Outline
Introduction
Epidemiologists’ concerns
Reflection on epidemiologists professionals view points
Synopsis of each point of view
Conclusion
Medicine: Public Health Issues
Introduction
World Health Organization each week publishes a free News letter called, ‘Weekly Epidemiological Records. Pertinent trends in epidemiology are discussed from a professional perspective giving readers insights into how they predict the progress of disease and their effects on the population. In the following pages of this document the writer will highlight some of these concerns relating reflections while a synopsis is developed.
Epidemiologists’ concerns
A recent research regarding the most recent Weekly Epidemiological Records ranging from 4th February to November 7th 2011 reveals that there were a variety of concerns. They were focused towards drug development for rare diseases; hypertension; syphilis; fibroblast growth factors; testicular cancer and macular degeneration. For week, January 13th, 2012 the focus was on vaccination
Reflection on epidemiologists’ professionals view points
This week’s concern while continuing trends mentioned in earlier paragraphs offered insights on storage on vaccines regarding how potency can be compromised due to improper storage facilities during administration as well as transference from one location to the other before it reaches places administration destinations (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2011).
The point of views expressed from a professional perspective shows apparent interest in also in sensitizing drug companies and scientists in developing more research projects pertaining to curing rare diseases rather than palliative drug interventions. Hypertension; syphilis; fibroblast growth factors; testicular cancer and macular degeneration fall within the category of rare disease yet common among humans since changes in the way they affect the body are occurring daily.
Further, it seemed that even though money has been extended towards intense investigations regarding cancer, AIDS, sickle cell, diabetes which are the most common incurable diseases affecting humans in the twenty-first century; still there has been no significant break through as a therapeutic drug intervention that is curative.
Synopsis of each point of view
While measures are being taken to improve storage during administration procedures as well as transference of vaccines epidemiologist turned their attention towards The last updated March 2011 report on drug development for rare diseases discussed under the caption ‘BioPortfolio’s Drug Development for Rare Diseases Channel highlights latest news, resources and market research reports about Drug Development for Rare Diseases’ (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2011) to revealed that rare diseases were classified as those affecting less than 200, 000 Americans per year. Since they create great suffering scientists ought to address drug treatment related to their cure (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2011).
Hypertension; syphilis and fibroblast growth factors were discussed from an epidemiological perspective since cost of treatment and health promotion measures are escalating daily, especially, when drug intervention becomes necessary. For hypertension alone it cost America’s Health Care some 76 billion annually. Syphilis and fibroblastic growth factors carry a very high economic infringement as well (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2011).
Precisely, the epidemiology of testicular cancer has driven scientists to becoming concerned about the reproductive health and associating consequences of population growth decline in the future. Importantly, it has been reported to be the single most leading cause of death among men in this century ages 15- 35 in the United Kingdom (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2011).
Likewise, macular degeneration among the elderly is gaining momentum.30% of people 75- 85 are developing this disease. From epidemiological records people in third world countries seem to suffer the most since facilities for early diagnosis is not available. However breakthrough in development of a humanized antibody fragment ranibizumab (Lucentis) aimed at retarding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was discovered by scientists Genentech and Novartis. Since then World Health Organization had approved the intervention in 70 countries beginning 2006. Results are phenomenal (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2011).
Conclusion
The foregoing exposition related excerpts from the Weekly Epidemiological Record posted by World Health Organization between 4th February to November 7th 2011. It highlighted projections of professional epidemiologists’ into the future of drug development for rare diseases; hypertension; syphilis; fibroblast growth factors; testicular cancer and macular degeneration. A brief discussion on vaccination was also embraced being the focus of January 13th, 2012, weekly epidemiology record.
References
Weekly Epidemiological Record (2011) .World Health Organization. Retrieved (15th Jan, 2011)
Form http://www.bioportfolio.com/news/article/443191/Weekly-Epidemiological-Record-4-February-2011-No-6-2011-86-45-52.html
