The latest edition of Medical Grands (Vol 3, No 50) is up and has been hosted by Parallel Universes. Get the best of the medical blogosphere.

Technorati Tags: Blogs, Grand rounds, Medicine, Medicine

Dr. Hebert has hosted the Halloween edition of Grand Rounds and does an amazing job by incorporating articles in a poem based on “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.

Grand Rounds - Halloween Edition

Technorati Tags: Edgar Allen Poe, Grand Rounds, Halloween, Raven

So what is desertification?

“Desertification, in the words of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, is one of the world’s most alarming processes of environmental degradation”

Desertification is about the loss of lands biological productivity. The causative factors identified for this process are:-

1. Rapid population growth
2. Climatic changes and
3. Poor agricultural practices

This process threatens to expand the worlds deserts leading to a number of detrimental consequences viz.:-

1. Mass migrations
2. Increased poverty
3. Food shortages leading to malnutrition
4. Water shortages leading to consumption of polluted water with increased incidence of epidemics of water borne infections
5. Conflict over resources
6. Increased risk of fires (due to dry air)
7. Limited access to health care
8. Increased respiratory disorders due to increased suspended particulate matter in air

The UN, in recognition of this threat has declared 2006 as the “International Year of Deserts and Desertification” and has partnered with 191 countries to fight this new battle.

Btw every year June 17 is celebrated as the “World Day to Combat Desertification” with this years theme being “The beauty of deserts - the challenge of desertification.”

What is destined to rise is also destined to fall. Empires fell, dinasours fell and a host of other things (I am sure about this but don’t have more examples) - The question is “will man fall?” All the best to mankind.

Reference - United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
2006 - International Year of Deserts and Desertification
JAMA

Technorati Tags: Global Warming, Health, Desertification, Science

Walmart and Sam’s Club are organizing a nationwide event to educate Americans on the steps they can take keep their heart healthy.

Cardiovascular disease has become the nation’s No.1 killer. Each year, it claims the lives of more women than breast cancer. In fact, 63 percent of women and 50 percent of men who die suddenly of cardiovascular disease show no previous symptoms. Because early detection can help minimize the risk of heart disease, Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations nationwide will host the third annual Healthy Heart Community Event on Saturday, February 18. All visitors will be offered complimentary cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, samples of heart-healthy products, and educational information on heart disease.

Last year, the Healthy Heart Community Event at Wal-Mart stores and SAM’S CLUB locations raised awareness of heart disease among more than 80 million people, with more than 1.9 million shoppers participating in the event nationwide. This year, the event will be held at U.S. Wal-Mart stores on February 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free health screenings available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. SAM’S CLUB locations will also participate during the same times, offering the event to members and nonmembers. A national health screening company will be on hand to provide cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

In addition to complimentary health screenings, shoppers will have the opportunity to take a personal risk assessment that helps identify risk factors, such as age and gender, family history, and weight. Educational information also will be available, including the 3 Vital Steps, 1 Healthy Heart resource book that discusses early detection and preventative measures. No appointment is necessary.

Reference- Be Heart Healthy