Health care' Archives - Iran News Daily

Over 31,000 health care providers offering services to villagers

mahla — Sat, 03 Sep 2022 18:58:40 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) –Primary health care is provided to the rural residents by 31,000 health care providers (called Behvarz) nationwide, Mohammadreza Rahbar, an official with the director of the health network department at the Ministry of Health has said.

Primary health care includes preventive care, health promotion, screening, and basic medical services for the predefined conditions, he noted.

Currently, there are 31,148 health care providers active in the country, but to reach ideal conditions, we need 43,128 health workers, he added.

Of course, 98 percent of the country’s rural population is covered by the primary health care (PHC) system, and the remaining villages are those with a very small population and high dispersion, he explained.

Some 98 percent of the country’s rural population is covered by the primary health care system. In 1971, a research project was carried out in the northwestern city of Urmia that came up with the idea of setting up a comprehensive health care network in both rural and urban areas of the country, similar projects were piloted in the provinces of West Azarbaijan, Shiraz, Tehran, Fars and Lorestan from 1973 to 2020, However, Iran’s health care network was launched in 1981-1983.

Over six years (1984 to 1990), the PHC system was fully developed throughout the country.

The country’s PHC system is formed of several sections working in harmony to offer primary care to different groups of people in rural and urban areas. In rural areas, Health Houses are established in villages with over 300 residents, which are under the supervision of a rural comprehensive health center.

Each health center takes control of five Health Houses.

Two health care providers are providing primary care in each health house; including, preventive care, health promotion, screening, and basic medical services for the predefined conditions, to an approximate population of 1,100 people.

Currently, 18,000 health centers are providing services to over 20 million villagers nationwide, with 630 health care providers, he highlighted.

Last October, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Iran Jaffar Hussain, said that Iran’s health system can be a model for other countries in the region, especially in the field of health and the use of valuable forces such as health care providers.

They have also played an effective role in improving life expectancy, reducing the death of pregnant women, improving the health status and disease index in the last 40 years, etc.

The World Health Organization believes that the improvement of health indicators in the villages of Iran and the reduction of the gap between the health indicators in rural and urban areas are due to the activity of health care providers.

A similar system is providing primary care in urban and suburban areas by Health Posts with community-based health care workers (called “Moragheb-e-Salamat”), each of whom is tasked with offering services to about 2,500 people, Mohammad Hossein Nicknam, an immunologist, has said.

“There is also an urban comprehensive health center which supervises three Health Posts, he noted, adding that some 5,343 health posts and 2,723 health centers are active across the country, with 24,000 health care practitioners.

Pointing out that 93 percent of the urban residents are covered by the health networks in the country, he said that 3,987 physicians and 1,2032 health care providers (dentists, nurses, midwives, and health professionals in the fields of environmental health, nutrition, mental health, etc.) provide services to 54 million people,” he also explained.

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Obesity Could Be Related to More COVID-19 Mortality

reporter 1222 — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 09:51:18 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Obesity may be one reason some countries or communities have been hit hard by the coronavirus, researchers say.

In the early days of the pandemic, doctors noticed something about the people severely ill from COVID-19: Many were obese.

The link became more apparent as coronavirus swept across the globe and data mounted, and researchers are still trying to figure out why, NBCNews reported.

Excess weight increases the chances of developing a number of health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. And those are among the conditions that can make COVID-19 patients more likely to get very sick.

But there’s some evidence that obesity itself can increase the likelihood of serious complications from a coronavirus infection. One study of more than 5,200 infected people, including 35 percent who were obese, found that the chances of hospitalization rose for people with higher BMIs, even when taking into account other conditions that could put them at risk.

Scientists are still studying the factors that might be at play — the way obesity affects the immune system may be one — but say it’s another example of the pandemic illuminating existing public health challenges.

Obesity may be one reason some countries or communities have been hit hard by the virus, researchers say. In the United States, the obesity rate among adults has climbed for decades and is now at 42 percent. The rate is even higher among Black and Hispanic Americans.

A person who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall is considered obese starting at around 190 pounds, or a body mass index of 30. The increased risk for serious COVID-19 illness appears more pronounced with extreme obesity, or a BMI of 40 or higher.

Researchers say multiple factors likely make it harder for people who are obese to fight a coronavirus infection, which can damage the lungs. Carrying around a lot of extra weight strains the body, and that excess fat could limit the lungs’ ability to expand and breathe.

Another issue is chronic inflammation, which often comes with obesity. Inflammation is a natural way our bodies fight harmful intruders like viruses. But long-lasting inflammation isn’t healthy and could undermine your body’s defenses when a real threat arises.

“It’s like pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, an obesity researcher and dean of Tufts University’s school of nutrition science and policy near Boston.

And even if people who are obese aren’t diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease, Mozaffarian notes their health may not be optimal.

How fat is distributed in the body may play a role too. One study found an increased risk for death from COVID-19 for people with severe obesity, but only among men. The findings could reflect that men tend to carry fat around the stomach, said Sara Tartof, a co-author of the study who researches infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. That type of fat is more associated with the production of a hormone that could be contributing to more severe illness, she said.

Scientists are also exploring whether there’s something specific about the coronavirus itself that makes the obese more susceptible to getting very sick.

For example, the virus infects cells by attaching to receptors on the surface of certain cells. That receptor is abundant on fat cells and scientists are studying whether that makes them “a good nest for the virus,” said Dr. Francois Pattou at the University of Lille in France, who has co-authored research on the link between obesity and severe COVID-19 illness.

Complications in care can arise once hospitalized, too. To help with breathing, for example, doctors have been putting patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on their stomachs. But that can be difficult for the obese, making it more likely they’re put on ventilators.

“They need a machine to help just do the work,” said Dr. David Kass of Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University, who has co-authored a study on obesity and severe COVID-19 illness.

Yet another concern: A COVID-19 vaccine may not be as effective for the obese, as seems to be the case with the flu and other vaccines.

Why that might be isn’t known, but one possibility is that obesity impairs an aspect of the immune system that needs to be activated for vaccines to work, said Dr. Nancie MacIver, who researches how weight affects the immune system at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. And she said whatever factors are at play would likely be applicable to a COVID-19 vaccine, but added that it is still important to get it.

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Fruits you need to have

reporter 1222 — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 07:05:00 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Several daily servings of fruits provide vitamins and minerals that help the body ward off illnesses and diseases.

Fruits contain fiber, which helps prevent high cholesterol, heart attacks, strokes, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity; Vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens tissues; and potassium, which stabilizes blood pressure and prevents muscle cramps. Unlike many other popular snack foods, fruits are low in calories and have no cholesterol, fat or salt, aboutzenlife.com reported.

Many nutritionists rank the following as the top 10 types of fruit for good health.

1. Apples

The heart, lungs and digestive system benefit from a diet that includes an apple a day. In addition to Vitamin C, this juicy fruit offers phenolic antioxidants that attack the ‘free radicals’ that weaken cells.

2. Apricots

Research has shown that this fruit aids in fighting cancer because it is packed with lycopene. In addition, beta-carotene-rich apricots promote cardiovascular health, deter infections and help prevent blindness.

3. Avocados

Few fruits are as delicious or versatile as avocados. They complement many types of dishes, such as salads and sandwiches. Avocados assist in keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check, strengthen bones and boost immunity. They are high in potassium, folic acid, and fiber that bolster resistance to heart disease and diabetes. Though avocados contain more calories than most other fruits, their mono-unsaturated fats are the healthy type of fat.

4. Bananas

Few foods deliver more potassium than bananas, which is good news for those who deal with leg cramps. The mineral decreases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well. The fibrous banana, typically consumed as a snack or an ingredient in baked goods, eases stomach aches and heartburn. Unlike most other fruits, it discourages diarrhea.

5. Berries

The multiple varieties of berries provide a wealth of delectable alternatives to sugary, salty treats. Ellagic acid, an antioxidant phytochemical, is a proven cancer fighter. Berries also have Vitamin C, antioxidant phenolic acid, flavonoids and other compounds that help stop infections, cataracts, constipation, and brain disease. Among the most nutritious berries are acai, goji, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries.

6. Cantaloupes

Cancer, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and heart disease are some of the problems that are less likely to occur in people who eat cantaloupes. The fruit’s Vitamin C keeps arteries open, which restricts the buildup of LDL cholesterol. Carotenoids like beta-carotene are converted in the body to Vitamin A, which helps prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

7. Grapefruit

Though many people do not appreciate the taste of this fruit, it is known to provide protection against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Grapefruit also speed the healing of wounds and recovery from the flu. Vitamin C and lycopene destroy free radicals, while a type of fiber called pectin lessens the danger of various diseases and illnesses.

8. Lemons and limes

With some of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C available on grocery store shelves, these citrus products fend off heart disease and cancer while reducing histamine that worsens cold symptoms. A single large lemon comes with 75 percent of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C, which helps the body produce the wound-healing collagen.

9. Oranges

This is another fruit loaded with Vitamin C, as well as fiber and energy-boosting natural sugars. Oranges contain powerful antioxidants, which increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.

10. Pears

Twenty-five percent of the daily value of fiber can be obtained from a single pear. Almost half of the fiber is in the fruit’s pectin, which strengthens the heart by keeping cholesterol levels under control. Pears also offer high concentrations of Vitamin C and potassium, as well as a trace mineral called boron that promotes brain health and wards off osteoporosis.

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New guidelines for autism focus in early diagnosis, treatment

reporter 1222 — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 07:29:53 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Monday issued its first new treatment guidelines for autism in 12 years aimed at helping doctors identify at-risk children and getting them the care they need as early as possible.

Since developmental delays are often present in very young children with autism, the report, published in the journal Pediatrics, urged doctors and gave them new guidelines to check for issues during all well-baby visits and refer children for treatment at the first sign of an issue, rather than wait for a formal autism evaluation, Reuters reported.

More than five million Americans are living with autism, a spectrum of disorders marked by deficits in social communication and interaction and repetitive behaviors of widely varying severity.

“The benefit of identifying children as early as possible is they can then be referred for treatment,” Dr. Susan Levy, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and co-author of the report, said in a phone interview.

Early treatment, and particularly behavioral interventions, do make a difference, Levy said.

Since 2007, when AAP published its last two guidance documents, the number of children in the United States diagnosed with autism has risen sharply. Autism now affects one in 59 children in the United States, up from one in 155 in 2007.

In that time, scientists have developed a better understanding of the potential risk factors and genes that contribute to autism, the related medical and behavioral conditions that commonly occur in children with the condition, and have detailed evidence on which interventions work best.

“This report is really focused on educating pediatricians and other healthcare providers about all the options and issues, and working to empower them since they’re in the front lines to make the early referrals,” Levy said.

The report urges doctors to steer families toward interventions backed by research and away from those with flimsy evidence. It specifically calls out many nutritional interventions that “do not have evidence to support their use.”

It also focuses on the need to screen for and treat other conditions that commonly occur in children with autism.

Some 40 percent of individuals with autism have intellectual disability, the report said, and about 40 percent to 60 percent of school-aged children and adults with autism have anxiety disorders. Others include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), language disorders, sleep and feeding disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms and seizures.

The report encourages doctors to share decision making with families and help them plan for when a child transitions to adolescence and adulthood.

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