ADHERENCE TO A MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER RISK OF ALL-CAUSE AND CANCER MORTALITY
Research Study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings on August 16, 2023.
Adhering to a Mediterranean lifestyle, including a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy eating habits, and positive lifestyle factors, is linked to a reduced risk of all-cause and cancer mortality, according to a study by La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study, which involved non-Mediterranean populations, revealed the transferability of this lifestyle’s positive health effects. Participants with higher adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle had a 29% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 28% lower risk of cancer mortality.
Research study published in BMC Health Services Research on September 18, 2023
This scoping review examines the resilience of primary health care (PHC) systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 44 LMICs show various resilience strategies implemented at the PHC level, including national guidelines on healthcare, digital services, task shifting, and workforce strategies. Nigeria demonstrated resilience across all WHO building blocks, while healthcare financing measures were limited. Recommendations include strengthening community-based PHC, cross-sectoral collaboration, surveillance systems, financial risk planning, and digital healthcare system improvement.
LONG COVID IN LOW-INCOME AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: THE HIDDEN PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
Comment article in The Lancet published on August 28, 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global inequalities, including limited research, surveillance, and access to therapeutics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Long COVID disproportionately affects LMICs, but research is hindered by infrastructure gaps. Addressing these disparities requires extended research, improved healthcare infrastructure, affordable therapies, and patient-centric care, especially in primary settings. Workforce training, clinical guidelines, and community involvement are vital to mitigate long COVID’s impact in LMICs.