Measles mortality falling: In 2007, 197 000 people died from measles, down from 750 000 in 2000. The Measles Initiative (www.measlesinitiative.org), an organization that provides support for vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance, stated in a December 2008 report that 63% of the global reduction took place in Africa, largely due to immunization efforts. The Eastern Mediterranean showed the largest overall reduction, with a decrease of 90%. “The progress that has been made shows what can be achieved through measles vaccination campaigns, but much more needs to be done,” UNICEF's Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman, stated in a media release. Progress has been slower in countries such as India — which accounts for one-third of measles-related deaths worldwide — due to delays in the implementation of large-scale vaccination campaigns.
Despite a concerted effort, measles still takes a deadly toll. In 2007, 197 000 people died worldwide after contracting the vaccine-preventable disease. Image by: Daniel Cima, American Red Cross
Green group: Medical Students for Environmental Health has been founded by University of Alberta medical student Sean Welling to combat the “gross deficiency in education and student advocacy groups regarding the medical impacts of the environment on health.” The group aims to raise awareness within the school and the medical community about the many ways the environment affects human health. Welling says he hopes this will one day be part of medical school curriculums: “As future physicians, we should know how the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat affects our health.”
Hold the cold meds: Children under 6 years old should not be given cough and cold medications, according to a Health Canada decision on labelling on Dec. 18, 2008. The statement warns of potential severe side effects, based on numerous severe reactions January 1995–2008 (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2008/2008_184-eng.php).