Chronic diseases affect around 80% of older Australians, are main causes of premature death, and account for 70% of health expenditures. The novel features, building and validation of an Australian prototype model-system which simulates interventions that target several chronic diseases are described. Chronic disease progression models are linked to a population-wide microsimulation projection ...

BACKGROUND Africa faces an urgent but 'neglected epidemic' of chronic disease. In some countries stroke, hypertension, diabetes and cancers cause a greater number of adult medical admissions and deaths compared to communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis. Experts propose a three-pronged solution consisting of epidemiological surveillance, primary prevention and secondary preventio...

Dental caries and gingival and periodontal diseases are commonly occurring, preventable chronic conditions in children. These diseases are more common in disadvantaged communities and marginalized populations. Thus, public health approaches that stress prevention are key to improving oral health equity. There is currently limited evidence on which community-based, population-level interventions...

Successful use of vaginal support pessaries requires provider and patient understanding of expected symptom-relief, potential complications, self-care options, and evaluation and treatment of pessary-related problems. This second article in a three-part series summarizes clinical recommendations and evidence related to pessary management.

BACKGROUND Integrated care for older persons with complex care needs is widely advocated. Particularly professionals and policy makers have positive expectations. Care outcome results are ambiguous. Receiver and provider satisfaction is relevant but still poorly understood. METHODS During implementation of integrated care in residential homes (The MOVIT project), we compared general satisfact...

Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, are world-wide health problems. The prevalence of metabolic diseases is associated with dynamic changes in dietary macronutrient intake during the past decades. Based on national statistics and from a public health viewpoint, traditional approaches, such as diet and physical activity, have been unsuccessful in decreasing the prevalence of...

Despite improved case management, diarrhoeal diseases still account for an estimated 23 % of all deaths among children aged 0-4 years (World Health Organization (WHO), 1995~). Diarrhoeal diseases are largely confined to developing countries and, given their very limited health budgets (typically < US $5/person per year), it is essential to identify cost-effective strategies for disease preventi...

The aim of this study was to contrast the likelihood that a husband's elderly mother receives financial assistance from a couple with that of a wife's mother. Prior U.S.-based research has documented a strong bias toward transfers to wives' parents. The authors aimed to extend this literature to Mexico, where financial help from adult children is a critical source of support for a rapidly aging...