SCOPH DECEMBER E-Newsletter My dear SCOPHians, Welcome to our first monthly published SCOPH E-Newsletter. This publication marks the beginning of our communication that aims to keep SCOPHeroes updated and informative about Public Health. Hopefully, you will find it beneficial and educational. First up Mental Health. While it is often overlooked as a public health issue due to a historical focus on communicable and more immediately life-threatening diseases, mental health has profound effects on an individual’s quality of life, physical and social well-being, and economic productivity. So, whether we call it well-being, emotional welfare or mental health, it’s key to living a fulfilling life. One in 7 adults (13.4%) identified symptoms that met the criteria for a mood disorder at some point during their lifetime, including 12.2% for depression and 2.4% for bipolar disorder. Depression is a common mental disorder and it’s is the second most common cause of disability worldwide after back pain according to this research: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24818048 Most efforts to improve global mental health focus on improving care for individuals living with psychological
disorders.
Mental
Health
do
count
specially
in
time
of
crisis:
https://www.devex.com/en/news/10-tips-for-ngos-responding-to-philippinetyphoon/82308#.UodDk5u5B88.facebook Now moving to our second topic: food. Our favorite activity of the day: eating. But, Only 40% of people admit they enjoy eating, down from 50% 20 years ago. We have trouble feeding ourselves and our children. Today, eating is the enemy because of the industry of Junk food. Food that we eat today has changed more in the past 30 years, than in the past 3,000 years. We are alienated from our food industry. We don’t see how the food is made or what chemicals, food coloring or fillers are added to them and this can be very dangerous for us. As a result, obesity epidemic is sweeping the world. What is even more astonishing is that these changes have occurred without the public even knowing it
or
having
the
chance
c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE
to
debate
Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59
it. Let
alone
Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37
the
www.ifmsa.org
nations
‘reaction:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-31/junk-food-tax-gets-extra-boost-as-mexican-senatepasses-bill.html However, keep in mind that food is never the problem. In fact, it’s the solution. So, what can you do to avoid the temptation of entering a local drive-thru? Check out this TEDx talk to figure it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzZzZ_qpZ4w As Arnold Schwarzenegger said: «I'm addicted to exercising and I have to do something every day. »Sport is what made him the healthy legendary man he is. We can’t be all Arnold. However, we can afford a healthy life style by excising. Biking is an ideal sport and here’s why: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3755751.ece As of dawn on 24 February 2000, cars were banned from streets for the day. It was the first day in four years that nobody was killed in traffic. Hospital admissions fell by almost a third. That’s what occurred in Bogota and that made it among the happiest cities in the world: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/nov/01/secrets-worlds-happiest-cities-commuteproperty-prices According to WHO, Non communicable diseases (NCDs) kill more than 36 million people each year. Obviously, something has to be done. As
a
start,
take
a
look
at
this
new
textbook
on
Global
NCDs(http://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/ecom/MasterServlet/GetItemDetailsHandler?iN=978142141 2924&qty=1&source=2&viewMode=3&loggedIN=false&JavaScript=y) which leads me to the second part,
a
great
campaign
to
participate
in
to
make
a
difference
regarding
NCDS(https://theconversation.com/your-world-needs-you-ten-things-you-can-do-today-for-ncds19094) Coming to the final part, I would love to end the newsletter with great news: *
NY
just
raised
the
minimal
age
to
buy
cigarettes
to
21:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/nyregion/new-york-approves-law-to-raise-tobaccopurchasing-age-to-21.html?_r=0 * Free online course on Health and Society: https://www.edx.org/course/harvardx/harvardxph201x-health-society-905 *Artificial trans fats will be banished from America’s food supply under a new federal proposal because of their risk to public health: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/healthscience/trans-fats-to-be-phased-out-fda-says/2013/11/07/80cfc8be-47c4-11e3-a1963544a03c2351_story.html * Last but not least, Best Anti-Smoking Campaign Ever: http://vitaminl.tv/video/1033?ref=fbs With this video I hereby wish to thank you for reading. Furthermore I would like to point out that SCOPH Newsletter is made to learn more about public health and it’s your devotion and commitment to the committee that made SCOPH better every year.
c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE
Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59
Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37
www.ifmsa.org
Thank you very much again and I wish you a lot of success in your NMO and life. Expect the next newsletter in January
Do not forget to subscribe to IFMSA servers: ifmsa-general@yahoogroups.com ifmsa-scoph@yahoogroups.com
Kind Regards,
Marwa Daly Development Assistant on Publications and Marketing of SCOPH for the term 2013-2014 Da.scoph.pub@gmail.com
c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE
Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59
Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37
www.ifmsa.org