Daily Archives: April 3, 2017

A mother sits with her sick child in a bed with mosquito net in a hospital on April 24, 2015 in the suburb of Port-Bouet in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Malaria kills on average 7 children every hour in Ivory Coast and about 1,200 children in sub-Saharan Africa per day.

SIA KAMBOU/AFP/Getty Images

Despite a dramatic decline in the number of deaths among children and adolescents worldwide in the past few decades, global progress remains uneven, according to new research.

The study, published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, found that childhood and adolescent deaths worldwide dropped by nearly half from 14.2 million in 1990 to just over 7.2 million in 2015.

The most common causes of death reported werepreterm birth complicationsin newborns, lower respiratory tract infections, diarrheal illnesses, congenital anomalies, malaria, neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and HIV and AIDS.

The greatest number of deaths among children and adolescents occurred in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

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A European health agency approved the world's first vaccine for malaria, although it's been found to be just 30 percent effective. CBS News chief...

An international team of researchers looked at data from 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015. They took into account income, education, and fertility to calculate a Sociodemographic Index (SDI) in each country.

The results show that countries with lower SDIs had a greater share of the burden of childhood deaths in 2015 compared with 1990. While there was progress even in less developed countries, inequality increased as more advanced countries pulled further ahead.

The authors conclude that despite advancements medicine and dramatic improvement in child and adolescent health in recent decades, more needs to be done to distribute these benefits to children around the globe.

If we are going to continue the current pace of improvement in child and adolescent health, we must invest in better data collection, continue to monitor trends in population disease burden, and adapt health systems to meet the ongoing and changing needs of children and adolescents so that all can have a chance to grow up to be healthy, they write.

In an accompanying editorial, Christopher R. Sudfeld, Sc.D., and Wafaie W. Fawzi, DrPH, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, say paying greater attention to early childhood and adolescent health is critical.

Halving the number of global deaths in children younger than 5 years from 1990 to 2015 was a remarkable achievement; however, we are significantly lagging in reductions of preventable stillbirths and neonatal deaths, particularly in vulnerable populations. Additional financial and intellectual investments in adolescent health are also necessary to promote healthy behaviors and reduce risks that can have lifelong implications for adolescents, their families, and their communities.

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"Remarkable" progress against childhood deaths, but inequality grows - CBS News

Public Service Broadcasting playfully teaches history via mixed media, combining archival stock footage, propaganda films and their own propulsive music. Every Valley, the band's forthcoming third album, tells the tale of Ebbw Vale, which was once a major mining town in South Wales. It's an industrial collapse that serves here as a melancholic metaphor for global unease. Based on research and interviews with the townspeople of Ebbw Vale, Every Valley will tell its tale through electronics, drums, guitars and much-needed humor.

In an email, founding member J. Willgoose Esq. tells me that the song "Progress," which we're premiering today along with its video, is "a playful look at a serious and pertinent topic mechanization and its true place in the 'progress' of humanity. What's certain in my mind is that this album isn't just about mining and isn't just about Wales. It's a story reflected in abandoned and neglected communities across the western world, and one which has led to the resurgence of a particularly malignant, cynical and calculating brand of politics."

"Progress" is a knowing nod to Kraftwerk, especially in its bass line and the Vocoder within its chorus. Willgoose writes that, since "the song itself nods quite heavily to Kraftwerk, we also thought it'd be nice to make the video a similarly respectful doff of the cap in their direction."

Usually, Public Service Broadcasting relies on narrators sourced from historical footage to act as the "lead singer," but on Every Valley they've expanded upon that template, with a number of special guests, including two of Willgoose's musical heroes James Dean Bradfield from Manic Street Preachers and, on "Progress," Tracyanne Campbell from the Scottish band Camera Obscura.

Every Valley will be released July 7. Full track list below:

"Every Valley" "The Pit" "People Will Always Need Coal" "Progress" (ft. Tracyanne Campbell) "Go To The Road" "All Out" "Turn No More" (ft. James Dean Bradfield) "They Gave Me A Lamp" (ft. Haiku Salut) "You + Me" (ft. Lisa Jn Brown) "Mother Of The Village" "Take Me Home"

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An error occurred. - NPR

(Reuters Health) - - Deaths among children and adolescents became less common between 1990 and 2015, but not all countries benefited equally from the improvements, according to a new analysis.

Countries with low social and economic statuses shoulder a much larger child and adolescent mortality burden compared to countries with better income, education and fertility levels, researchers found.

"The relative difference between the best and the worst is growing," said Dr. Nicholas Kassebaum, of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Kassebaum and dozens of other researchers in the Global Burden of Disease Child and Adolescent Health Collaboration analyzed data from 195 countries on children and adolescents up through age 19.

The number of deaths in that age group fell from about 14.2 million in 1990 to about 7.2 million in 2015, the researchers write in JAMA Pediatrics.

Countries at all social and economic levels experienced a decline in child and adolescent death rates from 1990 to 2015. But the proportion of those deaths that happened in countries at the lower end of the spectrum grew over time.

Specifically, countries with the lowest social and economic statuses accounted for almost 75 percent of all deaths among children and adolescents in 2015, compared to 61 percent in 1990.

The most common causes of death included complications after premature birth, lower respiratory tract infections and swelling of the brain.

The study can't say why countries with lower social and economic statuses didn't benefit as much over the years, but Kassebaum suggested some reasons.

For example, he said, countries made great strides over the years reducing infections and improving neonatal outcomes, but some countries have not been able to make those and other public health interventions universal.

Also, public health advances in wealthier countries may not reach countries at the other end of the spectrum.

"Those advances havent been passed on to middle-income countries and certainly not to low-income countries," said Kassebaum.

Christopher Sudfeld and Wafaie Fawzi of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston point out in an accompanying editorial that global deaths among children younger than age five were cut in half between 1990 to 2015 but the world is lagging in reducing the number of stillbirths and deaths among newborns.

"Additional financial and intellectual investments in adolescent health are also necessary to promote health behaviors and reduce risks that can have lifelong implications for adolescents, their families, and their communities," they write.

SOURCE: bit.ly/2oBFFml and bit.ly/2oBKw6T JAMA Pediatrics, online April 3, 2017.

Mylan NV has been hit with a new proposed class action lawsuit over the price of its EpiPen allergy treatment, which shot up to more than $600 for a two-pack of the device from less than $100 in 2007.

Lawmakers in Kansas on Monday failed to override Republican Governor Sam Brownback's veto of a bill expanding eligibility for Medicaid for the poor under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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Progress uneven as global child death rates fall - Reuters

In every area of sustainable energy, a number of countries are outperforming the world, despite slower than required progress overall to achieve global energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency goals, a new report finds.

Entitled Global Tracking Framework 2017 Progress Toward Sustainable Energy, the report points to the International Energy Agencys projections to show that at the current rate of progress, only 91 percent of the world will have electricity access in 2030, while only 72 percent will have access to clean cooking. Improvements in energy intensity are also projected to fall short of the 2030 goal while the share of renewables will only reach 21 percent by that time.

Those estimates underscore the need for urgent action.

Energy is the cornerstone of economic growth. With access to modern, reliable and affordable energy, a child can study at night, small businesses can thrive, women can walk home under the safety of working streetlights and hospitals can function efficiently and save lives. That is why reaching Sustainable Energy for Alls (SEforALL) objectives of universal access to modern energy, doubling the rate of improvement of energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy by 2030 is crucial.

To make meaningful improvements, higher levels of financing and bolder policy commitments, along with the willingness on countries part to embrace new technologies on a much wider scale are essential, according to the report.

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Global Tracking Framework 2017 - Progress Toward Sustainable Energy - World Bank Group

The Redskins' two free agent signings on the defensive line are coming off big years, and head coach Jay Gruden believes that can continue their upward trend in Washington.

Head coach Jay Gruden explained at last weeks NFL Annual Meetings that the Redskins strategy for upgrading the defensive line in free agency was practical. They would attempt to lure in a high-profile and lucrative player or find two slightly cheaper players with competing skill levels.

Defensive end Calais Campbell was indeed on the Redskins list, but after he signed with Jacksonville, Washington found two players Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain -- they believe can be extremely productive together on the defensive line this season.

Would you rather have one or would you rather have two good ones? Gruden asks. I think we feel good about the two good ones we got.

McGee caught Grudens attention on film during an October game against San Diego last season, when the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder racked up 1.5 sacks , four tackles and two forced fumbles.

The Oklahoma product spent time playing with Redskins left tackle Trent Williams for a couple seasons with the Sooners and also won a state championship in wrestling during his senior season at Muskogee High School, two factors that helped his attractiveness.

Hes a big, physical guy and hes an interesting player, Gruden said. I think he hasnt tapped on his potential yet. Hes strong, hes an ex-wrestler, obviously Trent [Williams] knew him very well, had good things to say about himfrom Oklahoma. Im excited about him. Did a little bit of work on him, with people who coached him out there and had a lot of good things to say about him. Were excited about him.

In his four seasons in the league, McGee has totaled 44 tackles and three sacks, two and a half of which came last season in just nine games.

They are going to see a man hungry out there hunting, pursuing the ball and trying to bring greatness back here to the Redskins, McGee said in a Redskins Nation interview.

McClain has had a similar rise in production during the last few seasons with the Cowboys, after struggling during his first four years in the NFL, splitting time with Carolina, New England and Houston.

After missing the majority of 2015, McClain bounced back last season. He started in 15 games and posted career highs in tackles (40), sacks (2.5) and forced fumbles (2), becoming a reliable presence up the middle at age 28.

He didnt do a whole lot his first couple years but he just came on like gangbusters, Gruden said. I like the fact that guys continue to stay with it and work and you see their work pay off. Their developmentsometimes their development doesnt happen until age 27, 28, 29 and it just hits and it clicks and he is a force to be reckoned with as far as his ability to track down plays and hustle.

While the defensive line is in a state of flux losing Chris Baker and Ricky Jean Francois, banking on the emergence of Anthony Lanier II and Matt Ioannidis, transitioning to a new defensive line coach in Jim Tomsula Gruden has confidence that someone such as McClain will take on a leadership role and adapt nicely to the culture the team has been establishing the last couple of years.

Both McGee and McClain expressed their excitement to play under Tomsula, too, and are ready to grow into what the Redskins hope will be consecutive seasons playing at a high level.

I know that if you come from Dallas and you play for Rod Marinelli youre going to have what it takes to be a defensive lineman, Gruden said of McClain. Youre going to play hard, youre going to do things the right way and then it will be an easy transition because we have a defensive line coach here whos going to expect the same things in a big way. Hell fit right in.

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Jay Gruden Excited To See McGee, McClain Continue To Progress - Redskins.com

Photo: Courtesy Of Santa Cruz Warriors

Damian Jones plays with Santa Cruz on Jan. 6, chipping in 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 126-124 loss to Grand Rapids.

Damian Jones plays with Santa Cruz on Jan. 6, chipping in 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 126-124 loss to Grand Rapids.

Golden State Warriors center Damian Jones (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 13, 201, in Denver. The Nuggets won 132-110. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Golden State Warriors center Damian Jones (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 13, 201, in Denver. The Nuggets won 132-110. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Warriors thrilled with Damian Jones progress in D-League

Overshadowed by the Warriors 10-game winning streak is the fact that their roster could look much different next season.

Nine of Golden States 15 players will be free agents this summer, including almost its entire frontcourt. The only center signed beyond this season? Rookie Damian Jones, who has made significant strides in recent weeks with the Warriors Development-League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

After topping the 13-point mark only once in his first 20 games with Santa Cruz, Jones has averaged 18.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over his past 11. Two of his best performances came within the past two weeks: a 23-point, 12-rebound, four-block outing March 23 against Austin, and a 25-point, seven-rebound, five-block masterpiece Friday against Los Angeles.

Were thrilled with Damians progression, said Kerr, who has recently watched video from Jones latest D-League stint. Its the whole point of the D-League, to be able to send a guy like Damian down. Hes not going to play a lot for us, but he can get consistent minutes.

Jones, 21, has logged nine D-League assignments since returning from a torn right pectoral muscle in late-November. His development goals have been modest: give consistent effort, attack the glass and grasp the spacing necessary to become a reliable interior defender. In recent months, Jones has cut down on fouls and emerged as a dominant two-way player in the D-League.

The plan is for him to stick with Santa Cruz through the D-League playoffs, which begin Wednesday against Oklahoma City. Kerr said Jones, who is averaging 1.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in nine NBA games, could be recalled to Golden State for a game or two during that span if possible.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron

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Warriors 'thrilled' with Damian Jones' progress in D-League - SFGate - SFGate (blog)