{"title":"Kalyani cohort - the first platform in Eastern India for longitudinal studies on health and disease parameters in peri-urban setting.","authors":"S Chatterjee, P P Majumder","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.19","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Kalyani cohort created in 2010 by the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, West Bengal, India, is designed to serve as a platform for conducting prospective basic and translational studies on epidemiology and genomics of health and disease-related parameters, particularly of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The overall goal is to assess behavioural, biological, genetic, social and environmental factors and obtain necessary evidence for effective health improvement. Collected baseline data comprise 15727 individuals, >14 years of age from seven municipal wards in the Kalyani and Gayeshpur regions. Data are being collected on demographics, current health status, medical history and health-related behaviours. Blood samples were also collected from a subset of individuals (<i>n</i> = 5132) and analysed for estimation of known markers of NCDs. DNA has been extracted from blood samples and stored for future use. Important baseline findings include a high prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemias and hypothyroidism. Prevalence estimates for these disorders obtained from self-reported data are significantly lower, indicating that participants are unaware of their health problems. The identification of 'at risk' individuals will allow formation of sub-cohorts for further investigations of epidemiological and genetic risk factors for NCDs. Access to the resource, including data and blood samples, created by this study will be provided to other researchers.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":" ","pages":"e2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2017-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.19","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36193210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K L Mpye, A Matimba, K Dzobo, S Chirikure, A Wonkam, C Dandara
{"title":"Disease burden and the role of pharmacogenomics in African populations.","authors":"K L Mpye, A Matimba, K Dzobo, S Chirikure, A Wonkam, C Dandara","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.21","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa poses a challenge in achieving quality healthcare. Although therapeutic drugs have generally improved health, their efficacy differs from individual to individual. Variability in treatment response is mainly because of genetic variants that affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The intersection of disease burden and therapeutic intervention is reviewed, and the status of pharmacogenomics knowledge in African populations is explored.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most commonly studied variants with pharmacogenomics relevance are discussed, especially in genes coding for enzymes that affect the response to drugs used for HIV, malaria, sickle cell disease and cardiovascular diseases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The genetically diverse African population is likely to benefit from a pharmacogenomics-based healthcare approach, especially with respect to reduction of drug side effects, and separation of responders and non-responders leading to optimized drug choices and doses for each patient.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":" ","pages":"e1"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2017-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.21","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36193211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A L Barr, E H Young, L Smeeth, R Newton, J Seeley, K Ripullone, T R Hird, J R M Thornton, M J Nyirenda, S Kapiga, C A Adebamowo, A G Amoah, N Wareham, C N Rotimi, N S Levitt, K Ramaiya, B J Hennig, J C Mbanya, S Tollman, A A Motala, P Kaleebu, M S Sandhu
{"title":"The need for an integrated approach for chronic disease research and care in Africa.","authors":"A L Barr, E H Young, L Smeeth, R Newton, J Seeley, K Ripullone, T R Hird, J R M Thornton, M J Nyirenda, S Kapiga, C A Adebamowo, A G Amoah, N Wareham, C N Rotimi, N S Levitt, K Ramaiya, B J Hennig, J C Mbanya, S Tollman, A A Motala, P Kaleebu, M S Sandhu","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.16","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.16","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the changing distribution of infectious diseases, and an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases, low- and middle-income countries, including those in Africa, will need to expand their health care capacities to effectively respond to these epidemiological transitions. The interrelated risk factors for chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases and the need for long-term disease management, argue for combined strategies to understand their underlying causes and to design strategies for effective prevention and long-term care. Through multidisciplinary research and implementation partnerships, we advocate an integrated approach for research and healthcare for chronic diseases in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2016-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36193208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Cuschieri, J Vassallo, N Calleja, N Pace, J Mamo
{"title":"Diabetes, pre-diabetes and their risk factors in Malta: a study profile of national cross-sectional prevalence study.","authors":"S Cuschieri, J Vassallo, N Calleja, N Pace, J Mamo","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.18","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Type 2 diabetes mellitus constitutes a global epidemic and a major burden on health care systems across the world. Prevention of this disease is essential, and the development of effective prevention strategies requires validated information on the disease burden and the risk factors. Embarking on a nationally representative cross-sectional study is challenging and costly. Few countries undertake this process regularly, if at all.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This paper sets out the evidence-based protocol of a recent cross-sectional study that was conducted in Malta. Data collection took place from November 2014 to January 2016.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study presents up-to-date national data on diabetes and its risk factors (such as obesity, smoking, physical activity and alcohol intake) that will soon be publicly available.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This protocol was compiled so that the study can be replicated in other countries. The protocol contains step-by-step descriptions of the study design, including details on the population sampling, the permissions required and the validated measurement tools used.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.18","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36193209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M Ramsay, N Crowther, E Tambo, G Agongo, V Baloyi, S Dikotope, X Gómez-Olivé, N Jaff, H Sorgho, R Wagner, C Khayeka-Wandabwa, A Choudhury, S Hazelhurst, K Kahn, Z Lombard, F Mukomana, C Soo, H Soodyall, A Wade, S Afolabi, I Agorinya, L Amenga-Etego, S A Ali, J D Bognini, R P Boua, C Debpuur, S Diallo, E Fato, A Kazienga, S Z Konkobo, P M Kouraogo, F Mashinya, L Micklesfield, S Nakanabo-Diallo, B Njamwea, E Nonterah, S Ouedraogo, V Pillay, A M Somande, P Tindana, R Twine, M Alberts, C Kyobutungi, S A Norris, A R Oduro, H Tinto, S Tollman, O Sankoh
{"title":"H3Africa AWI-Gen Collaborative Centre: a resource to study the interplay between genomic and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in four sub-Saharan African countries.","authors":"M Ramsay, N Crowther, E Tambo, G Agongo, V Baloyi, S Dikotope, X Gómez-Olivé, N Jaff, H Sorgho, R Wagner, C Khayeka-Wandabwa, A Choudhury, S Hazelhurst, K Kahn, Z Lombard, F Mukomana, C Soo, H Soodyall, A Wade, S Afolabi, I Agorinya, L Amenga-Etego, S A Ali, J D Bognini, R P Boua, C Debpuur, S Diallo, E Fato, A Kazienga, S Z Konkobo, P M Kouraogo, F Mashinya, L Micklesfield, S Nakanabo-Diallo, B Njamwea, E Nonterah, S Ouedraogo, V Pillay, A M Somande, P Tindana, R Twine, M Alberts, C Kyobutungi, S A Norris, A R Oduro, H Tinto, S Tollman, O Sankoh","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.17","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Africa is experiencing a rapid increase in adult obesity and associated cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). The H3Africa AWI-Gen Collaborative Centre was established to examine genomic and environmental factors that influence body composition, body fat distribution and CMD risk, with the aim to provide insights towards effective treatment and intervention strategies. It provides a research platform of over 10 500 participants, 40-60 years old, from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Following a process that involved community engagement, training of project staff and participant informed consent, participants were administered detailed questionnaires, anthropometric measurements were taken and biospecimens collected. This generated a wealth of demographic, health history, environmental, behavioural and biomarker data. The H3Africa SNP array will be used for genome-wide association studies. AWI-Gen is building capacity to perform large epidemiological, genomic and epigenomic studies across several African counties and strives to become a valuable resource for research collaborations in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.17","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35687824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Body composition and the monitoring of non-communicable chronic disease risk.","authors":"J C K Wells, M K Shirley","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is a need for simple proxies of health status, in order to improve monitoring of chronic disease risk within and between populations, and to assess the efficacy of public health interventions as well as clinical management. This review discusses how, building on recent research findings, body composition outcomes may contribute to this effort. Traditionally, body mass index has been widely used as the primary index of nutritional status in children and adults, but it has several limitations. We propose that combining information on two generic traits, indexing both the 'metabolic load' that increases chronic non-communicable disease risk, and the homeostatic 'metabolic capacity' that protects against these diseases, offers a new opportunity to improve assessment of disease risk. Importantly, this approach may improve the ability to take into account ethnic variability in chronic disease risk. This approach could be applied using simple measurements readily carried out in the home or community, making it ideal for M-health and E-health monitoring strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Changing phenotype and disease behaviour of chronic pancreatitis in India: evidence for gene-environment interactions.","authors":"P K Garg, D Narayana","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.13","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.13","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The idiopathic variety of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in India particularly in Kerala state was earlier called 'tropical pancreatitis' with peculiar features: early age of onset, severe malnutrition, diabetes and poor prognosis. A change in disease phenotype and behaviour has been observed recently.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To review the changing profile of CP in India and examine its relationship with environmental influences and socio-economic development.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Relevant studies on CP in India were reviewed along with social and economic parameters in Kerala over the past 4 decades.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There has been a definite change in the phenotype of CP in India with onset in mid twenties, better nutritional status, and a much better prognosis compared with the reports in 1970s. Genetic susceptibility due to genetic mutations particularly in <i>SPINK1, CFTR, CTRC</i>, and <i>CLDN2/MORC4</i> genes is the most important factor and not malnutrition or dietary toxins for idiopathic CP suggesting the term 'tropical pancreatitis' is a misnomer. We observed a close relationship between socio-economic development and rising income in Kerala with late onset of disease, nutritional status, and better prognosis of CP.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Changing profile of CP in India and better understanding of risk factors provide evidence for gene-environmental interactions in its pathobiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.13","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hoang Van Minh, Tran Quynh Anh, Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga
{"title":"Health insurance drop-out among adult population: findings from a study in a Health and demographic surveillance system in Northern Vietnam 2006-2013.","authors":"Hoang Van Minh, Tran Quynh Anh, Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The coverage of health insurance as measured by enrollment rates has increased significantly in Vietnam. However, maintaining health insurance to the some groups such as the farmer, the borderline poor and informal workers, etc. has been very challenging. This paper examines the situation of health insurance drop-out among the adult population in sub-rural areas of Northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2013, and analyzes several socio-economic correlates of the health insurance drop-out situation. Data used in this paper were obtained from Health and Demographic Surveillance System located in Chi Linh district, an urbanizing area, in a northern province of Vietnam. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the level and distribution of the health insurance drop-out status. Multiple logistic regressions were used to assess associations between the health insurance drop-out status and the independent variables. A total of 32 561 adults were investigated. We found that the cumulative percentage of health insurance drop-out among the study participants was 21.2%. Health insurance drop-out rates were higher among younger age groups, people with lower education, and those who worked as small trader and other informal jobs, and belonged to the non-poor households. Given the findings, further attention toward health insurance among these special populations is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.14","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The potential and value of epidemiology in curbing non-communicable diseases.","authors":"A Patel, R Webster","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.10","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have reached pandemic levels globally and pose a major threat to social and economic development worldwide. The discipline of epidemiology has done much to bring this issue to the forefront of global health. Epidemiological approaches have broadened our understanding of the impact of NCDs in widening socioeconomic disparities. Over a number of decades, this discipline has also contributed to the development of many preventive measures and treatments of known efficacy and safety. However, epidemiology also has a critical role to play in better translating these discoveries into practice, through the new science of implementation. As we strive to achieve the \"25 by 25\" goal of a 25% reduction in premature mortality from common NCDs by 2025, the discipline of epidemiology will need to continuously evolve to remain an essential tool for public health action.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J G Lavoie, D Kornelsen, L Wylie, J Mignone, J Dwyer, Y Boyer, A Boulton, K O'Donnell
{"title":"Responding to health inequities: Indigenous health system innovations.","authors":"J G Lavoie, D Kornelsen, L Wylie, J Mignone, J Dwyer, Y Boyer, A Boulton, K O'Donnell","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.12","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the past decades, Indigenous communities around the world have become more vocal and mobilized to address the health inequities they experience. Many Indigenous communities we work with in Canada, Australia, Latin America, the USA, New Zealand and to a lesser extent Scandinavia have developed their own culturally-informed services, focusing on the needs of their own community members. This paper discusses Indigenous healthcare innovations from an international perspective, and showcases Indigenous health system innovations that emerged in Canada (the First Nation Health Authority) and Colombia (Anas Wayúu). These case studies serve as examples of Indigenous-led innovations that might serve as models to other communities. The analysis we present suggests that when opportunities arise, Indigenous communities can and will mobilize to develop Indigenous-led primary healthcare services that are well managed and effective at addressing health inequities. Sustainable funding and supportive policy frameworks that are harmonized across international, national and local levels are required for these organizations to achieve their full potential. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the value of supporting Indigenous health system innovations.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}