Is physiology the locus of health/health promotion?

A current trend in physiology education involves the use of clinical vignettes to demonstrate the importance of knowing normal physiology to appreciate pathophysiology. Although laudable, in effect, such tactics promote the so-called "disease" model of medicine while at the same time suggesting that the only utility for the knowledge of physiology is to understand pathophysiology. This would seem to be at odds with health professions and institutions, who maintain their goal is to promote health. Yet, a search for the locus of "health" education in typical curricula is not easily found. Given the developing interest in biological systems as well as aging, it is suggested that these topics may provide a basis for locating physiology as the locus for understanding "health."     

Community-based mental health care in Africa: mental health workers’ views

The World Health Organization (WHO) has for long proposed the development of community-based mental health services worldwide. However, the progress toward community mental health care in most African countries is still hampered by a lack of resources, with specialist psychiatric care essentially based in large, centrally located mental hospitals. It is again time to reconsider the direction of mental health care in Africa. Based on a small inquiry to a number of experienced mental health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa, we discuss what a community concept of mental health care might mean in Africa. There is a general agreement that mental health services should be integrated in primary health care. A critical issue for success of this model is perceived to be provision of appropriate supervision and continuing education for primary care workers. The importance of collaboration between modern medicine and traditional healers is stressed and the paper ends in a plea for WHO to take the initiative and develop mental health services according to the special needs and the socio-cultural conditions prevailing in sub-Saharan Africa.     

A picture of health? Unmasking the role of appearance in health

Evaluating health requires visual assessment. From the meticulous self-scrutiny of a worried woman in front of the looking glass to the doctor's reaction at the sight of a patient in the examining room, external appearance plays an important role in appraising health above and beyond clinical assessment. However, this dominance of the visual in our image-driven culture has assumed a disproportionately prominent position. Media, businesses, and health care commonly misrepresent appearance as the reality of health. Industry mongers beauty-promoting wares and services as health-protecting products, and physical appearance contributes to clinicians' imperfect heuristics. An explanation for this focus on appearance is persistence of the ancient belief that looks indicate inner character. In this article we unmask the historical origin of this belief and reveal how it contaminates contemporary approaches to health assessment and maintenance.     

What are health authorities doing about the health problems caused by unemployment?

Unemployment is over three million in Britain, and unemployment is known to be associated with poor health. It has been suggested that health authorities should produce a comprehensive response to the health problems caused by unemployment, and a survey was undertaken to find how many had done so. All the regional and district health authorities in England, the health boards of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the family practitioner committees of England and Wales were asked by letter what they were doing to respond to the health problems of unemployment. A list of suggestions of what they might be doing was enclosed. The overall response rate was 77% (255/331), and 50% (127/255) of the respondents were doing something--33.3% (3/9) of the regional health authorities, 64% (101/158) of the district health authorities and health boards, and 26% (23/88) of the family practitioner committees. The paper describes what they were doing. A relation was sought between the level of unemployment in an area and the extent of the response, and a significant association was found. Half of Britain''s health authorities are now responding in some way to the health problems associated with unemployment.     

What is river health?

1. Traditionally the assessment of river water quality has been based solely on the measurement of physical, chemical and some biological characteristics. While these measurements may be efficient for regulating effluent discharges and protecting humans, they are not very useful for large-scale management of catchments or for assessing whether river ecosystems are being protected. 2. Measurements of aquatic biota, to identify structural or functional integrity of ecosystems, have recently gained acceptance for river assessment. Empirical evidence from studies of river ecosystems under stress suggests that a small group of biological ecosystem-level indicators can assess river condition. However, physical and chemical features of the environment affect these indicators, the structure and function of which may be changed by human activities. 3. The term ‘river health’, applied to the assessment of river condition, is often seen as being analogous with human health, giving many a sense of understanding. Unfortunately, the meaning of ‘river health’ remains obscure. It is not clear what aspects of river health sets of ecosystem-level indicators actually identify, nor how physical, chemical and biological characteristics may be integrated into measures rather than just observations of cause and effect. 4. Increased examination of relationships between environmental variables that affect aquatic biota, such as habitat structure, flow regime, energy sources, water quality and biotic interactions and biological condition, are required in the study of river health.     

A bill of health for biometrics?

Few industries have such a need to promote privacy, fight fraud and cut costs at so many different levels as the healthcare market. Yet despite readily available biometric solutions on offer to combat these issues, Btt reveals this potentially lucrative sector is not yet yielding returns.     

Is lycopene beneficial to human health?

Since humans cannot synthesise carotenoids de novo, we depend upon the diet exclusively for the source of these micronutrients. Although the necessity for beta-carotene, as the precursor of vitamin A has been recognised for many years, it is lycopene that has attracted substantial interest more recently. Lycopene is the red-coloured carotenoid predominantly found in tomato fruit, but in few other fruits or vegetables. It has claimed that it may alleviate chronic diseases such as cancers and coronary heart disease. This possibility has been studied extensively, by epidemiological studies and biochemical investigations of its properties and its bioavailability from tomato-based diets. This article summarises the current state of knowledge of the properties of lycopene, its possible role in human health and areas for future research.     

Wonder or evil?: Multifaceted health hazards and health benefits of Cannabis sativa and its phytochemicals

Cannabis sativa, widely known as ‘Marijuana’ poses a dilemma for being a blend of both good and bad medicinal effects. The historical use of Cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes suggests it to be a friendly plant. However, whether the misuse of Cannabis and the cannabinoids derived from it can hamper normal body physiology is a focus of ongoing research. On the one hand, there is enough evidence to suggest that misuse of marijuana can cause deleterious effects on various organs like the lungs, immune system, cardiovascular system, etc. and also influence fertility and cause teratogenic effects. However, on the other hand, marijuana has been found to offer a magical cure for anorexia, chronic pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and disturbed sleep. Indeed, most recently, the United Nations has given its verdict in favour of Cannabis declaring it as a non-dangerous narcotic. This review provides insights into the various health effects of Cannabis and its specialized metabolites and indicates how wise steps can be taken to promote good use and prevent misuse of the metabolites derived from this plant.     

How primary health care professionals and residents assess issues related to the oral health of older persons?

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00355.x
How primary health care professionals and residents assess issues related to the oral health of older persons? Background and objectives: It is known that older persons need integrated primary health care. However, oral health may not be a frequent concern of multi‐professional teams taking care of older persons. The aim of the present study was to evaluate knowledge and practices related to oral health care, as reported by professionals and residents in a primary health care service. Material and methods: One hundred and seventy‐three health professionals and residents were assessed in this cross‐sectional study by means of a structured questionnaire containing questions pertaining to oral health practices and beliefs. Participants were grouped based on their professions into “primary health care dentists” or “other primary health care professionals” and based on their working status into “permanent team” or “residents”. Results: Permanent team members (other professionals) assessed and recommended dental care more frequently than residents. Permanent team members (other professionals) also reported that they felt they were able to inform older patients in respect to oral health‐related issues more frequently than did residents (68.7% vs. 31.3%, respectively). Conclusion: Oral health‐related knowledge and beliefs were frequent among non‐dentists primary health care workers, suggesting that primary health care which integrates oral health represents an attainable goal.     

Do facial averageness and symmetry signal health?

We investigated whether the attractive facial traits of averageness and symmetry signal health, examining two aspects of signalling: whether these traits are perceived as healthy, and whether they provide accurate health information. In Study 1, we used morphing techniques to alter the averageness and symmetry of individual faces. Increases in both traits increased perceived health, and perceived health correlated negatively with rated distinctiveness (a converse measure of averageness) and positively with rated symmetry of the images. In Study 2, we examined whether these traits signal real, as well as perceived, health, in a sample of individuals for whom health scores, based on detailed medical records, were available. Perceived health correlated negatively with distinctiveness and asymmetry, replicating Study 1. Facial distinctiveness ratings of 17-year-olds were associated with poor childhood health in males, and poor current and adolescent health in females, although the last association was only marginally significant. Facial asymmetry of 17-year-olds was not associated with actual health. We discuss the implications of these results for a good genes account of facial preferences.     

Are community health centers prepared for bioterrorism?

Community health centers (CHCs) are essential in the delivery of primary care services to underserved populations. Given the critical function of CHCs, surprisingly little is known about their role in preparing for or responding to acts of terrorism. This survey-based study examines the state of CHCs in terrorism preparedness and assesses their training needs. Of the administrators who responded to the survey, 87% indicated that their centers had an emergency response or disaster plan. Of those, 78% indicated they had updated their plans within the past year. Among those who had a written plan, 41% addressed bioterrorism preparedness, 38% had contingencies for a mass influx of patients, and 3% indicated that their plans addressed increasing operational capacity. Additionally, while 48% reported having assessed the education and training needs of their professional staff in the area of disease surveillance and reporting, only 24% had assessed these needs in relation to bioterrorism. Our findings suggest that CHCs have made great strides in preparing for some emergencies but that preparedness does not yet extend to specifically include terrorism events. Policy and practice recommendations are included to more fully develop CHCs as a resource.