Low- and middle-income countries account for 62% of new cancer cases

Low- and middle-income countries will account for 62% of the 12.9 million new cancer cases recorded this year, according to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit.  By 2020, the number of new cancer cases globally is predicted to climb to almost 17 million (65% of which will be in low- and middle-income countries) [...]

Healthy living reduces risk of chronic disease by 80%

Leading a healthy lifestyle reduces the chance of developing common chronic diseases by nearly 80 per cent, according to recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Those who exercised regularly, stayed slim, ate a healthy diet and never smoked were (as compared to those who adhered to none of the four [...]

UK Government Publishes Landmark Report Centered on Quality of Life for Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers

The report, which was conducted by the National Audit Office, found the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were on average not being diagnosed quickly enough.  In the UK it is estimated that the total economic impact of the disease stands around £1.8bn (US$3.0bn).  The study went on to say that if just an additional 10% [...]

CDC Report: Obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10% of medical spending in the U.S.

According to data recently released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of all medical spending in the United States or an estimated $147 billion a year.
U.S. obesity rates rose 37 percent between 1998 and 2006, driving an 89 percent increase in spending on treatments for [...]

Controlling healthcare costs through effective use of prescription drugs

 To effectively evaluate  any healthcare system, the true costs of the delivery of appropriate care  must be understood (and the costs of not providing treatment).  The following is an interesting article on the much-debated topic of Health Reform in America and the drivers of health spending — chronic conditions, hospital expenditures, etc.
Prescription drugs scapegoat for rising [...]

World Asthma Day – May 5th

Today (May 5th) is World Asthma Day and this year’s theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”
60% of the estimated 3 million people in Canada living with asthma do not have their symptoms under control.  With this is mind, the Asthma Society of Canada will observe World Asthma Day with several initiatives concerning control.
World Asthma Day is [...]