Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (arterial thrombotic disease) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally [1]. Major risk factors for ASCVD include a history diabetes, blood pressure, lipids, smoking status [2]. Persistent inflammation has been implicated in pathogenesis ASCVD. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that most events are avoidable by preven...

AIMS To assess the influence of household decision making, social capital, socio-economic factors and health service use on under-five mortality. SETTING Butajira Demographic Surveillance Site, Ethiopia. METHODS A prospective case-referent design with a total of 209 under-five year old deaths occurring in an 18-month period, together with 627 referents matched for age, sex and community of ...

BACKGROUND Life expectancy at birth in Russia is over 12 years less than in western Europe. This study explores the possible role of medical care in explaining this gap by examining the evolving pattern of mortality amenable to timely and effective medical care in Russia compared with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and the UK. METHODS Analysis of standardized death rates from causes amenable...

In Malawi the maternal mortality ratio is extremely high. Since almost all maternal deaths are avoidable, maternal mortality is also an issue of human rights. This paper examines the root causes of high maternal mortality in Malawi and applies a human rights-based approach to the reduction of maternal mortality. It recommends roles for the various duty-bearers. It describes indicators to monito...

Mortality audits are being used with increasing frequency to improve health outcomes by pinpointing precisely where deficiencies in clinical care exist. We conducted a prospective audit of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths at Tikur Anbessa Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of a broader initiative to reduce perinatal mortality in the labor room and neonatal intensive care unit. Out ...

OBJECTIVES To estimate the number of deaths attributable to second hand smoke (SHS), to distinguish attributable and potentially avoidable burdens of mortality, and to identify the most important sources of uncertainty in these estimates. METHOD A case study approach, using exposure and mortality data for New Zealand. RESULTS In New Zealand, deaths caused by past exposures to second hand sm...