all, was enacted in 2010 under the Obama administration. However, this is being challenged by the Trump administration’s American Health Care Act of 2017, which also seeks major reforms to healthcare in the United States. Currently, U.S. citizens who are employed full-time receive private insurance through their employers. While some self-employed individuals and part-time employees opt for private health insurance, many of them have to pay for health services out-of-pocket. In many cases, these expenses are beyond their means. As it stands, healthcare has become one of the hottest issues in the lead-up to the country’s upcoming 2020 elections.

22 Aug

Posted at 01:00h in Author Interviews, Environmental Risks, Global Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Cong Liu, PhD Department of Environmental Health School of Public Health Fudan University Shanghai 200032, China MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Numerous time-series studies have examined the short-term associations between particulate air pollution (PM10 and PM2.5) exposures and daily mortality. However, most evidence has been obtained from studies in single cities, regions, or countries. There are challenges in comparing these results and in synthesizing effect estimates because of different modeling approaches and potential publication bias. Furthermore, there has never been a global representative concentration-response function for risk assessment and policy making. We and our co-authors established the Multi-City Multi-Country (MCC) Collaborative Research Network to perform a global assessment of the effects of weather or climate on mortality. This network allowed us to examine and compare the associations of PM concentrations with daily mortality at the global, regional, and country level with the use of a standardized analytic framework.

21 Aug

Posted at 23:54h in Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Global Health, Infections, Lancet, Pediatrics
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_51012" align="alignleft" width="150"]Tori Cowger, MPH Ph.D Student | Population Health Sciences Department of Epidemiology Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Tori Cowger[/caption] Tori Cowger, MPH Ph.D Student | Population Health Sciences Department of Epidemiology Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Globally, approximately one million cases of tuberculosis disease (TB) and 233,000 TB-related deaths occurred among children aged younger than 15 years during 2018. TB in children and adolescents is clinically and epidemiologically heterogeneous, making diagnosis, care, and prevention challenging. Understanding this heterogeneity can inform TB care and prevention efforts, and efforts to eliminate disparities in TB incidence and mortality in these groups. In this study, we describe the epidemiology of TB among children and adolescents in the United States, and report TB incidence rates for US territories and freely associated states and by parental country of birth, which have not been previously described.

21 Aug

Posted at 18:48h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Pediatrics, PLoS, Social Issues
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_51027" align="alignleft" width="149"]Jayanta Kumar Bora Guest Researcher IIASA|Laxenburg, Austria & Ph.D. Scholar Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi, India  Jayanta Bora[/caption] Jayanta Kumar Bora Guest Researcher IIASA|Laxenburg, Austria & Ph.D. Scholar Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi, India  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Although under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is declining in India, it is still high in a few selected states and among the scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) population of the country. We examined the disparities in under-five mortality in high focus states of India. The high-focus states in India were designated as such by the Indian government because of their persistently high child mortality and relatively poor socio-economic and health indicators. This study re-examines the association between castes and under-five mortality in high focus Indian states using the most recent Indian Demographic Health Survey data conducted in 2015-16. The study also aims to quantify the relative contribution of socioeconomic determinants to under-five deaths by explaining the gap between socially disadvantaged (SC and ST) and non-disadvantaged castes in high focus states. Identifying disadvantaged groups in high focus states can help to reduce the absolute and relative burden of under-five deaths in India.

21 Aug

Posted at 17:44h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Heart Disease, Mental Health Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Lasse Brandt, M.D. and Jonathan Henssler, M.D. Charité University Medicine Berlin, Germany MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Migration has increased globally and the effect of migration on health is highly relevant for clinicians, particularly in mental health. There is no increase in the risk for nonaffective psychosis in the home countries of migrants, so environmental factors could be of key importance. Refugees are often subjected to inhuman conditions. While migration has repeatedly been identified and confirmed as a risk factor for psychosis, the impact of refugee experience on this risk of psychosis was unclear. 

26 Jul

Posted at 13:28h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Opiods, Pain Research, Primary Care
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50430" align="alignleft" width="133"]Marisha Burden, MD, FACP, SFHM Associate Professor of Medicine Division Head of Hospital Medicine University of Colorado School of Medicine Dr. Burden[/caption] Marisha Burden, MD, FACP, SFHM Associate Professor of Medicine Division Head of Hospital Medicine University of Colorado School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The United States has seen a marked increase in opioid prescribing since 2000 and while there has been a slight decline in prescribing since 2012, prescription rates for opioids still remain much higher than in the late 1990’s and are considerably higher when compared to other countries. The US continues to see opioid-related complications such as overdoses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Hospitalized patients frequently experience pain and opioid medications are often the mainstay for treatment of pain. Studies have suggested that receipt of opioid prescriptions at the time of hospital discharge may increase risk for long-term use.

17 Jul

Posted at 21:15h in Author Interviews, Global Health, HIV, NEJM
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50304" align="alignleft" width="107"]Prof-Richard-Hayes.jpg Prof. Hayes[/caption] Dr. Richard J. Hayes, DSc, FMedSci Professor of Epidemiology and International Health London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: HIV incidence rates remain at very high levels in many parts of southern Africa. Universal testing and treatment (i.e., ensuring that everyone in a community tests for HIV and that everyone diagnosed with HIV is started on treatment as soon as possible) has been proposed as a strategy to achieve steep reductions in HIV incidence in generalized epidemics. Prior trials have shown inconsistent results as to whether this strategy could be effective. HPTN 071 (PopART) was carried out in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South Africa, with individual communities randomly assigned into one of three arms: A, B or C. The 14 communities in Arms A and B received annual rounds of home-based HIV testing by community health workers who supported linkage to care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and other HIV services. The seven communities in Arm C received the local standard of care. We looked to see if the HIV incidence in the communities receiving universal testing and treatment would be lower (over time) compared to the incidence in the standard of care communities.

02 Jul

Posted at 21:17h in Author Interviews, Global Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_50071" align="alignleft" width="200"]MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Leah Zallman, MD, MPH Assistant Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance. Director of Research Institute for Community Health Dr. Zallman[/caption] Leah Zallman, MD, MPH Assistant Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance. Director of Research Institute for Community Health MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: In October 2018, the U.S Department of Homeland Security published a proposed change to a longstanding immigration rule. The proposed change would increase the chance of an immigrant being deemed a “public charge”, and increase the chance of being denied legal permanent residency or entry to the United States. Up to now, enrollment in public food, housing and health insurance programs were not counted against immigrants applying for “green cards"; the proposed rule change drastically changes the intent of the rule and newly includes food, housing and health insurance programs as benefits that can be considered counted against immigrants. These proposed changes are expected to cause many immigrant parents to disenroll their families from safety-net programs, largely because of fear and confusion about the rule - even among families to whom the rule does not technically apply.

24 Jun

Posted at 10:24h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Infections, Vaccine Studies
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_49864" align="alignleft" width="200"]CDC Image Based on electron microscopic (EM) imagery, this three-dimensional (3D) illustration provides a graphical representation of a single norovirus virion, set against a white background. Though subtle, the different colors represent different regions of the organism’s outer protein shell, or capsid. Illustrator: Alissa Eckert, MS CDC Image
Based on electron microscopic (EM) imagery, this three-dimensional (3D) illustration provides a graphical representation of a single norovirus virion, set against a white background. Though subtle, the different colors represent different regions of the organism’s outer protein shell, or capsid. Illustrator: Alissa Eckert, MS[/caption] Lisa Lindesmith, MS Research specialist Ralph S. Baric, PhD Professor, Departments of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Immunology Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Gillings School of Global Public Health University of North Carolina MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly explain the types of outbreaks caused by Norovirus infections? Response: Noroviruses cause about 20% of endemic and 50% of food-borne acute gastroenteritis, infecting all age groups, globally.  While may different strains of norovirus cause outbreaks primarily in community settings, since the mid-1990’s the GII.4 strains of norovirus have caused waves of pandemic disease every 2-7 years.  These pandemics are associated with emergence of a GII.4 strain that has changed key viral domains rendering the virus less susceptible to recognition by and protection from a person’s immune system.  For a vaccine to be efficacious against pandemic GII.4 strains, it must be able to train the immune system to focus on the part of the GII.4 virus that does not change over time.

08 May

Posted at 21:25h in Author Interviews, Global Health, Infections, NEJM
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_49046" align="alignleft" width="133"]Birgit Nikolay PhDMATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF INFECTIOUS DISEASESInstitut Pasteur Dr. Nikolay[/caption] Birgit Nikolay PhD MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES Institut Pasteur  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Nipah virus was identified by the World Health Organization as an emerging infectious disease that may cause major epidemics if the pathogen evolves to become more transmissible, leading the organization to prioritize it for research to prevent future health emergencies. In the absence of efficient treatments or vaccines, the only way to control Nipah virus outbreaks is through targeted interventions that limit opportunities of spread. Designing such interventions is challenging in a context where transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood. The study provides important insights to better understand these mechanisms.