Nuts are just as important as milk for building strong bones.
Health advice
- Nuts just as important as milk for bones - For healthy bones in children, nuts and other high-magnesium foods can be just as important as foods rich in calcium says a new study.
- Read before you buy health insurance - Questions to ask yourself before buying international health insurance. Make sure you get the right plan for you.
Nigeria has pledged to “Save 1 million lives” by 2015.
According to a recent announcement, Nigeria will implement its health system reforms by 2015. The plans aim to extend access to essential primary care services for women and children. Grandly named, “Saving One Million Lives”, the scheme is designed to work at a community level and provide everyone with coverage.
“Saving One Million Lives will be the new yardstick for measuring health sector performance in Nigeria,” promised Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
World Malaria Day is pushing drug development and prevention of this deadly disease.
Millions of people live in endemic malaria regions, these people still lack access to prevention, diagnostic testing and treatment. The fact many of these people and regions are the world’s poorest is no coincidence. Lacking resources and funding, governments may have the will to fight malaria, but lack the infrastructure.
The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day on 25th April, and continuing until 2015, is “Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria”. This disease kills 600,000 people a year, 90 percent of them in Africa and most of them children under the age of five, according to UNICEF. World Malaria Day is aiming to encourage investment in malaria prevention.
The best health news stories from around the web this week.
Health advice
- Stay healthy on a long-haul flight - The best health buys for flying, from avoiding anxiety to warding off coughs and colds, this is an extensive list.
- Hay-fever season “worst in decades” - The longest winter in 50 years will give way to the worst pollen season in decades. Tips for beating hay-fever this spring.
Expats moving to under-developed countries should know how to self-medicate.
Perhaps you are a person who simply loves to travel and go to all sorts of places. In fact, you might even want to visit a third world country. Whether it is for a leisure trip or to serve on a volunteer mission, you should know some information about self medicating.
Get some training
Of course, you might be able to treat a very simple wound by yourself without any sort of medical training. However, if you feel that more serious threats are present, you need to enroll in some professional training courses. For example, it would be wise to take both a CPR class and first aid class before you visit a third world country. Then you will know what to do.
New health insurance policies for individuals and groups in high risk countries.
Tangiers Global, a subsidiary of the Tangiers Group, has been tasked with finding creative insurance solutions for expats and travellers going to high risk regions. With the support of Lloyd’s of London, Tangiers Global has already introduced battleface, an individual travel medical insurance plan.
In a recent analysis, International SOS found significant travel to areas with greater health risks. The results of their survey showed nearly a quarter (23%) of business travellers are going to places with a “medium”, “high” or “extreme” risk, as rated on International SOS’s HealthMap.
International guidelines on safe alcohol consumption vary wildly.
According to a new report published in the Drug and Alcohol Review, there is little international consensus on alcohol consumption guidelines or on what constitutes harmful or excessive amounts of alcohol. The same report also states there is no agreement on the recommended amounts for men and women.
There is considerable evidence of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking. However, depending on where you live, the recommended guidelines will vary. The World Health Organisation (WHO) goal of a global consensus on a “standard drink” definition and consumption guidelines is still some way off.
Top health news stories from around the web this week.
International health news
- Soft drink link to asthma – A new study has shown drinking large amounts of soft drinks is associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Revolutionary electric tattoos to monitor health – Doctors can now check patients’ vitals after they have left hospital via an electronic “tattoo” placed on the skin.
Bupa has opened it’s 13th dental centre in the UK.
Bupa has recently opened a new dental care facility in Holborn, central London. This will be the company’s 13th centre in the UK and offers appointments out of office hours. With this new opening it’s clear Bupa is continuing its aim of becoming the UK’s largest dental service provider.
In December last year, Expat Health reported on Bupa’s ambitious expansion into Australia and New Zealand, acquiring the largest dental chain in the region in a deal worth £244 million. In July 2012 Bupa announced a multi-million pound investment in UK dental services.
Influenza levels are dropping in the northern hemisphere as flu season comes to an end.
Good news for expats living in Europe, all signs point towards flu season coming to an end. In all reporting countries this week, flu cases continue to decline with some already returning to their levels outside of flu season.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has declared, after three months of active transmission, longer than previous years, the 2012-2013 flu season is waning.
Expat Health Links
Expat Health group
where healthcare and insurance professionals can discuss news, trends and business opportunities.
Global Health Map
of infectious diseases and health alerts.
WHO Travel & Health
authority of the UN. Monitors worldwide health trends.