- In this global roundup, we bring you health stories from the past two weeks.
- Top health news: Early research shows blood test for Parkinson’s disease shows promise. Cancer incidence among people under 50 has increased significantly. U.S. authorities are considering reclassifying marijuana.
1. Experimental Parkinson’s disease blood test shows early promise
Preliminary studies have shown that blood tests can detect Parkinson’s disease, raising hopes that in the future doctors may be able to detect the disease at an earlier stage.
This experimental test will take many years to become commercially available, but given that diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is currently based on symptoms, it could be a valuable way to specifically identify Parkinson’s disease. be. If caught early, doctors may be able to intervene before the disease progresses and causes more damage to the nervous system.
This test is designed to detect damage to mitochondrial DNA that is known to be associated with the disease. Early studies have shown that the test may be able to detect higher levels of damage in the blood of people with Parkinson’s disease than in patients without the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Image: Statista
2. Cancer diagnosis rate for people under 50 has increased by 80% in 30 years
The number of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer has increased by nearly 80% over 30 years, according to a new study.
Globally, the number of early-onset cancer cases increased from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019. During this period, deaths from breast, tracheal, bronchial and lung cancers increased by more than a quarter. , gastric cancer and colorectal cancer, which have the highest mortality rates.
Based on research projections, the incidence of early-onset cancer is expected to increase by almost a third in 2030, and mortality rates will increase by 21%.
The incidence and mortality rates associated with early-onset cancer are rapidly increasing.
Image: BMJ Oncology/Jianhui Zhao, Liying Xu, Jing Sun
3. News Overview: More health news from around the world
U.S. health officials have recommended reclassifying marijuana to a low-risk category. It is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which designates it as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Nearly 40 states in the United States have legalized the drug in some form, but it remains illegal in other states and at the federal level.
This news comes with research showing that while the cannabis compound is helpful for some people with some medical conditions, others should avoid it. It may reduce seizures in epilepsy patients and help patients with chronic pain, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as help reduce palliative care. However, this drug can also lead to poor mental health and should be avoided by people with mental illnesses. It should also be avoided by pregnant women as well as teenagers and young adults whose brains are still developing.
The latest COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer have been shown to have stronger responses to highly mutated virus variants, raising concerns among scientists. The new variant has prompted Britain to begin rolling out additional vaccines earlier than planned.
According to an analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, the number of abortions performed in American states where abortion remains legal has increased significantly. This increase is particularly pronounced in states that border states that have enacted stricter laws. In Georgia and neighboring South Carolina, where the ban is in place, abortion rates increased by 124% between 2020 and 2023. New Mexico saw a 220% increase over the same period.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalized abortion nationwide. The new ruling legalizes the procedure in all 32 states after a court ruled that denying it violates women’s human rights.
The UK becomes the first country in the world to start offering injections to treat cancer. The immunotherapy drug atezolizumab is delivered as a jab rather than intravenously, reducing the time it takes to administer the drug and avoiding problems associated with difficult-to-access veins.
Brazilian blood donors were given the opportunity to watch the Copa do Brasil final for free. The Rio de Janeiro State Sports Authority, which manages the Maracana stadium where the soccer tournament’s final will be held, said the first 100 fans who donate will be given tickets.
A popular nasal decongestant used by millions of Americans has been deemed “the equivalent of a dummy pill” by the U.S. government, with Food and Drug Administration researchers and advisors unanimously voting for a drug called phenylephrine. voted against the validity of.
world economic forum health care center We work with governments and businesses to identify and strengthen solutions to build resilient, efficient, and equitable health systems. Below are some examples of the impact the Center has had.
Global vaccine supply: The Forum actively supports global vaccine distribution efforts, and its contributions to COVAX have enabled the distribution of more than one billion coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. The Forum also played a key role in launching Gavi, the vaccine alliance that has saved more than 13 million lives over the past 20 years.
Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative: Through this collaborative initiative, the Forum is actively working to accelerate advances in the discovery, testing, and delivery of interventions for Alzheimer’s disease.
Mental health policy toolkit: In collaboration with Deloitte, the Forum has developed a comprehensive toolkit to help legislators develop effective policies related to mental health technology.
New coronavirus countermeasure platform: In the midst of the pandemic, the Forum partnered with a variety of organizations to launch more than 40 initiatives around the world to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Global Alliance for Value in Healthcare: The Forum’s coalition fosters a sustainable and equitable healthcare industry. The company launched an innovative value-based healthcare hub to address global health spending inefficiencies.
UHC2030 Private sector constituency: This constituency, organized by the Forum, plays an important role in advocating for universal health coverage and highlighting the potential of the private sector to contribute to achieving this ambitious goal.
If you would like to get involved or learn about other initiatives undertaken by the World Economic Forum, please contact us.
4. Agenda Health Details
A company is working on a scent that will repel mosquitoes without using harmful chemicals. DSM-Firmenich, one of the world’s largest flavor and fragrance manufacturers, reduces the health burden of mosquito-borne diseases by incorporating mosquito-repellent scents into everyday products such as soaps and laundry detergents. I would like to contribute to these efforts.
Since the pandemic, drones have been increasingly used to deliver medicines and vaccines to vulnerable populations. See how the World Economic Forum’s Medicines from the Sky initiative is making a difference in rural India.
Addressing health equity is a top priority if we are to avoid some of the health impacts of climate change. The climate crisis has many health consequences, including an increase in both communicable and non-communicable diseases, but its burden is being felt unevenly around the world.