Pearls from the Lancet Global Health Network

Kids these days have it rough--the world is becoming too sheltered.
Round hole, square peg? The Ameri­can Academy of Pediatrics has recom­mended a redesign of the humble hot dog. The fast food results in the choking-related treatment of 15 000 youngsters in the USA every year. Experts say square-shaped hot dogs could save lives. But other foods, such as grapes, also pose a risk, according to the Academy. Sadly, their redesign might prove more difficult.

Canadian health care costs less than ours, but they have money to fund this type of research?
Medical drama Canadian researchers have revealed the shocking fact that medical dramas on television are not the best source of information about first aid, especially when it comes to seizures. The researchers spent many a gruelling hour watching episodes of House MD, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, and Private Practice, and found that 46% of depictions of seizure care involved inappropriate actions such as putting something into the patient’s mouth.

On a more serious note, will be interesting to see if this trend catches on in advanced economies.  Finland is quickly moving to my A-list as a result of its prominence in the BBC Wildlife Photography Competition, and now, I can claim that the trip has relevance to work!
Nurse prescribing Finnish nurses could soon be able to prescribe drugs for the specific medical conditions in which they have been trained, with authorisation from a supervising doctor. The bill, currently being con­sidered by the Finnish Parliament, is expected to improve the efficiency of services in health centres and to slow down the increasing demand for physicians.
Innovation and aggressively negotiation with donors pays off!  Can we apply to public health in the U.S.?
Pay for performance The World Bank has released the results of a study on the use of pay-for-performance (P4P) medicine in low-income countries. The study examined the effect of P4P on maternal and child health services such as facility-based childbirth and scheduled vaccination in Rwanda, and concluded that financial performance incentives are capable of improving both the quantity and quality of health services.  

In the Mississippi Delta, an Iranian health delivery model using community health works is being replicated.  Globalization at its best!   Maybe we can send sweet tea and pecan pie their way in exchange. . . .