Friday, 8 March 2013

9 March, 2013


World Bank and Planning Commission to analyse medicine use for better healthcare delivery
In a bid to improve provision of healthcare services, a study on responsible use of medicines and consensus-building on drug policy will be undertaken, under the aegis of the World Bank and the Planning Commission, a statement released on Friday said. IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics will be involved in these studies, according to a statement released by them. ‘Discussions are underway to initiate research projects with the Planning Commission of the Government of India on patient access to affordable medicines and healthcare, and with the World Bank on responsible medicine use in India and Bangladesh,’ Amit Backliwal, general manager, South Asia, IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics said.
As part of the Planning Commission study, the IMS Institute would build consensus among healthcare stakeholders and recommend a framework to provide effective, appropriate and sustainable access to medicines. ‘The study will start by May, and bring together leading policy advisors, educators, researchers and medical care providers to initiate research activities and apply evidence-based approaches to address this key healthcare issue. Responsible use of medicines is a global hot topic. We have already started audit of doctor’s prescription,’ Backliwal said. He also elaborated that the study with the World Bank would assess the potential impact of improvements in responsible medicine use from both a health outcomes and cost savings perspective.
‘The study will look into the increased medicine adherence by addressing patient beliefs and behaviours at the point of prescription and during medicine intake. It will also look upon on how to manage polypharmacy where the concurrent use of multiple medicines, particularly among the elderly, risks costly complications,’ he added.
09.03.2013


Loneliness taxes your immune system

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Loneliness spurs production of proteins signalling the presence of inflammation, linked to coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the frailty and functional decline that can accompany aging, say researchers.

"It is clear from previous research that poor-quality relationships are linked to a number of health problems, including premature mortality and all sorts of other very serious health conditions," says Lisa Jaremka, postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Behavioural Medicine Research at the Ohio State University, who led the research.

"One reason this type of research is important is to understand how loneliness and relationships broadly affect health. The more we understand about the process, the more potential there is to counter those negative effects- to perhaps intervene," adds Jaremka, according to an Ohio statement.

The results are based on a series of studies conducted with two populations: a healthy group of overweight middle-aged adults and a group of breast cancer survivors.

The researchers measured loneliness in all studies using the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, a questionnaire that assesses perceptions of social isolation and loneliness.

Jaremka presented the research at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology annual meeting in New Orleans.


09.03.2013




In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure


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