The influence of the U.S. tobacco industry on the health, economy, and environment of developing countries

Article Abstract:

Even though King James I levied a tax in 1604 on imported tobacco from the New World, the US continues to supply much of the world. Cigarette consumption, while declining at home, has increased by 400 percent in India and by 300 percent in Papua New Guinea since 1964. Developing countries are prime targets for US tobacco corporations, which are the largest exporters of cigarettes in the world. A report is presented of the expansion of the tobacco industry into developing countries. When trade with a country is opened, restrictions on advertising and health warnings are far more lenient than in the US. Few countries, for example, require any form of health warning on cigarette packages. Companies' advertising budgets in developing countries may be as large as the country's health budget; some examples of promotional activities are sponsorship of sporting events and free admission to dance clubs in exchange for empty packages of cigarettes. Statistics are presented to show the devastating health consequences of increased smoking in China, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. In such locations, the effects of smoking may interact with environmental pollutants in particularly harmful ways. The marketing behavior of the US tobacco companies in developing countries is unethical and should be fought. Physicians can play an important role in such activities, both through professional associations and by eliminating tobacco investments by their institutions, an involvement by a medical institution that is clearly not health-promoting. Other ways of negatively influencing the tobacco industry are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

International aspects, Developing countries, Tobacco industry, editorial

---

Brief report: treatment of a laboratory-acquired Sabia virus infection

Article Abstract:

Early administration of ribavirin may prevent life-threatening Sabia virus infection. Extreme precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of infection. Sabia virus causes a deadly hemorrhagic fever. Despite wearing a surgical mask, gown, and gloves, a virologist was infected when a Sabia virus-containing tube he was centrifuging leaked. When flu-like symptoms appeared, he sought treatment because his symptoms suggested a recurrence of malaria. His possible exposure to Sabia only came out after he tested negative for malaria. Intravenous treatment with ribavirin was begun immediately. Blood samples tested positive for Sabia virus. He was cured after ten days of ribavirin treatment without ever experiencing hemorrhagic symptoms. Extreme precautions were taken, including housing the patient in a negative pressure room, restricting the number of health workers involved, the use of gloves and masks with air filters, and the bagging and incineration of disposables. The health of all his contacts was monitored, and none became ill.

Prevention, Virus diseases, Medical laboratories, Biomedical laboratories, Hemorrhagic fever, Hemorrhagic fevers

---

The tail end of guinea worm - Global eradication without a drug or a vaccine

Article Abstract:

The dreaded disease guinea worm is on the verge of eradication without dugs or vaccines, solely through behavioral change and health education.

United States, Health education, Behavior modification, Dracunculiasis, Behaviour modification, Dracunculus medinensis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The role of second-look surgery in the management of advanced germ cell malignancies. Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (peripheral neuroepithelioma) in children: a review of the St. Jude experience and controversies in diagnosis and management
• Abstracts: The forgiveness of coinsurance: charity or cheating? Abuse and neglect of elderly persons. Should patients with Alzheimer's disease be told their diagnosis?
• Abstracts: Transplacental passage of vancomycin during the second trimester of pregnancy. Fetal levels of tobramycin following maternal administration
• Abstracts: The effect of maternal anaemia and iron deficiency on the ratio of fetal weight to placental weight. Obstetric acute renal failure 1956-1987
• Abstracts: Successful outcome of pregnancy with severe hypothyroidism: case report and literature review. Increased platelet turnover in a patient with previous recurrent pre-eclampsia and failure of aspirin therapy. Case report

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.