The Behavioral and Cognitive Manifestations of Blindness in Children

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Pring ◽  
Valerie Tadić
Keyword(s):  
Motor Development ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Developmental Studies ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Ground-breaking progress in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders has allowed us far more insight into blindness and visual impairment (VI). The field of cognitive neuroscience has now established itself solidly in the literature, combining the knowledge from cognitive psychology, clinical studies related to brain damage, and neuroscience to open the way to significant advances in understanding. In recent years, the optimism engendered from the adult studies has played a large part in providing the impetus for developmental studies and in particular developmental neuroscience (Johnson 2005; Tager-Flusberg 1999). It is from this developmental neuroscience perspective that we can begin to understand the cognitive and behavioral manifestations associated with blindness and VI; albeit with the proviso that children with VI present particularly heterogeneous developmental patterns when compared to typically developing children (Fraiberg 1971). In considering the effects of blindness and VI, this chapter will focus on social understanding, language, cognition, and motor development. However, it begins with brief introductions to epidemiology and the effects of blindness on the functional and structural organization of the brain, which it is hoped will provide a useful context in which to consider the development of children who cannot see. Today the number of blind people in the world stands at 45 million, even though up to 75% of blindness could be avoided either by treatment or by prevention. The number of people with avoidable blindness will have doubled from 1990 to 2020 unless there is rapid and effective intervention, and the total number of the blind is projected to be as many as 76 million by 2020. To prevent this scenario, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) have jointly initiated Vision 2020, a project that aims to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness by the year 2020, with the ultimate long-term goal of a world in which all avoidable blindness is eliminated and in which everyone with unavoidable vision loss reaches their full potential. The top priority of Vision 2020 is the prevention of childhood blindness. At present there are 1.4 million children under the age of 15 who are blind.

scholarly journals In Memoriam Dietrich Hoffmann

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 254-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Klus ◽  
M Kunze ◽  
Beiträge Editors of
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
International Agency ◽  
The World ◽  
In Memoriam ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
National Governments

AbstractDietrich Hoffmann passed away on April 20, 2011, at his home in Larchmont, New York. He had suffered from Parkinson's disease for more than 20 years. With Dietrich Hoffmann's death the tobacco community lost one of its most prominent scientists, who was familiar with all areas of tobacco research. His work guided and influenced a whole generation of scientists working in the tobacco industry, universities, regulatory agencies, national governments or international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is an obligation of honor for the authors M. Kunze, H. Klus, and the editors of BeiträgezurTabakforschung International publish a short tribute in memory of Dietrich Hoffmann.

The potential of the nursing profession to transform services

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-63
Author(s):  
Lisa Forbes
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Nursing Profession ◽  
World Health ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Lisa Forbes asks if the full potential of nursing as a profession has yet to be realised outside the traditional health environment

scholarly journals Critical Review of the Effects of Glyphosate Exposure to the Environment and Humans through the Food Supply Chain

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Torretta ◽  
Ioannis Katsoyiannis ◽  
Paolo Viotti ◽  
Elena Rada
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Global Market ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Synthesis Product ◽  
Great Success ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Glyphosate is a synthesis product and chemical substance that entered in the global market during the 70s. In the beginning, the molecule was used as an active principle in a wide range of herbicides, with great success. This was mainly due to its systemic and non-selective action against vegetable organisms and also to the spread of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops, which over the years were specifically created with a resistance to glyphosate. To date, the product is, for these reasons, the most sprayed and most used herbicide in the world. Because of its widespread diffusion into the environment, it was not long before glyphosate found itself at the center of an important scientific debate about its adverse effects on health and environment. In fact, in 2015 the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France), an organization referred to as the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland), classified the substance as “likely carcinogenic” to humans. This triggered an immediate and negative reaction from the producer, who accused the Agency and claimed that they had failed to carry out their studies properly and that these conclusions were largely contradictory to published research. Additionally, in 2015, just a few months after the IARC monography published on glyphosate, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy), another WHO related organization, declared that it was “unlikely” that the molecule could be carcinogenic to humans or that it could cause any type of risk to human health. The conflict between the two organizations of the World Health Organization triggered many doubts, and for this reason, a series of independent studies were launched to better understand what glyphosate’s danger to humans and the environment really was. The results have brought to light how massive use of the herbicide has created over time a real global contamination that has not only affected the soil, surface and groundwater as well as the atmosphere, but even food and commonly used objects, such as diapers, medical gauze, and absorbent for female intimate hygiene. How human health is compromised as a result of glyphosate exposure is a topic that is still very debatable and still unclear and unambiguous. This paper is a review of the results of the main independent recent scientific studies.

scholarly journals A Retrospective Study of Causes of Low Vision in Saud Arabia, A Case of Eye World Medical Complex in Riyadh

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Z. Alotaibi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Right

<p>Vision is the ability of seeing with a definite understanding of features, color and contrast, and to distinguish between objects visually. In the year 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness formulated a worldwide project for the eradication of preventable loss of sight with the subject of “Vision 2020: the Right to Sight”. This global program aims to eradicate preventable loss of sight by the year 2020. This study was conducted to determine the main causes of low vision in Saudi Arabia and also to assess their visual improvement after using low vision aids (LVD).The study is a retrospective study and was conducted in low vision clinic at Eye World Medical Complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The file medical record of 280 patients attending low vision clinics from February 2008 to June 2010 was included. A data sheet was filled which include: age, gender, cause of low vision, unassisted visual acuity for long distances and short distances, low vision devices needed for long distances and short distances that provides best visual acuity. The result shows that the main cause of low vision was Optic atrophy (28.9%). Retinitis pigmentosa was the second cause of low vision, accounting for 73 patients (26%) followed by Diabetic retinopathy and Macular degeneration with 44 patients (15.7%) and 16 patients (5.7%) respectively. Inter family marriage could be one of the main causes of low vision. Public awareness should be embarked on for enlightenment on ocular diseases result in consanguineous marriage. Also, it is an important issue to start establishing low vision clinics in order to improve the situation.</p>

scholarly journals The Covid-19 Epidemic in Serbia – the Challenges of Finding an Appropriate Basis for Responding to a Health Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofija Nikolić Popadić ◽  
Marko Milenković ◽  
Marta Sjeničić
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Case Part

Abstract The World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 pandemic on 11 March, 2020. Serbia declared a State of Emergency (SoE) on 15 March, just days after the country’s first official case, part of an unprecedented global wave of emergency responses, with states reacting differently to the threat of the virus. Decision makers in Serbia opted to declare a SoE, followed by a series of governmental decrees and ministerial orders. This paper examines the Serbian government’s initial response. The legislation in force in March 2020 is analysed to explore what possibilities and instruments could have been used, with particular focus on legislation regarding infectious diseases and disaster responses, which allowed for the declaration of an emergency situation, and the introduction of legitimate restrictions to fight the outbreak. The paper concludes that the full potential of all available measures and instruments was not exhausted, especially regarding legislation relating to an emergency situation.

scholarly journals Why authors have to use a rigid format for their journal articles

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Heseltine
Keyword(s):  
Medical Writing ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Good Science ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
The World ◽  
Science Paper ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization

‘Proper words in proper places make the true definition of style.’ Jonathan Swift Medical writing is a creative process. It combines rhetoric and science to produce a piece of work that connects the scientific community with the general public. However, despite pressure to publish, many researchers dread the thought of medical writing. It can be an intimidating journey and hard work – and after all, where does one learn how to write a good science paper? Is there a recipe for success? The answer lies in the IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion) structure. This allows authors to organise and structure their work in an effective manner, which maintains the emphasis on the matter of good science. Some may think applying such a structure is too formulaic and breeds mediocrity. Others may believe IMRaD allows authors to organise thoughts and ideas as well as helping them to remember to convey critical elements. That it makes evaluation of a manuscript easier for editors and reviewers and also allows readers to locate specific information without going through the entire article is less contentious. Although the IMRaD structure may not reflect the order of scientific enquiry and activities, most journals continue to apply it to medical articles. It appears that having such a discipline to writing opens the doors to those who have not yet overcome their writer’s block. In the third article of the publishing series, Elisabeth Heseltine informs readers ‘how to write’. Elisabeth became a scientific editor through science rather than language. She has worked as a researcher on the BBC science programme Horizon, as a proof-reader and then as a copy-writer. She is head of publications at the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, in Lyon, France. She has edited many documents for other United Nations agencies and for research institutes around the world. She also runs workshops in scientific communication in over 30 countries. JYOTI SHAH Commissioning Editor

California's Glyphosate Judgement – Emotion, Bad Science and Greed Win the Day

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 204-205
Author(s):  
Alex Berezow
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Jurors in California have awarded $289 million to a man who claimed that his cancer was due to Monsanto's herbicide glyphosate, even though that is biologically impossible. Even the judge acknowledged that there was no evidence of harm. Yet, trial lawyers manipulated a jury's emotions and the public's misunderstanding of science to score another jackpot verdict. The plaintiff, Dewayne Johnson, claims that glyphosate gave him non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that occurs when the immune system goes awry. There are three major problems with this claim. First, as stated above, glyphosate does not cause cancer because it does not harm humans. It is an herbicide, so it is only toxic to plants. There is no known biological mechanism by which glyphosate could cause cancer, therefore its carcinogenicity is not even theoretically possible. That is why there is not a single reputable public health agency that believes glyphosate causes cancer. The US Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, and the European Food Safety Authority all reject claims of any link. The only organization of note that rejects this scientific consensus is a group within the World Health Organization called the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Contrary to all evidence, the group insists that glyphosate causes cancer – along with bacon and hot water. The truth is that IARC is a fringe outlier, staunchly ideological rather than scientific, and rife with financial conflicts of interest. Christopher Portier, a special adviser to the IARC working group that examined glyphosate, was also working for the activist organization the Environmental Defense Fund and received $160,000 from trial lawyers who stood to profit handsomely if IARC declared glyphosate a carcinogen because they could file suits in lawsuit-happy California. IARC's credibility has been so thoroughly shattered that Congress recently pulled its funding. Secondly, although the root cause of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is unknown, that does not mean its etiology is completely open to speculation. Lymphomas originate from white blood cells, so scientists believe that autoimmune disease or chronic infections play a role. Just because the plaintiff's attorneys can fool a jury into believing that glyphosate causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma does not mean there is any scientific evidence – and there is not. Thirdly, glyphosate has been off-patent for 18 years, and about 40% of the world's glyphosate is made in China. So, why pick on Monsanto when several different companies could have supplied the glyphosate the plaintiff used?

scholarly journals Introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Aljurf ◽  
Navneet S. Majhail ◽  
Mickey B. C. Koh ◽  
Mohamed A. Kharfan-Dabaja ◽  
Nelson J. Chao
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Cancer Death ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Global Age ◽  
The World ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractCancer is a growing healthcare problem worldwide with significant public health and economic burden to both developed and developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths in 2020. The International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) estimates that globally one in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Low- and middle-income countries have been disproportionately affected by the rise of cancer incidence and account for approximately 70% of global cancer deaths. At the same time, substantial innovations in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer have improved patient outcomes; global age-standardized cancer death rates showed a 17% decline from 1990 to 2016.

scholarly journals Surgical hygiene

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Alexander Levit ◽  
Denise Darmawikarta
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Resource Limitations ◽  
The World ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Surgical Checklist

Overwhelming rates of postsurgical adverse outcomes have been recognized to be preventable. As a means of minimizing the incidence of iatrogenesis, in 2005 the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Clean Care is Safer Care campaign, which focused on the importance of hand hygiene. Following its success, the WHO hoped to utilize similar strategies in their Safe Surgery Saves Lives campaign, which began in 2007. Despite active efforts to implement the associated 19-step surgical checklist, resource limitations restrict the full potential of such harm reduction strategies. Here, we discuss current evidence evaluating the effectiveness of the WHO’s surgical checklist and address challenges with respect to its application in the real world.

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