A radical new approach to behavior change for public health
A new approach to behavior change which has been shown to successfully change hygiene, nutrition and exercise-related behaviors is described in a paper published in Health Psychology Review.Behavior Centred Design (BCD), devised by Dr. Robert Aunger and Professor Valerie Curtis of the London School of…
Healthy diet boosts children’s reading skills
A heathy diet is linked to better reading skills in the first three school years, shows a recent study from Finland. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study constitutes part of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study conducted at the University…
Persistent childbirth pain increases risk of postnatal depression
New research presented at this year’s World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) in Hong Kong (28 Aug-2 Sept) shows that women who experience persistent childbirth pain are more likely to develop postnatal depression (PND) following the birth of their child. The study was conducted in 2016…
Intensified and multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and known vascular damage extends life by around 8 years
A long-term Danish follow-up study published in Diabetologia now shows that intensified and multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and a common complication microalbuminuria extends median lifetime by 8 years.Type 2 diabetes is a common disorder afflicting 5–10% of the adult population in…
People with alcohol dependency lack important enzyme
A research group under the leadership of Linköping University Professor Markus Heilig has identified an enzyme whose production is turned off in nerve cells of the frontal lobe when alcohol dependence develops. The deficiency in this enzyme leads to continued use of alcohol despite adverse…
SAVE – Sleep Apnea Treatment: No Cardiovascular Benefit
More than 3 years of nightly treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine did not reduce cardiovascular risk more than usual care among patients with cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Findings from the Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints (SAVE) study were presented at…
More difficult to achieve controlled drinking than to give up alcohol entirely
People who are seeking treatment for alcohol dependence and whose goal is to quit drinking entirely are more likely to achieve this goal if they are treated by a care provider who advocates total abstinence. Those who wish to learn to drink in moderation are…
Early life exposure to antibiotics is related in an increased risk of developing allergies later in life
Research presented at this year’s European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in London, UK shows that exposure to antibiotics early in life is related to increased risk of developing allergies later in life. The research is by Dr Fariba Ahmadizar, Utrecht University, Netherlands and colleagues.
Nebivolol prevents anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity
Nebivolol prevents anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, according to research presented at ESC Congress 2016 today by Professor Mirela Cleopatra Tomescu, a cardiologist at Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.1“Breast cancer is a major public health problem worldwide, with a death rate of about 1…
Activity tracker uses heart rate to personalise amount of exercise needed to prevent death
A novel activity tracker has been developed that uses heart rate data to personalise the amount of exercise needed to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The science behind the tracker is presented for the first time today at ESC Congress 2016.“The health…
Internet and mobile devices prompt positive lifestyle changes
When guided by internet programs or mobile devices, people can become more physically active, eat better, lose a little weight and reduce tobacco and alcohol use. Most studies using these interventions lasted less than six months, making it unclear whether these kinds of behavioral changes…
ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias launched
European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias are published online in European Heart Journal and on the ESC Website.Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over four million people in Europe each year. At least 80% of CVD could…