Fleas are a type of wingless parasite found worldwide. They feed off the blood of humans and animals such as dogs and cats. Since fleas use a wide range of hosts, diseases can be transferred from one host to another. Fleas are known to transmit tapeworm larvae and, uncommonly, the disease murine typhus. They are […]
Why is OCD Detrimental to Individuals and Families? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is surprisingly common among communities all over the world. It is a chronic mental health condition which can last for many years. As a mental health disorder, OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts and uncontrollable actions. These constitute the obsessive-compulsive component of the disorder. The […]
According to the World health organization, childhood diseases related to environmental factors represent an enormous global public health problem. This is particularly true in developing countries and impoverished communities, where there is often lack of awareness and knowledge about the effects of environmental hazards on children’s health. Reducing environmental risks could prevent 1 in 4 […]
What is Health Impact Assessment? Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a practical approach used to judge the potential health effects of a policy, programme or project on a population, particularly on vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. Recommendations are produced for decision-makers and stakeholders, with the aim of maximizing the proposal’s positive health effects and minimizing its […]
Orthopnea is the sensation of breathlessness in the recumbent position, relieved by sitting or standing. Other times, a person might experience paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea—or waking up suddenly feeling short of breath. While the symptoms may vary, people with shortness of breath can feel as though they’re being smothered, are unable to take in enough air, […]
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that has not improved in 2 decades. Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect […]
What are e-cigarettes? E-cigarettes are the most common form of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) but there are others, such as e-cigars, e-pipes, e-shishas, etc. ENDS heat a liquid to create an aerosol that typically contains nicotine, which is inhaled by the user. The aerosols also contain other toxic […]
Air quality is a measure of how clean or polluted the air is. Monitoring air quality is important because polluted air can be bad for our health—and the health of the environment. Air quality is measured with the Air Quality Index or AQI. The AQI works sort of like a thermometer that runs from 0 […]
The updated WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide recommendations on air quality guideline levels as well as interim targets for six key air pollutants. They also offer qualitative statements on good practices for the management of certain types of particulate matter (PM), for example, black carbon/elemental carbon, ultrafine particles, and particles originating from sand […]
In 2019, the top 10 causes of death accounted for 55% of the 55.4 million deaths worldwide. The top global causes of death, in order of total number of lives lost, are associated with three broad topics: cardiovascular (ischaemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections) and neonatal conditions – which […]
