HYH Health

[hyhhealth]

Covid vaccine is 90 percent effective

Observation: Pfizer and BiTech announced that their experimental vaccine maybe 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. Competitors such as Johnson and Johnson have also announced their vaccine is 80% effective, drug trial has been taking place in many countries South Africa included.

Why: Pfizer’s trial involves more than 44 000 participants n six countries. Half of the number have recent the vaccine and the other half are given a placebo. More than 1,25 million people have died due to the Coronavirus, many countries are going into another form of lockdown due to the second wave of the virus. Pfizer is planning to roll out  Covid vaccine at the end of this year. 

[hyhhealth]

Farm animal therapy - Goat Yoga and Cow Hugging

Observation: Farm animals are increasingly supporting in alternative relaxation and healing therapies.

Cow hugging, known as "koe knuffelen" in Dutch, is based around the healing properties of being close to animals, specifically cows. It typically involves resting on and hugging cows for several hours, taking advantage of the animals’ warm body temperature, slower heartbeat, and large size.

The practice originated in the Netherlands 14 years ago, and now farms from Switzerland to the United States are starting to pick up on the trend. One farm charges $75 per hour.

No Regrets Farm's Goat Yoga classes are held in a farm paddock where goats to roam around the practicing yogis."My goats are just very peaceful animals and everyone that comes over leaves stress-free and happy."  "When they chew their cud it's almost like they go into a meditative state, and it's very soothing to watch. It's perfect to combine with yoga."

Why: People are looking for more natural ways to calm the mind, ease mental stress and connect.

Future: It will be interesting to see what impact, if any, these will have on meatless diets.

-CS

[hyhhealth]

Johnson & Johnson Spray Approved to Treat People with Suicidal Thoughts

Observation: J&J have had an anti-depressant nasal spray approved by the USA FDA. Its designed to be chemically similar to ketamine and is being tested in patients with depression who are at a high risk of committing suicide. It is designed to treat depression in patients who have not benefited from two or more antidepressants. It is meant to be used as a instant reactionary drug instead of the two week delayed drugs which are often prescribed for depression and is specifically targeted at people who are actively thinking about suicide.

It comes with the most severe warnings ever included on an FDA warning, flagging the risk for sedation and difficulty with attention, judgment and thinking, abuse and misuse, and … ironically… suicidal thoughts after administration of the drug.

In dystopian literature its often been stated that the populace will be under the control of a malevolent overlord who provides the people with a drug of some kind to keep them calm and pliable. In 1984 it was gin, and in Brave New World it was the drug Soma which has been compared to Valium in its usage. The concern is that drugs like these will numb us to the realities of our lives, rather than address the concerns that we have as humans.

This drug will inevitably be abused, but how and by whom?

- BR

[hyhhealth]

2020: 59% Natural Causes Death Increase - South Africa

Observation: “In the past weeks, the numbers have shown a relentless increase – by the second week of July, there were 59% more deaths in South Africa from natural causes than would have been expected based on historical data,” the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).

Researchers at SAMRC, calculated that there had been 17,000 excess deaths in South Africa between the first week of May and mid-July, but they emphasised that these included those from conditions that might normally have been diagnosed and treated if it were not for the pandemic as well as those caused directly by Covid-19.

With 60% more natural deaths in the same time period as last year and the year before, it seems that this is clear evidence of the severity of C19. The emphasis on “conditions that might normally have been diagnosed and treated if it were not for the pandemic” is especially worrying as people are now also dying from the inability to get the treatment they need. There is a deep concern within the medical community that these numbers of deaths that are NOT associated with C19 indicates that our infection rate is far higher than we expect, and that testing is way behind the infection rate

With thousands of people doubt the voracity of the infection, not wearing masks and ignoring actively or casually the guidelines set by the WHO, there is every chance that the virus will keep getting worse, as we have seen in the USA. There also might be a growing number of people dying from Non-Corona based reasons as they are not able to get the care they need. Worsening both of those issues and feeling the flames of conspiracy theorists.

- BR

[hyhhealth]

Kid-centric health food for adults

Observation: Increase in popularity of healthy adult cereals with fun, colourful, bright and childlike. Magic Spoon has been trending overseas. 

Why: To stand out from the bland healthy cereals and make health more fun. Magic Spoon founder Gabi Lewis, "Childlike cereal for grown-ups captures a lot of what Magic Spoon is about. It reminds you of being a kid, but it's for grown-ups in the sense that it's upgraded for modern nutritional preferences."

Countertrend: Millennial caregivers are not having separate meals for kids and  not ordering off the kids menu.

Why: The rise in millennial parents will lead to healthier restaurant choices for kids in 2020. Having a separate food category for children implies that children can’t or shouldn’t eat what everyone else eats.

-CS

[hyhhealth]

Dis-Chem Launches Drive through Covid-19 testing

Observation: Dis- chem launched drive-through sites to test the Coronavirus.  These drive-through sites are in shopping malls that have the pharmaceutical retail store.

Why: More than 2000 people in South Africa have been declared to have the Coronavirus and more than 27 people have died from the virus. The number is significantly small as compared to other countries around the world, it’s still a concern as there have been roughly 60,000 tests conducted. Most of the tests conducted have been in private laboratories and the public health sector has been struggling to conduct testing. By conducting these drive-through test Dis-Chem is trying to support the Health sector in South Africa and do its part. Dis-Chem has been getting a lot of negative PR, some of their stores were accused of increasing the price of face masks and hand sanitizer, this is also somewhat of purposeful marketing for the retailer. 

Future: Companies especially FMCG will be investing a lot of money in laboratories trying to find a cure for the virus or like Dis- chem invest getting testing kits for the public.

[hyhhealth]

World Tuberculosis Day and the effects of Covid-19

Observation: The World commemorates the 24th of March as World TB Day, as doctor Robert Koch announced he discovered the cause of Tuberculosis in on the day in 1882. 

Why: Tuberculosis is an infection that affects millions of people around the world and particularly in South Africa.  It is the second deadliest killer worldwide due to the single infectious agents. South Africa has the highest rate of people infected and living with TB, the Western Cape has the highest rate of TB infected people. It is reported that more than 1,3 million people died of TB  South Africa between 2011- 2012. TB is spread through coughing and sneezing.  Tb is the living killer for people for HIV patients, causing one in five deaths. Tuberculosis is spread through the air, for example through coughing and sneezing 

With the introduction of Multi resistance drugs for TB, there has been a massive decline in people falling ill from TB. Even though it can be contracted through the air, you cannot get TB from touching someone’s hand, sharing food or beverages.  With the world, including South Africa worried about the Coronavirus Pandemic its important to look at existing pandemics such as TB and the detriment another virus would have on people infected. 

If the coronavirus continues to spread it could have serious effects on people living with TB and HIV. Even though there are Multi resistance drugs for TB and it’s not spread through contact, accessibility of face masks and anti disinfected sprays should have been massively promoted campaign by the government. Continous disinfecting of public transport and accessibility of face mask should be highly promoted.

Future;  The Corona pandemic will change the way we look at health and safety. It will make us re-evaluate forgotten diseases which although their treatments, however, can be amplified through the introduction of other diseases.

-BT

[hyhhealth]

C-section scheme

Observation: The Council for Medical Schemes has found medically unnecessary fees pertaining to maternity services. Cesarean delivery among South African medical scheme members is amongst the highest in the world. More than 70 percent of infants born under medical schemes were born via c- section in South Africa. Birth via c- section cost up to R42,500 which is massively more expensive than vaginal birth which approximately cost between R16,000 to R25,000.  C section rates for Discovery medical aid members is three times higher than that of any American celebrity hospital rates. 

Why:  The reason why there are high rates of births via c- section is mostly because of profit. There are high reimbursement rates when a baby is born via c- section. Hospitals and medical providers can charge more for a c- section than vaginal birth.  Consultations and hospital visits are 67 percent more expensive for a c- section than a normal birth. C- sections can be a life-saving procedure however there are health complications such as the high risk of infections, surgical and anesthetic risks and risk to the baby.  

Within medical schemes,  there are more hospital plan babies born via c- section than comprehensive plan babies. Hospital plans are cheaper than comprehensive plans. Members who are on comprehensive plans are older, have higher income levels and socioeconomic status. Comprehensive plan members have been found to have better information about c- section deliveries.

In addition to profit gain as a factor for high levels of c-sections among medical schemes, litigation and lawsuits from vaginal birth are other contributing factors. There is a high rate of laws suits due to complications in vaginal birth. In South Africa, 98 percent of legal claims in relation to Obstetrics is related to vaginal births.

Future: CMS is looking to action for medical schemes to pay a flat rate per birth whether it was a c-section or vaginal, this is viewed as an extreme measure by the CMS. The other measure is placing substantial reductions in c-section births. The CMS is still investigating the cost of c- section and are wanting to see if there will be a reduction in births via c- section.

-BT

[hyhhealth]

BOS Ice Tea On The Health Shot Buzzz!

“Just what the doctor ordered”

Observation: BOS Ice Tea just dropped their new range of health shots you can purchase in bulk.

Why: As we all get more health conscious, brands are tapping into the gap of producing health products that’ll prevent us from spending thousands on medical bills.

Future: More brands to create more easy accesible health solutions.

TD

[hyhhealth]

48 HIV-positive women coerced into being sterilized at public hospitals

“You HIV people don’t ask questions when making babies. You must be closed up…Just sign the form.”

Observation: A total of 48 HIV-positive women fell victim to coerced and forced sterilization in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng public hospitals. Five hospitals were implicated in Gauteng, while KwaZulu-Natal had 10 health facilities implicated.

Why: CGE chairperson Tamara Mathebula said the practices by the implicated hospitals were outlawed both by international protocols and local legislation. 

Mathebula said in one case, a women went to Nkandla Hospital in 2011.“The nurses told her that she is getting sterilized because she had many children. She was also told that if she does not get sterilized she would die. She was then coerced to signing the consent form,” said Mathebula.

In another case, also in KwaZulu-Natal,  a woman went to Kwamagwaza Hospital where a doctor examined her. The doctor diagnosed the woman to have tuberculosis and told her she had to be sterilized because “the TB would infect the child”. 

Some of the women told the commission they were asked to sign sterilization consent forms while in extreme labour pains. “This is unacceptable, it is too much…Women living with HIV were exposed to coerced sterilization in public health facilities,” Mathebula said.

Mathebula said many of these complainants are now suffering from depression as they can no longer have children. Many have also lost their partners as they cannot conceive. She said the women’s rights were grossly violated because the sterilization procedure could not be reversed. CGE will submit the report to the department of health for further investigations and action to be taken.

TD

[hyhhealth]

Unilever will stop marketing ice cream for children.

Observation: Unilever, the FMCG company known for brands such as Ola locally, Ben & Jerry's and Klondike ice cream bars internationally, have taken a stance that they will not target children in their marketing campaigns for ice cream brands. 

Why: Any through the line advertising of tobacco is prohibited because of the serious health risk the substance give. Alcohol abuse and drinking under the influence is a serious issue in South Africa, debates about banning through the line marketing of alcohol brands constantly are reviewed. Obesity is one of the top leading risks for causes of death. The world health has reported that there has been a significant increase in child obesity in recent years. In 2016, World health reported that more than 40 million children globally were either overweight or obese. Unhealthy eating habits and diets were the major contributors to obesity in children. Unilever will restrict any marketing campaigns targeting children with products that do not give a nutritional benefit to them.

Future: We have not seen brands take a big stance such as Unilever in recent times. This ban would probably be government-led. For the South African government, this would be an extension of the sugar tax.

[hyhhealth]

Rose Joints

Observation: Similar to flavored tobacco, a rose petal blunt amplifies the herbaceous taste of the product. It’s a deep red or purple, depending on which color flower you pick petals from, classing up your smoking act quite a few levels. 

Pros: With elegance, the rose petal blunt offers a swankier, more feminine take on the blunt. The petals offer a softer taste than a regular blunt, giving off the same aromatics as an herbal potpourri. Like other smokable herb blends that combine flower petals like rose and sage smoked by those who want to smoke in social settings but not consume tobacco, a rose blunt offers the safety of smoking something natural. Cutting out the companies that make rolling papers coated with harmful chemicals, rolling your own rose blunt gives you the security of knowing where all the ingredients have come from. After all, blunts are arguably one of the least safe ways to get high because of their tobacco content and because of how blunt wrappers are chemically treated.

Instead, try substituting a rose blunt for a regular blunt. Not only is the rose a known mood enhancer, but it also may serve to help insomnia or fatigue, especially if added to some powerful indica. 

Cons: Unfortunately, not everything can be 100% safe. Smoking anything can be harmful to the lungs.  Not to mention, plants are often grown with toxic chemicals that only serve to cause other complications if ingested or inhaled into the human body. For this reason, when rolling up a rose petal blunt, try to use organic flowers or ones that have not been treated with pesticides or chemicals.That way, when lighting up you’re taking in only natural substances– all flowers, after all!

TD

[hyhhealth]

Friendly Helpers

Observation: As the world panics over the Corona virus, human nature comes peaking through the dangers. As the Chinese government, remarkably, builds a 1000 bed hospital in 10 days in Wuhan, 40 million people watched the build over livestream. Not content with simply watching the machinery work, they obsessed over them, creating Weibo and WeChat groups dedicated to the large and small machines.  

Cement mixers have found themselves with nicknames like "The Cement King", "Big White Rabbit" and "The White Roller" A large flat-bed truck carrying construction supplies has affectionately been termed "Brother Red Bull". Some of the diggers are given names based on their colour, such as "Little Yellow" and "Little Blue". The most popular is Folkchan who is one of the smallest, but hardest working and diligent machines on the site, with its own fan art.

Why: Even amongst the horrors of an uncurtained virus, people will find humour and hope, anthropomorphising is a human trait which brings us closer to objects and things that do not have their own awareness. 

- BR

[hyhhealth]

Could The Next Status Signal Be How We Breath?

Observation: AO Air’s Atmos Faceware is the latest in climate change technology positioning a high-tech personal filter to remove pollutants from the air you breathe. 

Unveiled at CES 2020, the wearable gadget wants to be a solution to bad air quality

Air filtering masks are popular in other parts of the world, like India, the country with the world’s most polluted air. They are also commonplace in China where ‘courtesy masks’ — surgical masks worn to prevent their germs from infecting others — are considered a polite thing to wear if you’re sick. However, only certain types actually include exhaust valves with levels of filtration performance.

AO Air claims up to 50 times better protection than its competitors, which it attributes to independent testing by the Auckland University of Technology. The mask cleans the air at about 240 liters per minute and its filters last about one month, depending on the environmental air quality. The batteries last about five hours, depending on lung capacity, physical activity, and air quality.

The mask will eventually retail for $350 and comes with four extra filters.

 - JS

[hyhhealth]

A New Male Birth Control In Global Trial

Observation: A landmark international trial is already under way, and the results could prove revolutionary as hundreds worldwide are trialling a pioneering form of contraception – designed specifically for men.

If it’s a success, and early results are good, it could be the first non-permanent male contraceptive to become available since condoms were invented more than 400 years ago.

The treatment is a hormone-based gel, clear in colour and the consistency of hand sanitiser, that’s applied to the shoulders every morning, where it is quickly absorbed by the skin. Within weeks, the user’s sperm count plummets and – once levels are low enough – it can work as a couple’s only form of birth control.

Experts say there are few, if any noticeable side effects, and they hope it will work as well as the Pill, which is 99 per cent effective when taken perfectly.

 - JS

[hyhhealth]

Obesity Awareness

Observation: whilst driving to the Drakensburg we spotted this advertisement, initially we were horrified that anyone would use something like obesity as a slogan for sales. Shamefully it was a little appealing. It is, however, a push by the dept of Health to discourage consuming foods and drinks which contribute to obesity, and ill-health such as Cancer, Diabetes and high blood pressure. Why: South Africa is known to have one of the worst levels of obesity as a result of poor diet. This has a powerful effect on the economy as peoples ill-health prevents them from working, meaning this can be a strain on the family and the state. 

Future: While foods that are bad for you are the easiest and most cost-effective for the consumer this will be a massive problem. This educational drive will hopefully create some awareness, especially with the more savvy youth market.

- BR

[hyhhealth]

Young Blood

Observation: Ambrosia, a US based company charges $8000 to fill up your veins with young blood.

Why: Jesse Karmazin, Ambrosia’s founder a Stanford graduate is hoping filling up the veins of older people with the blood from young donors would help “conquer ageing by rejuvenating the body's organs...”

Future: With beauty industry promises of never ending youth, this procedure might change the way we look at what we consider “commodities” in this instance being our blood.

-TM