Health inequality: A lost decade

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Polly Moffat
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Inequality ◽  
Lost Decade ◽  
First Time ◽  
Landmark Study

A report to mark 10 years since the landmark study, Fair Society, Healthy Lives, has revealed that for the first time in over a century life expectancy in England has flat-lined

Cytokines as central to peripheral sensitization and hyperalgesia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Schutzer-Weissmann
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Sensitization ◽  
New Era ◽  
Human Trials ◽  
Pain Research ◽  
Pressure Test ◽  
Rat Paw ◽  
First Time ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Landmark Study

The landmark study discussed in this chapter, published in a letter to Nature in 1988 by Ferreira et al., marked the beginning of a new era of pain research. It demonstrated elegantly and for the first time that cytokines are central to peripheral sensitization and the phenomenon of hyperalgesia. The authors first injected various cytokines into rats’ paws and then tested for hyperalgesic activity using a modified Randall–Sellito rat-paw pressure test. They found that interleukin-1β‎ evoked a dose-dependent hyperalgesic response in the injected paw. The investigators then tried to isolate the peptide domains that were responsible for interleukin-1β‎s hyperalgesic activity and identified two tripeptide sequences which had hyperalgesic activity. Since then, after almost three decades of inquiry into their role in the induction and maintenance of hyperalgesia and other phenomenon such as allodynia, the first human trials of interleukin-1β‎ antagonists for the treatment of pain have begun.

scholarly journals Panspermia - A Modern Astrophysical and Biological Approach

1985 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 157-164
Author(s):  
J. Mayo Greenberg ◽  
Peter Weber
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Random Motion ◽  
Bacterial Spore ◽  
Laboratory Simulation ◽  
Percent Survival ◽  
Biological Approach ◽  
Quantitative Estimates ◽  
First Time

For the first time a laboratory simulation of the effect of the interstellar environment has been used to provide quantitative estimates of bacterial spore survival in the space between the stars. In the diffuse regions between clouds ten percent survival is limited to at most hundreds of years although one in ten thousand may survive for several thousand years. Within common dense clouds the ten percent life expectancy is extended to tens of millions of years because of the severely reduced ultraviolet within these clouds as well as because of the accretion of ultraviolet absorbing mantles on the spores. The random motion of molecular clouds is shown to provide a possible vehicle for transport of spores from one solar system to another. The most hazardous times in such a journey are at the start and finish and, although the requirements for survival during these periods are quantified here, the possibility or probability of their being satisfied remains pure conjecture.

scholarly journals Reflections on communication of disease prognosis and life expectancy by patients with colorectal cancer undergoing palliative care: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e023463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gudrun Rohde ◽  
Ulrika Söderhamn ◽  
Ingvild Vistad
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Palliative Treatment ◽  
Palliative Chemotherapy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Disease Trajectory ◽  
First Time ◽  
Line Chemotherapy

ObjectivesPatients with colorectal cancer undergoing palliative treatment receive extensive treatment-related information throughout their disease trajectory. We aimed to explore the experiences of patients with incurable colorectal cancer while in palliative care and their reflections on the information provided by physicians and nurses. Our main focus was the patients’ thoughts about how information about disease status and life expectancy was communicated, from the first time that they were informed about the incurable nature of their disease through to postsurgery palliative treatment.SettingsPatients with colorectal cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy.Research designWe used a qualitative approach, and the data were analysed by qualitative content analysis.Participants20 patients (34–75 years of age) were included in the study; 12 received first-line chemotherapy and 8 received second-line chemotherapy. Eleven patients were treated by oncologists, and nine were treated by junior physicians.ResultsData-driven empirical analysis identified three themes: (1) inadequate information during the initial phase of the disease trajectory; (2) hope and information further into the disease trajectory and (3) personal, professional and organisational factors that influenced information and communication throughout the disease trajectory.ConclusionThe participants’ experience of being told for the first time that they had an incurable disease was perceived as inadequate, while postsurgery palliative chemotherapy, physicians and nurses offered hope. The participants preferred customised information about their treatment and likely future prospects and physicians and nurses who took a holistic and compassionate approach focusing on their lifeworld. To be a sensitive, holistic and compassionate physician or nurse requires knowledge and confidence. To achieve this requires training and guidance at universities and in hospitals.

scholarly journals Marital behavior of the elderly population in Serbia

2014 ◽  
pp. 677-685
Author(s):  
Marija Ivkovic ◽  
Jovana Todoric ◽  
Marija Mucic
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Divorce Rates ◽  
Historical Heritage ◽  
First Time ◽  
Culture Tradition ◽  
Marital Behavior

The aim of this paper is to examine contemporary marital behavior of the population in Serbia older than 65 years. Models of marital behavior are a reflection of culture, tradition, local customs, economic status, cultural and historical heritage, and as such are subject to change. Extending the life expectancy of the population, and the change of socio-economic and cultural circumstances, had led to changing in marital behavior and marital structure of the old population. To track these changes and comprehend the current situation, we analyzed indicators such as the marriage and divorce rates for this age group, as well as current marital structure, comparing them with previous values. It is particularly noteworthy that for the first time (based on data from the 2011 census), we can analyze the frequency and characteristics of informal marriage unions (cohabitation), which provides important insights into the marital life of the elderly.

scholarly journals Use of Western Australian linked hospital morbidity and mortality data to explore theories of compression, expansion and dynamic equilibrium

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Lynch ◽  
C D'Arcy J Holman ◽  
Rachael E Moorin
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
The Public ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Hospital Morbidity ◽  
First Time ◽  
Western Australian

Three hypotheses have been advanced to predict changes in population health in countries experiencing low birth and death rates, and increasing expectation of life. Determining which of these best accounts for changing patterns of illness and death is an important step in understanding both the public health and economic impacts of health interventions in an ageing population. The aim of this study was to use the WA Data Linkage System to evaluate the compression, expansion and dynamic equilibrium theories in Western Australia. Changes in life expectancy, average age at first-time hospitalisation and time spent in chronic disabling or activity limiting states were used to evaluate the competing hypotheses. Life expectancy increased by 4.0 and 2.6 years over the 24-year study period in males and females, respectively. However, average time spent with a diagnosed chronic disabling condition increased by 9.2 and 9.4 years in males and females, respectively. These results suggest that an increase in the ?medicalisation of more serious morbidity? may be in operation in Australia.

scholarly journals A publicly well-accepted measure versus an academically desirable measure of health inequality: cross-sectional comparison of the difference between income quintiles with the slope index of inequality

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e028687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Ho Khang ◽  
Dohee Lim ◽  
Jinwook Bahk ◽  
Ikhan Kim ◽  
Hee-Yeon Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Inequality ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Income Quintile ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Index Of Inequality ◽  
The Difference

ObjectivesThe difference between income quintiles in health is relatively well accepted by the general public as a measure of health inequality. However, the slope index of inequality (SII) in health reflects the patterns of all social groups, including the middle 60%, and it could therefore be considered more academically desirable. If these two measures are closely correlated, the widespread use of the difference between income quintiles in health would be better supported. This study was conducted to compare differences between income quintiles in life expectancy (LE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) with the SII.DesignCross-sectional comparison using correlational analysis of district level income differences in LE and HLE with associated SII.SettingAll 252 subnational districts of Korea.ParticipantsA total of 342 439 895 subjects (171 287 729 men, 171 152 166 women) and 1 753 476 deaths (970 928 men, 782 548 women) between 2008 and 2014 were analysed.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDifference in LE and HLE by income quintile and associated SII.ResultsThe Pearson correlation coefficients between differences between income quintiles and the SII were generally high: 0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.98) for LE in men and women combined and 0.96 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.97) for HLE in men and women combined. In most districts, the SII was greater than the difference between income quintiles.ConclusionDifferences between income quintiles were closely correlated with the SII. The widespread use of differences between income quintiles in health as a measure of health inequality may be preferable for communicating results of health inequality measurements to the public.

scholarly journals A health inequality impact assessment from reduction in overweight and obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Mette Bender ◽  
Jan Sørensen ◽  
Finn Diderichsen ◽  
Henrik Brønnum-Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Inequality ◽  
Disease Prevalence ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Cardiometabolic Diseases ◽  
Medium Education ◽  
The Future ◽  
Short Education

Abstract Background In recent years, social differences in overweight and obesity (OWOB) have become more pronounced. Health impact assessments provide population-level scenario evaluations of changes in disease prevalence and risk factors. The objective of this study was to simulate the health effects of reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in populations with short and medium education. Methods The DYNAMO-HIA tool was used to conduct a health inequality impact assessment of the future reduced disease prevalence (ischemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes, stroke, and multi-morbidity) and changes in life expectancy for the 2040-population of Copenhagen, Denmark (n = 742,130). We simulated an equalized weight scenario where the prevalence of OWOB in the population with short and medium education was reduced to the levels of the population with long education. Results A higher proportion of the population with short and medium education were OWOB relative to the population with long education. They also had a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases. In the equalized weight scenario, the prevalence of diabetes in the population with short education was reduced by 8–10% for men and 12–13% for women. Life expectancy increased by one year among women with short education. Only small changes in prevalence and life expectancy related to stroke and IHD were observed. Conclusion Reducing the prevalence of OWOB in populations with short and medium education will reduce the future prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases, increase life expectancy, and reduce the social inequality in health. These simulations serve as reference points for public health debates.

scholarly journals A health inequality impact assessment of leveling down overweight and obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bender ◽  
J Sørensen ◽  
F Diderichsen
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Inequality ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Disease Prevalence ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
High Educational Level ◽  
Short Education

Abstract Background Social differences in the proportion of overweight and obesity have increased in recent decades. Health impact assessments provide population-level valuations of changes in disease prevalence related to scenarios with different risk factors levels. These scenarios can be focused on reducing overweight and obesity among people with low socioeconomic position. Methods This study included the projected population of Copenhagen, Denmark in year 2040 (n = 742,130). Using the DYNAMO-HIA tool we conducted a health inequality impact assessment. Future prevented disease prevalence (IHD, diabetes, stroke, and multi-morbidity) and change in life expectancy related to an equalized scenario were estimated in a scenario where the prevalence of overweight/obesity (OWOB) in the group of people with short and medium educational attainment was reduced to the levels of people with long education. Results A higher proportion of people with short and medium education were OWOB than among people with long education and they had higher prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases. The diabetes prevalence among people with short education was reduced by 8-10% for men and 12-13% for women and life expectancy with diabetes decreased by one year in the group of women with short education. No notable effect of the equalized OWOB was seen regarding life expectancy with and prevalence of stroke and IHD. Conclusions Reaching the low prevalence of OWOB observed among people with high educational level, will reduce future cardiometabolic disease, increase life expectancy and meanwhile reduce the social inequality in health. These findings can serve as relevant references points for public health planners. Key messages This study is the first to combine advanced mathematical modelling and population data to assess changes in health from reducing socioeconomic inequality in obesity and overweight. These results propose valuable reference values for outcome assessments of interventions on inequalities in health.

scholarly journals WOMEN’S ROLE AND POSITION IN THE EMERGENCE OF HOMO SAPIENS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-122
Author(s):  
Jacques COULARDEAU ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Spiritual Dimension ◽  
Black Africa ◽  
The World ◽  
Women's Role ◽  
Temporal Specifications ◽  
First Time

Homo Sapiens (HS) started emerging around 300,000 BP. HS, a long-distance fast bipedal runner had a 29-year life expectancy. The ensuing physiological mutations caused the birth of long-dependent children. Their side-effect was enhanced vocal articulation. Linguistic phylogeny produced language with three time-ordered articulations: 1- rotation vowels-consonants into roots; 2- space- and timecategorization of roots into stems; 3- functional and temporal specifications of stems into fronds. Women henceforth developed as spiritual members in their communities, hereinafter their place in the production of symbolic cave and mobiliary art. The spiritual dimension of such symbolism must heavily be centered on women. Around 45,000 BCE all over the world, HS communities who had migrated out of Black Africa between 250,000 and 70,000 BP developed women-centered symbolism for the first time on durable media, though male-centered hunting weapons and tools had been produced even by previous Hominins.

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