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| Background Information Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day, the event established in 2004. The event serves to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need. Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during man-made and natural disasters.
However, in many countries, demand exceeds
supply, and blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood
available, while also ensuring its quality and safety. An adequate supply can
only be assured through regular donations by voluntary unpaid blood donors.
WHO’s goal is for all countries to obtain all their blood supplies from
voluntary unpaid donors by 2020.
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2015
World Blood Donor Day
The theme of this year’s campaign is "Thank you for saving my life".
It focuses on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their blood donations and strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan “Give freely, give often. Blood donation matters.”
The campaign aims to highlight stories from people whose lives
have been saved through blood donation, as a way of motivating regular blood
donors to continue giving blood and people in good health who have never
given blood, particularly young people, to begin doing so.
The objectives of
this year’s campaign are to:
- thank blood donors for their life-saving donations;
- promote regular voluntary unpaid blood donation;
- create wider public awareness of the need for regular
donation because of the short shelf-life of blood components and to encourage
existing and potential donors to donate blood at regular intervals
- focus attention on donor health and the quality of donor
care as critical factors in building donor commitment and a willingness to
donate regularly; and
- persuade
ministries of health to show their appreciation of regular voluntary unpaid
donors and provide adequate resources to provide quality donor care.
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For more details
visit
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Tuesday, 2 June 2015
World Blood Donor Day | You Can Save a LIFE
Thursday, 28 May 2015
World No Tobacco Day 2015: Stop illicit trade of tobacco products
World No Tobacco Day 2015:
Stop illicit trade of tobacco products
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One in every 10 cigarettes, and many other tobacco
products, consumed worldwide are illegal, making the illicit trade of tobacco
products a major global concern from many perspectives, including health,
legal, economic, governance and corruption. The tobacco industry and criminal
groups are among those who profit from the illegal tobacco trade, leaving the
public to pay the health and security costs. Ratification by governments of
the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products is necessary to respond
to the financial, legal and health impacts of the illicit trade of tobacco
products. The public, academia and other sectors can take action by urging
their lawmakers to make their countries Parties to the Protocol.
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WHO response
WHO is committed to fighting the global tobacco epidemic.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control entered into force in
February 2005. Since then, it has become one of the most widely embraced
treaties in the history of the United Nations with 180 Parties covering 90%
of the world's population. The WHO Framework Convention is WHO's most
important tobacco control tool and a milestone in the promotion of public
health. It is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of people to
the highest standard of health, provides legal dimensions for international
health cooperation and sets high standards for compliance.
In 2008, WHO introduced a practical, cost-effective way to
scale up implementation of provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on the
ground: MPOWER. Each MPOWER measure corresponds to at least one
provision of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The 6 MPOWER measures are:
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Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
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Protect people from tobacco use
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Offer help to quit tobacco use
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Warn about the dangers of tobacco
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Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion
and sponsorship
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Raise taxes on tobacco.
The WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products requires a wide range of measures relating to the tobacco supply chain, including the licensing of imports, exports and manufacture of tobacco products; the establishment of tracking and tracing systems and the imposition of penal sanctions on those responsible for illicit trade. It would also criminalise illicit production and cross border smuggling. |
Key facts
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Tobacco
kills up to half of its users.
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Tobacco
kills nearly 6 million
people each year. More than five million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600 000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless urgent action is taken, the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030.
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Nearly
80% of the world's one
billion smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.
For more details visit www.WHO.int
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Monday, 30 March 2015
6 Ways Water Makes You Beautiful
Although you might be aware of the health reasons for water, you might not be informed about its beauty benefits. Read further to learn about ways in which water makes you beautiful from the outside:
Pore Cleanser
Our skin and body is exposed to a number of pollutants and toxins throughout the day. If the body accumulates more toxins than what the liver and kidneys can handle, then the skin takes over. Excessive toxins then leave through the skin and if the body is even slightly dehydrated then the pores become clogged. To help your skin remove toxins and keep your body and pores clear, drink water and stay hydrated.Toned Skin
One of the numerous benefits of drinking water is that it gets stored in our cells, which expand when properly hydrated with essential H2O causing our skin to look tighter and toned. So instead of visiting the dermatologist for a jab, drink up and help smooth out the appearance of wrinkles, cellulite and flappy skin.Shiny Hair
You can be getting a weekly protein treatment at your local parlor, but if you hair is dehydrated, there aren’t enough hair treatments to bring it back to life. Our hair is made up of 5% water and 95% protein so when you drink lots of water your hair looks more alive and bouncy. Not only can water make it shiny, but it can help stimulate hair growth, so put down the Rogaine and drink up!Fight Acne
Like we said before, water is your body’s way of getting rid of toxins and if you’re dehydrated then your pores become clogged. When ridding itself of toxins, your skin’s pH can change. When combined with clogged pores, this is an acne breakout waiting to happen! When you have acne, look at it as a sign that your body chemistry is imbalanced and your detoxification system is backed up. Before begging for harsh retinoid creams from your dermatologist start by drinking half your body weight in ounces of water and see the magic happen.Sparkling Eyes
Dull, lifeless and bloodshot eyes can be due to many factors, such as illness, diet and dehydration. If you’ve crossed out any medical reasons then it’s time to pretty up those peepers by treating them internally by drinking water.Weight Loss
Have you ever had a full meal, felt stuffed and then craved food soon after? This might be because your body is dehydrated and is sending you signals to drink up but you’re confusing it with eat up. Although eating will give you the necessary fluids your body is craving, it’ll also give you unnecessary weight gain. So next time you feel hungry try having a glass of water instead and see if it kills the craving.The Takeaway
After reading about the numerous health and beauty benefits of water, we hope you’re chugging away as you read this last paragraph. With benefits like clear skin, sparkling eyes, shiny hair and a smaller waist line, there is nothing keeping you from going above and beyond your minimum eight glasses a day.7 Things You Should Know About Heart Health
Check Your Cholesterol Level
You can only find out information about your blood cholesterol via a blood or cholesterol test. Otherwise, you can be skinny and fit and still have high cholesterol. Don’t make the mistake of assumption and put yourself at a risk of cardiovascular disease!It is imperative to keep a track of your blood cholesterol every now and then due to the strong impact of high cholesterol on your heart health. Too much cholesterol leads to its deposition in the walls of the arteries in the heart, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis. In this disease, the arteries are narrowed because of the cholesterol build up and blood flow throw them is impaired.
Check Your Heart Rate
Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. This is crucial to your heart health. The normal heart rate varies from one age group to another. The average heart rate (in resting state) of an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. The most common place for finding your pulse is the wrist.If your heart rate is increased by a great margin or irregular, it’s imperative to go see a doctor!
Blood pressure: Key to Heart Health
You often hear doctors saying ‘blood pressure’s dropping’ or ‘BP’s shooting!’, but do you know what it really means? Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls of the heart, while the blood is being pumped out.Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. When blood pressure is consistently higher than that, it hints towards hypertension. Hypertension is a silent killer – it doesn’t come with symptoms.
It is therefore necessary to monitor your blood pressure frequently. You can do it yourself at home using a digital blood pressure device.
Know Your Numbers
Blood pressure and heart rate aren’t the only numbers you need to keep track of. Another measurement you need to be monitoring is your waistline. Obese people are multiple times greater at risk of heart attack, hypertension and atherosclerosis.Keep a track of your BMI. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. If your BMI is above 25, you are over-weight.
Quit Smoking!
Of course, smoking as you should know, affects your lungs and can cause lung cancer. But, did you know that smoking also increases your risk of a heart attack? An estimated 1 out of 5 deaths from heart disease is directly linked to smoking. The nicotine in cigarette raises your blood pressure and shoots your heart rate.Stress
Stressing out does not only mentally frustrate you, but also has an impact on your heart. Stress is an established risk factor for heart disease. Stress leads to persistently high levels of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol and has also been linked to changes in the way blood clots.Exercise More to Keep Your Heart Young
Make exercise a part of your life. Take a walk or go for a run every day, join the gym or do an easy cardio work-out at home! It strengthens your heart, helps maintain you blood pressure, and also helps regulate your weight!7 Bad Habits for Mental Health
Bad habit no. 1: Bad Posture
Often people slouch while walking or sit with their back bent and stomach loose. This gives an aura of exhaustion, sleepiness and untidiness. To look smart is to feel smart. Having a bad posture gives a negative impression and also attracts negativity. According to a study published in the “Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry,” subjects who were asked to walk in a sloppy manner with decreased hand movements and hunched over had worse mood swings and remembered more negative things than positive. Therefore, always keep your chin up, shoulders rolled back while you are walking for a better outlook to life.Bad habit no. 2: Snap Happy
Here is one aimed at all the Instagram addicts, according to a study published in “Psychological Science” subjects took a tour of a museum while taking pictures of some of the objects while simply observing others. They had difficulty remembering the ones they had taken pictures of where as the ones they observed were remembered easily. Camera lens actually forms a veil in front of our eyes which takes away the ability to observe things while we are focusing on taking a picture. Hence, individuals more intent on taking pictures to ‘create memories’ actually lose focus of what is a precious memory. Instead of taking a picture, next sit back and soak up the beauty of the moment and have more fun participating in it.Bad habit no. 3: Couch Potatoes
All the bed lovers and couch potatoes need to get up and get moving for the sake of their mental health. There has been plenty of research showing the correlation between physical activity and depression and inactive individuals are known to have higher risk of depression. Inactivity can lead to a build-up of toxins and when they accumulate in the body they effect mental health in a way that can lead to depression. Introduce exercise and physical activity in your life for a better you.Bad habit no. 4: Toxic Relationships
In some cases, an individual can spend the majority of their time and effort trying to unsuccessfully satisfy their partner and failure to do so means they’re made to feel incompetent, selfish and boring. Relationships such as these that negatively affect your well-being are toxic relationships. Majority of the people do not realize that the sadness that’s seeping into their life is because of their spouse. If that’s your case you need help, either through a psychiatrist or friends and family, who can help you create coping mechanisms and change the situation or leave your toxic partner for goodBad habit no. 5: No Laughter
Something’s in our life are meant to be laughed off instead of clinging to them and making them bigger than they are. If you are not laughing enough, you may be standing on the first step of the staircase to depression. Find out what gives you joy in life, whether it be a light hearted friend, surrounding yourself with kids or even a funny TV show, so that you can regain a balance and see the lighter side of life. Laughter is known to be the most rapidly acting medication for depression and anxiety.Bad habit no. 6: Lack of Zzzz
Sleeping is a mechanism of nature that has provided us to repair and regenerate system breakdowns. A proper sleeping routine leads to better emotional and mental handling and a better metabolism. If you are not able to sleep properly or are suffering from insomnia you might need mental attention along with help from family members in creating a restful environment.Bad habit no. 7: Not Enough ‘ME’ Time
Between your struggle to keep up with the office, housework and your family you might be missing out on important YOU time. Spending time on yourself is important because you need to connect with yourself and make sure your needs are being met. If you spread yourself too thin and never feel like what you want is important, bitterness, anger and depression can creep in. Make regular spa days, visit the gym, go out with friends or sit quietly with a book and enjoy time that’s just for yourself. The concept behind ‘me time’ is making an appointment with yourself and keeping it.5 Ways to Have Healthy Hair
Avoid heat
Avoiding heat doesn’t just apply to straighteners and blow driers, but also avoid showering with hot water. If the water that comes into contact with your hair is too warm, it will dry it and make it brittle.Tip: Brush your locks in different directions to promote circulation of the scalp.
Blow driers can be more beneficial than air-drying!
If used correctly, blow driers do a better job at drying than air-drying. Put it on a cool setting and hold it some distance away from your locks for protection from any heat. Holding it too close to your hair will cause the water to boil; hence the stereotypes against blow-driers.Tip: Avoid wringing your locks in a towel right after a shower. Wet hair is fragile, and wringing it will cause it to fall and break. Also, use heat protection sprays when you blow dry your hair, or in case you use flat irons, or curlers.
Massage your locks and scalp
Massaging your mane and scalp with oil or a protein cream stimulates blood circulation, rejuvenates cells and nourishes dry hair, all promoting healthy growth. Using oil, slightly warm the oil of choice and put it in a bowl. Part your locks, and apply oil with your fingertips to your scalp. Make sure your fingers are moving in a circular motion. Continue this process until you’ve covered your entire scalp and the entire length of your hair. Leave the oil for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you desire. Shampoo it out, making sure you apply shampoo BEFORE wetting your locks to sufficiently remove all the oil. Try not to wash more than once, since over washing can strip your locks of nutrients and healthy oils. Basically taking away all the hard work the oil and protein just did.
Try home-made remedies for healthier locks
Make your own conditioner at home for chemical free conditioning:- One great source of protein is mayonnaise. Apply it your hair until entirely coated and leave it on for an hour. After you wash it out you’ll love the silky feel and the shiny look.
- Another splendid source of protein is yogurt. It’s good enough to substitute with your regular conditioner.
Wash your locks correctly
- Massage your scalp with shampoo (NOT conditioner) and continue to do so for about 40 seconds before washing it out. Massaging your scalp with conditioner stimulates blood circulation which also helps prevent dandruff.
- When applying conditioner, make sure you’re doing it right. The right way to apply conditioner is to pour conditioner in your hand and rub it from the roots to the tips of your locks. If you want silkier softer hair, leave the conditioner on for a minute or two before washing it out.
- Try to wash your hair in a cool setting. As we already mentioned, exposure of warm water will dry it out. At least give your locks a cool final rinse to seal the cuticles.
Sunday, 29 March 2015
6 Foods for Kidney Health
Kidneys function to form urine and henceforth, regulate the body’s fluids. The main function lies in the excretion of urine- a metabolic waste product better outside the body than inside.
Foods for Kidney Health
Chronic kidney diseases are common and must be taken proper care of. Whether or not you have kidney disease, susceptibility may differ from one individual to another due to the part played by genetics. If your family has a long history of kidney disease or failure, it is best to take precautionary measures and avoid complication rather than waiting for the disease to intervene.What other way than to naturally make the body stronger? Read further to find out which foods are kidney-friendly and make sure to add them to your diet.
Cabbage
Cabbage is crammed with phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are compounds which fight free radicals before they can cause harm to the body. Many phytochemicals also promote cardiovascular health and provide protection from several types of cancers.High in vitamin B6, folate, vitamin K, C and fiber, cabbage is a worthy investment for your kidney. Low in cost and low in potassium- the vegetable is quite kidney-friendly, not to mention pocket-friendly too.
Cabbage is a great food for a dialysis diet. They make great additives in salads and as toppings for tacos as well.
Cauliflower
Yet another nutritious vegetable, cauliflower is absolutely great for the kidneys. Their high vitamin C, folate and fiber content have earned them the status. They are jam-packed with indoles, glucosinolates and thiocyanates-compounds that aid liver in neutralizing toxins and preventing any cell membrane and DNA damage.Garlic
Garlic is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It also helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Note that cooking garlic will not rid it of its anti-oxidant properties, and that is exactly what we want.The protection against harmful and deteriorating effect of free radicals and easily battled by the antioxidant components of garlic making it a superfood for kidney health.
If you are a dialysis patient sick of the same old garlic salt, use garlic powder instead.
Apples
Not surprised apple made it to the list, because apple a day keeps a doctor away, duh. The high fiber and anti-inflammatory properties of apple protect the kidneys and other organs of the body including the heart. To consume apple’s health benefits, have fresh apple juice every day or eat a raw apple.Egg whites
Were you aware that egg whites are all proteins? Another note-worthy fact if you’re on a kidney diet is that egg whites are low in phosphorus. Make a sandwich out of the egg whites or boil the eggs and consume the white part.Fish
Fish is another storehouse of protein. It is highly recommended to include fish in your meal plan at least twice a week. Besides protein, fish makes a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory fats thus making great foods for chronic kidney disease. They are also great for the heart because they lower the bad cholesterol LDL and elevate the good cholesterol HDL.Kidneys are integral for normal body function. It is therefore of utmost importance to make sure that they are as healthy as possible.
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Top 12 Websites for Online Study & Certifications, Free and Paid
Top 12 Websites for Online Study & Certifications, Free and Paid:
There are several websites that offer online study and certifications all around the world. Some charge fee for the online course, while some provide certificate free of cost. Here is a list of both websites where you may apply for this purpose:Coursera:
A very famous website for online study is Coursera that contains the biggest online library with the collaboration of sixteen renowned universities. It has more than one million students across the globe. Join for free https://www.coursera.orgThe Open University:
This site has been designed for you to pass any course as per your interest without any fee. You can see, the course which has the high rating, shows that its demand is high. Visit http://www.open.edu/openlearn/Khan Academy:
Khan Academy has recorded a number of video lectures, which are available for you without any fee. However, there is no reading in this course. You can watch free videos and learn in this way. Follow the official site, i.e. https://www.khanacademy.org/UMass Boston Open Courseware:
UMass invites you to study online a wide range of subjects, including science, technology, social sciences and Math, etc. They follow a proper discipline and send the students timely assignments, quizzes and exams. For more details, visit their official website: http://ocw.umb.edu/MIT Open Courseware:
MIT offers you to download all the study stuff free and you can learn independently at your home. Check http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htmFree-Ed:
It is a big platform where you can quench your thirst for study and a particular benefit is that you can join their Facebook community for home based group study with the other students enrolled in its courses. Visit http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/Udemy:
Udemy presents free as well as paid courses related to various disciplines. It is the best website to learn web development and designing from the scratch. You can search for the desired course and its details at https://www.udemy.com/Open Yale Courses:
This is another big online portal for free education. It proposes different courses and certificates. It is easy to navigate website and becoming popular rapidly. Check http://oyc.yale.edu/ALISON:
ALISON stands for Advanced Learning Interactive Systems Online. As from the name is obvious, it is for eLearning and provide a certificate at the completion of the course. There is a negligible fee for accessing ALISON Manager, which is a control panel for the tutors. It is worthwhile platform based in Ireland. See details at http://alison.com/University of the People:
It is indeed a university of the people, where they can learn and enhance their knowledge free of cost. You can enroll in any course of your own choice and also get a degree online. There is a minimal fee charged for Application Processing and Examination Processing. Find details at http://uopeople.edu/groups/tuition-free-online-degreeOpen Culture:
It invites you to select any course from a collection of 1100 courses offered by the valuable universities and educational institutions worldwide. You can download study material of the renowned universities from Open Culture Website, i.e. http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecoursesGoogle Code University:
This is the best choice to learn computer languages and Android App development, etc. it has collected worthy stuff from different educational institutions. Official link is https://developers.google.com/university/
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