New initiative seeks to coalese cancer organizations on tobacco tax

Henry Neondo, CNS Correspondent, Kenya
A group of international cancer organizations today launched a new initiative to encourage governments to increase taxes on tobacco. Tobacco causes 20 percent of all cancer deaths and more than 4,000 people die from tobacco-related cancer each day.

New Study Links Time Spent In Front of TV To High Blood Pressure In Children

Henry Neondo, CNS Correspondent, Kenya and Editor, Africa Science News
A new study reveals that children who spend two hours or more in front of a screen (TV, computer, videogames etc.) have over 2.5 fold increases in their odds of having high blood pressure (BP). Presented at the World Heart Federation’s World Congress of Cardiology today (7th May), this new study measured the relationship between physical inactivity, sedentary behaviours and fitness on blood pressure in 8-10 year-old children at high risk of obesity.

Medics Urge For More Efforts To Combat Rheumatic Heart Disease In Children

Henry Neondo, CNS Correspondent, Kenya
Medics at the World Congress of Cardiology 2014 have urged governments to put in more efforts to reduce Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) among children. RHD, a chronic heart condition caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF), is the most common acquired heart disease amongst children in developing countries and affects over 15 million people.

India driving new interest in eHealth tool to fight cardiovascular disease

Henry Neondo, CNS Correspondent and Editor, Africa Science News
Two studies conducted in India, US and Australia and presented at the World Congress of Cardiology 2014, being currently held in Melbourne from 4th to 7th May, showcase new research on best practices in the design and development of healthcare mobile applications, in order to optimize usability and maximize impact in different populations across the world. Around 75% of the world’s inhabitants now have access to a mobile phone. Out of the estimated 6 billion phone subscriptions worldwide, 5 billion are in developing countries-- 900 million of these are in India alone.

Salt-- A Silent Killer Of Africans

Henry Neondo, CNS Corespondent, Kenya and Editor, Africa Science News
No African food is complete without salt, usually added in cooking and/or at the table when food is served. But a new study released at the World Congress of Cardiology, being held in Melbourne, show that such practices predisposes them to high risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) - hypertension or high blood pressure. The study also reveals that according to research, thousands of lives and millions of dollars could be saved by the implementation of national targets to reduce salt consumption.

Mixed perceptions of the Global Fund in Kenya

Henry Neondo
Funding for health should begin targeting prevention programmes that address issues that affect women and children, and the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (The Global Fund) has a key role to play. In the context of HIV, Professor Alloys Orago, Director of the National AIDS Control Council (NACC), says "for every one person put on treatment, two more get newly infected - women and the youth still bearing the brunt of the three most burdened some diseases: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria." Read more

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