Economic reform and health - lessons from China

Article Abstract:

China is a good example of how economic reforms can adversely affect the health of a population. China switched from a planned to a market economy in 1979. Per capita income rose, but health care costs rose almost twice as much. When the government stopped subsidizing health care, individual patients had to pay their own costs. Many rural residents cannot afford to do so. In addition, the economic reforms destroyed the rural health care system, including the 'barefoot doctor' system, which provided health care to 90% of the rural population. Infant mortality, child mortality and life expectancy have remained virtually unchanged.

Economic development, Chinese, Chinese (Asian people)

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Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy - progress made and lessons relearned

Article Abstract:

The increase in the number of AIDS patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy will make it possible to design clinical trials to evaluate drug treatments for this condition. It is a viral infection of the central nervous system that only occurs in immunosuppressed patients. Until the AIDS epidemic, it was very rare and the most effective treatment was not known. A 1998 study of the drug cytarabine found that it was not effective in treating the condition. More trials are underway and the results could benefit patients with other immunosuppressive disorders.

Complications and side effects, AIDS (Disease), Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive multifocal, Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

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Lessons from secretin

Article Abstract:

Doctors need to advise parents of autistic children about treatments that are effective and those that are not. Many parents rushed to buy a hormone called secretin when the media reported an autistic child who appeared to benefit from it. Secretin is a human hormone that stimulates the pancreas. The child received secretin because doctors wanted to evaluate her pancreatic function. However, a 1999 study found no beneficial effect of secretin over a placebo in a group of autistic children.

Peptide hormones, Autism

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