ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: INITIATIVES & PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Author(s):  
H.M. Snyder ◽  
M.C. Carrillo

An estimated 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015 and this number is expected to triple by 2050. There is a clear urgency for therapies and / or interventions to slow, stop or prevent dementia. Amounting evidence suggests strategies to reduce risk of development dementia may be of growing import for reducing the number of individuals affected. The Alzheimer’s Association believes, from a population based perspective that: (1) Regular physical activity and management of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. diabetes, obesity, smoking and hypertension) have been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia; (2) A healthy diet and lifelong learning/cognitive training may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The current evidence underscores the need to communicate to the broader population what the science indicates and to do so with diverse stakeholders and consistent messaging. There has never been a better time to define and distribute global messaging on public health for dementia.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Sadeghi ◽  
Bahman Cheraghian ◽  
Zahra Mohammadi ◽  
Sadaf G Sepanlou ◽  
Sahar Masoudi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In 2017, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) provided a new guideline for hypertension prevention and management. We aimed to update the prevalence, awareness, control and risk factors of hypertension based on this guideline and to estimate the number of people who are eligible for non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic intervention. Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Khuzestan, a large province in the southwest of Iran. Comprehensive information about the potential risk factors of hypertension was collected and blood pressure, blood biomarkers, and anthropometric were measured. Moreover, the dietary pattern was evaluated in 10% of the participants, using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire.Results: A total number of 30,506 individuals aged 20-65 years was included in this study. In comparison to previous guideline (JNC8), the prevalence of hypertension in Khuzestan dramatically increased by 27.04% after implementation of ACC/AHA (15.81% vs 42.85%), which was more dominant in the male population and the 50-59 age group. The sex and age adjustment of the hypertension prevalence was estimated to be 39.40%. The number of individuals required antihypertensive treatment was slightly increased from 15.53% to 21.18%; however, the level of awareness and control dramatically dropped by 23.17% & 31.78%, respectively. All hypertension-related risk factors remained significant after applying the new guideline; however, the strength of the association was reduced in the risk factors like age, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, alcohol consumption, water pipe usage, and physical activity. Similarity, the association between hypertension and history of diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were decreased by 38%, and 62%, respectively.Conclusions: In the ACC/AHA guideline, a higher number of individuals with the pre-hypertension condition had been shifted into the hypertension category and the level of awareness, treatment, and control was dramatically fallen, which highlight a great need to expand the public health infrastructure for further managing the substantial increase in the public health burden of hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.Q Wu ◽  
X Li ◽  
J.P Lu ◽  
B.W Chen ◽  
Y.C Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In China, an abundance of cardiovascular risk factors has contributed to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which caused almost 4 million deaths per year. However, comprehensive evidence on the geographical profiles of cardiovascular disease risk in China is lacking, as findings in prior studies have been limited to relatively small sample sizes, had incomplete regional coverage, or focused on a narrow risk factor spectrum. Purpose To compare the population CVD risk among different regions across China, and to describe the geographical distributions of CVD risk factors and their clusters throughout the nation. Methods In a nationwide population-based screening project covering 252 counties of China, standardized measurements were conducted to collect information on 12 major CVD risk factors. Individuals of high CVD risk were identified as those with previous CVD, or with a predicted 10-year risk of CVD greater than 10% according to the WHO risk prediction charts. We applied factor analysis to generate “clusters” that characterized the clustering of these risk factors, then explored their relationship with the local ambient temperature and per capital GDP. Results Among 983476 participants included, 9.2% were of high CVD risk, with a range of 1.6% to 23.6% across counties. Among the seven regions in China, the rate was relatively high in the Northeast (11.8%) and North China (10.4%), while low in the South China (7.2%) and Northwest (7.8%). We identified 6 clusters underlying CVD risk factors, including Obesity factor, Blood pressure factor, Staple food factor, Non-staple food factor, Smoking and alcohol factor, and Metabolic and physical activity factor (Figure). We found high risk regions were facing different leading challenges, like obesity and blood pressure for the North China, while unhealthy non-staple food for the Northeast. The South China, as the region with the lowest CVD risk, still had the highest prevalence of unhealthy staple food. Lower annual average ambient temperature was associated with higher risk in Blood pressure factor, Obesity factor and Non-staple food factor, but lower risk in Staple food factor and Metabolic and physical activity factor (p<0.001 for all), consistently between rural and urban. Higher per capital GDP was associated with lower risk in Non-staple food factor in urban and higher risk in Metabolic and physical activity factor in rural (p<0.05 for both). The correlation between per capital GDP and Smoking and alcohol factor differed significantly between in rural and urban regions (p=0.042). Conclusions The geographical profile of CVD risk in China is complex - population risk levels varied substantially across regions, which were contributed by different risk factors. China needs geographically targeted intervention strategies considering environmental and socio-economic factors to control CVD risk and reduce the burden related to CVD. Geographical disparity of risk clusters Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The National Key Research and Development Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China; the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Bellisario ◽  
R Bono ◽  
G Squillacioti ◽  
M Caputo ◽  
I Gintoli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Childhood obesity is an important public health issue worldwide and includes different risk factors, such as environmental pollutants exposure or physical activity. Neighborhood composition and green spaces availability could contrast obesogenic lifestyles and promote healthy habits, whereas, urbanization and traffic volume exposure are inversely associated with physical activity and worsen effects on childhood health. Methods This project analyzed students involved in the HBSC survey from the Piedmont Region. Data were collected in 2018, following the protocol. All the subjects were georeferenced within buffers around schools. Green-spaces availability was measured by Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI-satellite images) while urbanization was calculated by population density, traffic intensity (satellite measurements) and air pollution concentration (sampling stations). Results Overall, the sample included 3022 subjects, with amount 50% male/female and 30% for each age group (11-13-15 years old). Concerning weight status, above 14% of the all sample is obese or overweight, with, respectively, 20% among boys and 11% among girls. Preliminary analyses showed an association between weight status and population density (rural vs urbanized areas). Currently, we are analyzing the association with greenness and the other measures of urbanization. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that high urbanization levels impact health implementing weight in children. We are testing the hypothesis that greenness positively influences weight status and reduce negative effects of urbanization and air pollution. The managing of these risk factors must be deepened and corroborated by active preventive Public Health strategies for improving children health. Key messages Urbanization and greenness may influence weight status in children. Public Health strategies must be improved for children health.


2017 ◽  
Vol 211 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Jacob

SummarySuicide, a common cause of death in many low- and middle-income countries, has often been viewed through a medical/psychiatric lens. Such perspectives medicalise social and personal distress and suggest individual and medication-based treatments. This editorial argues for the need to examine suicide from a public health perspective and suggests the need for population-based social and economic interventions.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e040865
Author(s):  
Weicong Cai ◽  
Shangmin Chen ◽  
Liping Li ◽  
Pengying Yue ◽  
Xiaofan Yu ◽  
...  

ObjectivesData on the problem of physical activity-related injury (PARI) in university students and the risk factors for PARI among different genders are rare. We conducted a multicentre population-based study to investigate the occurrence of PARI and to explore the gender-specific risk factors for PARI among Chinese university students.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsA total of 5341 students in grades 1–3 at eight universities in four Chinese cities were selected to complete the online questionnaires during March and April 2017. The questionnaires assessed sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity PA) involvement, sleep duration, sedentary behaviour and PARI experiences in the past 12 months.Main outcome measuresPARI during the past 12 months.ResultsAmong the 5341 participants, 1293 suffered from at least one PARI in the past 12 months, with an overall incidence rate of 24.2% (males: 26.2%, females: 23.2%) and an injury risk of 0.38 injuries/student/year (males: 0.48, females: 0.32). Over half of the injured (57.3%) experienced a withdrawal time of PA and nearly two-fifths (39.6%) required medical attention. Irrespective of gender, Shantou and Xi’an students, sports team members and those who engaged in sports and leisure-time vigorous-intensity PA (VPA) at a higher frequency were more likely to suffer from PARI. Male students who participated in sports and leisure-time VPA for long durations had a greater likelihood of sustaining PARI, while having a chronic condition and being involved in sports and leisure-time moderate-intensity PA at a higher frequency and longer duration were potential contributors to PARI among females.ConclusionsThe occurrence of PARI and its risk factors differed by gender, which provides a direction towards developing targeted and effective gender-specific preventative programmes to protect Chinese university students from PARI.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko

For more than half a century fellows of the National Academy of Kinesiology have enthusiastically advocated for the promotion and adoption of physically active lifestyles as an affordable and effective means to prevent chronic diseases and conditions, and enhance independence and high quality of life for older adults. It is possible to discern distinct evolutionary stages when examining scholarship related to the role of physical activity in the promotion of healthy aging. Research into physical activity and aging began with critical early studies that established the underlying scientific evidence for a relationship between physical activity and healthy aging. More recent work has addressed such topics as building consumer demand, developing policies and legislation to support active aging, and understanding the complex interrelationships between physical activity and other lifestyle factors in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and conditions. It is increasingly apparent that strategies to promote active and successful aging must be integrated into an effective public policy. Kinesiologists and other health professionals, working in collaboration with colleagues from other disciplines, can help to reduce risk factors for chronic disease and improve quality of life for older adults by building awareness of the importance of physical activity and by assisting with the development and implementation of appropriate and effective interventions that reduce risk factors and improve quality of life.


Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte A Larsson ◽  
Bledar Daka ◽  
Margareta I Hellgren ◽  
Maria C Eriksson ◽  
Lennart Råstam ◽  
...  

Introduction: Clusters of metabolic variables and their effects on incidence of type 2 diabetes have been studied previously; however, little is known about the effects on diabetes from risk factor clusters including lifestyle and self-rated health. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that clusters of common cardiovascular risk factors, including lifestyle and self-rated health, can predict development of type 2 diabetes in men and women, respectively. Methods: In 2002-2005, 2816 men and women, 30-74 years, were randomly selected from two municipalities in southwestern Sweden and assessed with regard to cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors within the Skaraborg Project (76% participation). Participants performed an OGTT, had blood samples drawn, had anthropometric measurements and blood pressure taken, and answered validated questionnaires about e.g. leisure-time physical activity (with four answer alternatives from intensive to sedentary) and self-rated health (with five alternatives from excellent to very poor). Using the same protocol, 1332 participants from the baseline survey where re-examined in 2011-2014. After excluding those with diabetes at baseline, 1268 participants were included in this prospective population-based study. Results: Factor analysis (using varimax rotation) identified significant loadings (≥0.40) on the following three identical factors in men and women: the metabolic factor , comprising HOMA-ir, WHR, systolic blood pressure, and apolipoprotein B-to-A1 ratio; the vitality factor , comprising physical activity and self-rated health; and the addiction factor , comprising smoking and alcohol consumption. After a mean follow-up of 9.7±1.4 years, 76 cases of diabetes were identified; 46 in men and 30 in women. In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for all principal components, age, and educational level, the metabolic factor significantly predicted type 2 diabetes in both men (OR: 3.3, CI: 2.3-5.0) and women (OR: 3.5, CI: 2.2-5.6). Furthermore, a predictive effect of the vitality factor was also seen in women (OR: 1.8, CI: 1.2-2.9), but not in men (OR: 1.1, CI: 0.8-1.6), whereas the addiction factor had no effect in either men or women. Conclusions: This is to our knowledge the first time principle components of cardiovascular risk factors, including both metabolic and lifestyle variables, have been used to predict incidence of type 2 diabetes. The gender difference observed with regard to the combined impact of self-rated health and physical activity are novel and indicates a mechanism beside the metabolic syndrome that warrants further gender-specific exploration in future studies.


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