Blog 10: Yoga Helps Women With PTSD

Summary: Women who recently participated in a study to see the reduction of post traumatic stress disorder recently tried yoga. Women who were in the control study group also reported similar symptoms however researchers found. Both who were and were not affected by PTSD reported to improve emotionally. One in 10 U.S. women is affected by PTSD, yoga helps these ladies with their sleeping and flashbacks to traumatic experiences. In actuality PTSD affects women twice as often then men. 

The women’s average was forty four years old and completed a follow-up assessment one month after each session ended. The improvements were decrease in flashbacks and hyperarousal symptoms. Yoga may help regulate the endocrine system as well as the nervous system which in turn may balance issues associated with PTSD, along with stress hormones. 

Analysis: New research has been found that both women who are and not affected by post traumatic stress disorder may find a new outlet to help them through the stressors of everyday life as well as the horrific traumas they may have experienced. Yoga was studied recently to see the effects that it produces and for both the control group and study group it presented positive effects. This new finding could help women across the globe find relief through this exercise and finally receive the help needed. Many women who are in areas of war as well as high crime rate may experience PTSD dramatically more than others. This new research is promising in helping women across the globe be able to receive help without need of medicine. Women in lower developed countries may not even be able to receive medication for their traumatic experiences, and in turn yoga could greatly help especially since no need of equipment is really needed. PTSD can also make you have physical health problems, so reduction is especially important. Hopefully with well educated instructors teaching others about this new found treatment which is relatively cost efficient will help the health of women across the globe.

Source:http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140418/yoga-may-help-women-ease-ptsd-symptoms

Blog #9 Britain's First Case of Female Genital Mutilation

Summary: In 2012 a woman gave birth to a child, and afterwards was experiencing bleeding and needed stitches. Unfortunately, his patient had gential mutilation which is rather common in the UK. The doctor is supposed to appear in court next week on charges of committing female genital mutilation himself. A man was present who was believed to be a relative of the patient who will too need to stand trial due to being accused of encouraging the female genital mutilation and encourage repairing the damage. The doctor will be the first to be prosecuted in Britain after 29 years ago when the act of female genital mutilation was criminalized there.

Analysis: Unfortunately with so many advances for women across the globe, female genital mutilation is still a problem in the world. Almost always, women do not have a choice in the say and often are performed due to cultural traditions. Normally female genital mutilation involves removing either partial or total of the external genitalia. This procedure does not agree with human rights and obviously in unfortunately still being practiced today. The procedure does not have any gain in terms of sanitation and the public needs to be educated about the effects that can take place due to it. It is important that women have a voice and the ability to say no as well as educated as to how negative this procedure can be in terms of health. It can cause complications for them when the grow older especially with childbirth.


Source: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/united-kingdom/140408/britain-female-genital-mutilation-trial

Blog #8: Progress for Women in Less Developed Countries

Summary: Progress has been made for women in developing countries to help the prevention of excessive bleeding after child birth. This new drug is said to be in circulation with 12 countries starting in June. The World Health Organization will conduct this new innovation drug research with Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the UK and Uganda. This research trial will take place over a span of eighteen months and will test the effectiveness. This new innovative drug can be stored at room temperature in hot and tropical locations which is a wonderful plus unlike drugs they used before.

Analysis: A new drug is in research which will help women in less developed countries will help women with excessive bleeding after child birth. Thankfully, this new drug will be able to be kept at room temperature unlike oxytocin which was most commonly used however, it needed to be refrigerated. Many health centeres around those areas with women having this problem unfortunately had unreliable energy supplies. Less developed countries were not able to have up to par storage facilities as well as harsh roads to cross which make it particularly hard during rainy seasons in this area. This new drug will be able to successfully decrease mortality rates for both the mothers and the new born infants in these areas. If this new drug works effectively the new maker of the drug will work with the World Health Organization to make this drug a reasonable price for those in less developed countries.  This new drug shows promise in helping the women in less developed countries gain proper medical health for both them and their children as well as being affordable, easily stored and effective.


Source: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/apr/04/drug-excessive-bleeding-after-childbirth-save-lives

Blog 7: New Findings on Air Pollution

Summary: One of the biggest environment risk for today would be air pollution which results in one in eight deaths. New research has increased the amount of deaths by double and seven million deaths a year are attributed to air pollution. Approximately, a large sixty one percent of air-pollution related deaths in 2012 all cooked over coal or wood. Last year the World Trade Organization deemed air pollution as a type of carcinogen. Air pollution is is detrimental to health due to little particles going deep into the lungs which causes inflammation and is also believed to increase rates of stroke, heart disease and cancer.

Analysis: Air pollution causes terrible problems to the health of those around it, especially in heavily populated areas. New research from the World Trade Organization shows that one in eight deaths is due to air pollution and is even believed to be a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and cancer. The largest amount of pollution to new findings also points to indoor pollution which can occur when a family cooks with wood or coal. The World Trade Organization also pointed out that women and children were also the most likely to suffer from indoor air pollution due to more likely spending more time at home. Poverty is also a large factor when in relation due to air pollution due to poverty becoming more and more common in such urbanized areas. Urbanization and areas around the globe have cities more suseptable to air pollution from power stations, burning rubbish and even emissions from agriculture. Areas with poor life styles also lead to high air pollutants which are often over crowded, lack of sanitation as well as tobacco use which are all negative factors. Hopefully, air pollution will begin to be seen as a harsh reality that greatly affects human health and new measures will be taken. Education about the need for not only proper ventilation but also new procedures and codes will be enforced for not only our health but also the earth's.

Source: http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/opinion/2014/3/28/51005/Air-pollution-causing-one-in-eight-deaths

Exercise in Women Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer

Summary: Breast Cancer is an ever present problem for women around the world which many women unfortunately go through. A new study has found that exercise greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer in women despite their age, how long they have been exercising, as well as how much they weigh. Women who exercise more than one hour a day were seen to benefit the most and have lowest breast cancer risk by 12 percent. Researchers did note that the amount of activity wasn't a necessity and that women who exercised not as long and vigorous also saw benefits of lowered risk for breast cancer. The decrease also doesn't matter of where the women is located.

Analysis: A recent study has shown that breast cancer risk is greatly reduced if women are some what active. They do not have to exercise a great amount, however those who worked out an hour a day saw the best benefit. These women's risk were 12 percent, it didn't matter the women's weight, age or menopausal status just as long as they were exercising. Another positive piece was that it was universal and that it did not matter where the women was located but that the benefits were the same. This is a positive for women due to the amount of those affected by breast cancer each year and it could be very beneficial for those in developing countries where medical treatment is difficult as well as prevention.



Analysis:
Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/03/20/291894075/exercise-cuts-breast-cancer-risk-for-all-women-everywhere

Blog #5: Canada's Leadership in Health Care has Impact Globally

Summary: Canada will now host a Summit focused around mothers, newborns and child health according to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Summit will be built on top of Canada's example with maternal, newborn and infant health and help other global leaders in both developing and developed countries to begin and make process. Not only will countries learn from Canada's procedure but international organizations, civil society, private sectors and foundations will too be educated. The Summit will give Canada and other global leaders the ability to convene and create a new consensus for future efforts internationally with maternal, newborn and child health.

Analysis: Undeveloped countries have been struggling with reducing disease and issues with pregnancies and child health. Fortunately, the Prime Minister Stephen Harper has recognized this and called a Summit to convene to discuss proper ways to help lengthen the lifespan of mothers and their children. With the help of Canada who is a leader in terms of effective health care they will be able to create a strategy in order for international organizations, undeveloped countries, and foundations to go by in order to increase the health of expectant mothers and their children. In developing countries women and children have a greater risk of dying from preventable causes which could be stopped if their was some sort of health initiative underway. The number of deaths globally for children under the age of five has declined strongly, in 1990 12 million and in 2012 6.6 million. Along with children under the age of five, women dying each year from pregnancy has reduced as well from 543,000 deaths in 19990 and in 2011 287,000. Progress is being made,  however it is still a large problem globally inadequate health opportunities for mothers and their children.

Source: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/03/06/pm-convenes-canadian-experts-and-global-leaders-maternal-newborn-and-child-health

Blog #4: Infectious Disease Increasing

Summary: Societal health concerns are beginning to quickly become more of a global health risk. Infectious disease are becoming more and more of a problems and not only affects the population but also the economy and the world as a whole. About 80 percent of nations are not prepared to tackle, treat and stop infectious diseases that turn into a pandemic. Cancer along with other particular disease are another epidemic that still does not have a vaccination or cure. Sadly, a third of these deaths are preventable if the nation was able to properly educated and facilitate their civilians. The most common types of cancer are lung, breast, colorectal, liver as well  as stomach. These types of cancer are most common in developing countries. Cervical cancer which is actually preventable with a HPV vaccination is the number four cause of cancer death in women world wide. The reason for women dying of a preventable type of cancer is due to lack of screening and treatment in areas that are not as developed as needed. 

Analysis: Unfortunately health can become a type of luxury in particular countries around the world. Some developing countries do not have the resources to be able to reach out to it’s civilians and help prevent and diagnose infectious diseases and cancers that could be a threat. When comparing a developed country to a less developed one would be that 35 women out of 100,000 received a diagnoses of cervical cancer whereas a developed country there would be 7 out of 100,000. It is important to raise awareness that many of the disease that men and women are dying from are in fact preventable and undeveloped countries may need to seek assistance from those that are developed. 

http://guardianlv.com/2014/02/global-health-concerns-are-much-more-than-infectious-disease/

Blog 3: Women are still Dying in Pregnancy and Child Birth

Summary: Health care access is a great luxury in some parts of the world and is a key contributor in the well being of many mothers. According to  the Huffington post every minute a woman dies from childbirth or problems occurring during pregnancy. These said complications are often quite preventable if a health facility was more readily available. Often in developing countries medical treatment takes several hours to reach and even once they reach it their might be a language barrier. Peruvian women in indigenous parts of the country experience these high mortality rates unfortunately. A majority of these women give birth at their home without any medical assistance and are often not educated on how to prepare for labor. Women in such remote places also do not receive proper prenatal care and often their unborn child will begin to have complications not only for the infant but for the mother as well. 

Analysis: Unfortunately mortality rates for women and their child are high due to lack of medical treatment. When a mother does die an older child will often drop out of school in order to take care of their younger siblings making it difficult to educate the remote population about not only health but helping them move up the social class ladder out of poverty. It would greatly affect remote countries mortality rates if their people were able to receive education about health factors during pregnancy which in turn would also help educate families in how to move out of poverty. With such remote areas becoming educated and moving out of poverty developing countries could soon begin to become industrialized and contributing goods globally. Mortality rates in women are quite preventable and infant death raters are not as complicated as assumptions would lead. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-pfeiffer/the-benefits-of-community-for-infant-health_b_4825486.html

http://www.who.int/features/qa/12/en/

Blog #2: Sexual Assault on Women and the Affect on Health

Summary: Sexual assault is an increasing issue and one out of every fourteen women in the world has been a victim. Those who live in central sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia,  New Zealand as well as Australia are facing an endemic in relation to sexual assault. The news has heightened the public's awareness due to recent rapes that have occurred in India and South Africa with women. In North America 13% of women have reported being raped and is ranked the 6th highest out of 21 geographic regions. However, this region may have a more accepting as well as comfortable environment to be able to report rapes and sexual assault than others. The estimated economic cost in North America in relation to sexual assault ranges from $87,000 to $240,776 per rape and includes medical costs, law enforcement, and lost productivity. Sexual assault affects women not only physically but mentally as well such as depression, chronic pain, anxiety, post traumatic stress, and eating disorders.

Analysis: Sexual Assault greatly affects women's health with not only the physical wounds but as well as mentally. Women who have been assaulted sexually often show signs of depression as well as anxiety, eating disorders and post traumatic stress syndrome. North America has a larger amount of reported sexual assaults than most geographic regions, but it is important to take into account how other regions may not have such an accepting view of women reporting men to their respective law enforcement agencies. After sexual assault with no mental therapy process may quickly become despondent as well as unproductive and unable to work which in turn greatly affects society and the economy. Unfortunately, women in sexually assaulted instances often do not report their assault which in turn causes reports to not be as accurate as possible. With such a world wide problem and the health risks that are associated with these assaults, diminishing the occurrences of them would greatly decrease  the depression rates as well as help women's mental health statistics to be positive in their favor instead of negative.

Sources:
 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/22/obama-sexual-assault-report-white-house-council-on-women-and-girls/4776949/

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/1-14-women-reports-non-partner-sexual-assault-worldwide-n27876

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/02/12/women-face-high-sexual-assault-rates-globally/

Blog #1: New Risk Factors of Stroke in Women are Discovered

Summary

 Both the American Heart Association as well as the American Stroke Association soon decided that they needed to focus on researching risk factors of women. The risk factors for women are rather similar to men in accordance to stroke, however their risks increase due to hormone changes through pregnancy and birth control. The risk factors found were quite shocking, as to a large majority of women have a problem with them. They are migraines, depression, diabetes, as well as abnormal heart rhythms. Of course the normal risk factors are in accordance to with the newly found factors. Women are increasingly beginning to outlive men by a large gap, with this gap their risk of stroke becomes higher. They are more than likely to be living at home as a widow when a stroke may occur and will likely be put in a assisted living community and take longer to recuperate. 

Analysis

Problems of having stroke are universal and often associated with one who has high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, however after new research coming to light that will change. Stroke is not just the third leading cause of women in the United States but in India a third of all deaths are from strokes.  With finding new information about risk factors for women, perhaps we can make sure that those who are at risk can pay attention and be proactive in the likeliness for it to happen. This report urges women who have difficulties with these risk factors to receive a detailed work up of their blood pressure before they get put on a contraceptive pill or begin trying to become pregnant. With such risk factors being linked to stroke it is important that doctors as well as women become aware in order for acts of prevention to start taking place. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/women-of-all-ages-face-higher-risk-of-stroke-than-men-new-guidelines-say/2014/02/06/d4df8d44-8eb0-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/4/e18.full

Topic: Health

I have decided to make my topic about health since I am a human development and family studies major.