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HIGHLIGHTSOne year on, after my fellowship training in cardiology, South Africa: its benefit to my country Sierra Leone. By Dr James B.W. RussellSierra Leone is located on the West Coast of Africa and is a developing nation just emerging from a now concluded gruesome rebel war. On completion of my postgraduate Fellowship Training in Cardiology at Groote Schuur Hospital (University of Cape Town, South Africa), I returned home with mixed feelings as the challenges lying ahead of me were astronomical. This was compounded by the fact that all academic materials collected during my fellowship training were lost by a Cargo Freighting company and these materials have never been retrieved. Children compete to become champions in cardiovascular diseaseThe Ghana Society of Hypertension and Cardiology, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Health, introduced the CVD Quiz Programme to senior high-school students, two years ago. It aims to educate them, in a competitive but fun way, on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles so that they can make informed decisions to minimise their risk of cardiovascular disease. IN THIS ISSUEMeeting report: Caribbean civil Society led conference aimed at tackling chronic non-communicable diseases in the regionChronic non-communicable diseases are occurring in epidemic proportions in all countries within the Caribbean, resulting in ill health and premature death. This in turn puts an immense financial and personal burden on the people in the region. Aware that the situation occurred due to an increase in several common risk factors and an inadequate societal response to disease management, a Caribbean civil society led conference on tackling chronic disease was held in Barbados, 16–18 October 2008. HELP: Innovative European campaign sells tobacco-free lifestyleThe European Union HELP: for a life without tobacco campaign has built a transnational brand to bolster a positive image of nonsmoking throughout Europe. It is one of the largest public health awareness campaigns ever organized. In October 2008, the European Commission brought youth together with experts in tobacco control, media, and public health to learn from the campaign and explore ways to build on it. RHDnet – Members’ Discussion Forum UpdateIn the last edition of Heart Beat, RHDnet introduced its first clinical case presenter, Dr Andrew Steer. Join the case discussion, which focuses on an atypical presentation of acute rheumatic fever in a child, and share your knowledge and experience with others working in the field. World Heart Federation statement of support for World Cancer Day 2009The World Heart Federation fully supports the International Union Against Cancer’s theme for World Cancer Day, taking place on 4 February 2009. “I love my healthy active childhood”, calls on families, health professionals, educators and policymakers to promote health and prevent cancer by adopting and advocating a health energy-balanced lifestyle for children, thereby reducing their risk.
UPCOMING EVENTS 200905 - 08 February - Mumbai, IndiaAsia Oceania Congress of Obesity 20 - 22 February - Hong Kong, ChinaCardioRhythm 08 - 12 March- Mumbai, India14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health See all events > | |