Falling behind without harm reduction

Last month, four AIDS advocacy programs and one former prison inmate took the unconventional, and rather inspired, step of suing the Canadian federal government for not providing a clean needle exchange program to the country’s prison inmates. Their argument, based on the premise that the government must provide prisoners access to the same healthcare services as would be available to them in the community, is unlikely to succeed in Canada’s courts. It does, however, bring to the forefront important public health issue.

Has it been four years already? Micronutrients Redux

There was an interesting article published by Slate late last week about a topic that I discuss in one of my first posts - the undeniably important role of micronutrients, particularly in developing countries, on global health. While there are many prominent issues that have a resounding impact on population health in many poor countries of the world, treatment deficiencies in micronutrients stands out due to it's relative economic feasibility.

Under New Leadership

On Monday April 16, 2012, the World Bank Group announced US nominee Jim Yong Kim as its next President, succeeding Robert Zoellick to become the twelfth leader of the world’s premier development organization. Despite his undeniably impressive accomplishments, the choice of Kim by the World Bank has been the brunt of much criticism, from the worlds of finance and international development alike.

Justice by Jury?

Let's start the week with a story hitting close to home. Jury selection starts today in Ottawa for what is sure to a be a complicated, long-lasting, emotionally draining, not to mention historic trial.

The accused in this case is 39-year old Jacques Mungwarere, arrested in 2009 in Windsor for his alleged participation in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Mungwarere specifically is accused to have participated in the mass killing in two schools and one hospital.

Justice for Sierra Leone

Advocates of international justice rejoiced this past Thursday, as some justice has been delivered to the former leader of the war-torn Liberia, Charles Taylor.

After being on trial for almost five years, the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) found Taylor guilty on 11 counts including terrorism, rape, slavery, use of child soldiers and other crimes against humanity. This verdict is significant not only being it represents the first head of state that has been convicted for atrocities that occurred in Sierra Leone during the civil war of the 1990s, but also as Taylor is the first head of state to be convicted of sexual crimes by an international tribunal.

At Last, Potential Recognized: Micronutrients

Over the past several decades, micronutrients have never received the same media attention as other global health issues such as HIV/AIDs control or malaria. Yet despite their lack of fame, research in the field has proven repeatedly and consistently that micronutrients contain vital health benefits.

Closing the Gap: The Health Impact Fund

To anyone working in global health, the 10-90 gap is a familiar problem. Globally, approximately only 10 percent of spending on health goes towards treating diseases that affect 90 percent of the population. Adding to this disparity is that diseases that contribute most to global rates of morbidity and mortality, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases, disproportionately affect the poor. What we need is more effective and affordable drugs for these diseases, but the current patent system enforced by TRIPS has proven to be a hindrance in this regard.