Studies Show that Nigeria Has The Highest Twinning Rate In The World

   A multiple pregnancy means that a woman has two or more babies in her uterus. These babies can come from the same egg or from different eggs. The occurrence and frequency of twinning, however, varies across human populations. The maternal age, socio-environmental factors, increase in the use of contraceptives, the race of human population, increase in the spontaneous abortion rate, and seasonal variations are among the factors that could influence twinning rate.

 
Information on twinning rates in southwest Nigeria is limited.

Delivery Rate   :
     A frequency of twin births of 46.5 per 1000 deliveries and 46.2 per 1000 deliveries was recorded for Ilesa and Ile-Ife respectively.
    The incidence of twinning among the races of the world has been extensively studied. Worldwide changes have occurred in the pattern of twinning rates in recent decades. The highest twinning rate is observed to occur among the Negroids, while the lowest occurred among the Mongoloid population. In Nigeria, the incidence of twinning was estimated to be 45‰.

World Down Syndrome Day 21 March

"On this day, let us reaffirm that persons with Down syndrome are entitled to the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Let us each do our part to enable children and persons with Down syndrome to participate fully in the development and life of their societies on an equal basis with others. Let us build an inclusive society for all."

                                                                                             Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health.

Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual.

In December 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (A/RES/66/149). The General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year, and Invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome.


via @ http://www.un.org/en/events/downsyndromeday/

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

"Racism continues to cause suffering for millions of people around the world.... I look to all people to join the United Nations in our drive to eliminate racism. We must, individually and collectively, stamp out racism, stigma and prejudice."

                                                                                      -Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

 

2012 Theme: "Racism and Conflict"

The theme for this year's event is "Racism and Conflict," highlighting the fact that racism and discrimination often are at the root of deadly conflict.
The theme was chosen to capture the often ignored yet mutually reinforcing relationship between racism and conflict. In many parts of the world, racism, prejudice and xenophobia create extreme tension and are used as powerful weapons to engender fear or hatred in times of conflict. Prejudice and xenophobia can even lead to genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and war crimes.
This year's theme aims to raise awareness of these issues and to recall the plight of the victims who suffered or continue to suffer as a result of racism-related conflicts.
The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us of our collective responsibility for promoting and protecting this ideal.

via @http://www.un.org

Brazil Hands out Nearly Half Billion Condoms

Brazil's government says it handed out nearly a half-billion free condoms last year — a record for the nation's campaign to reduce AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
    Brazil's Health Ministry says it distributed 493 million condoms last year. That's 2 1/2 condoms for every person in Latin America's largest nation. They cost the government about $19 million. The ministry says the Brazilian government buys and distributes more condoms than any other nation. About 90 percent of all condoms used in Brazil are provided by the government.The federal government distributes the condoms, with some going to states and municipalities to be handed out in various programs including in Brazil's schools.

 

via @abcnews.com

Killing Us Softly 4 :Advertising's Image of Women

      In this new, highly anticipated update of her pioneering Killing Us Softly series, the first in more than a decade, Jean Kilbourne takes a fresh look at how advertising traffics in distorted and destructive ideals of femininity. The film marshals a range of new print and television advertisements to lay bare a stunning pattern of damaging gender stereotypes - images and messages that too often reinforce unrealistic, and unhealthy, perceptions of beauty, perfection, and sexuality. By bringing Kilbourne's groundbreaking analysis up to date, Killing Us Softly 4 stands to challenge a new generation of students to take advertising seriously, and to think critically about popular culture and its relationship to sexism, eating disorders, and gender violence.

 

8 March - International Women's Day

EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN –  END HUNGER AND POVERTY.

“Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that policies respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making.”

                                                                                            Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

     Recognizing the critical role and contribution of rural women, the theme of International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty.
     Key contributors to global economies, rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing nations — they enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce, comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide.

Documentary : "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" by Dr. Lustig

 Robert H. Lustig, MD  - Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, in the Division of Endocrinology Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Program at UCSF

Dr. Robert Lustig lectures on the perils of sugar, Fructose in particular.He talks about how obesity has risen at the same time as fat consumption has decreased, how soft drinks and the invention of High-Fructose Corn Syrop are two of the larger culprits and the biochemistry of Fructose.

Inside LSD-Full Length Documentary

Brief Overview 

     Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an altered sense of time and spiritual experiences, as well as for its key role in 1960s counterculture. It is used mainly as an entheogen, recreational drug, and as an agent in psychedelic therapy. LSD is non-addictive, is not known to cause brain damage, and has extremely low toxicity relative to dose, although in rare cases adverse psychiatric reactions such as anxiety or delusions are possible The psychedelic drug/entheogen LSD was first synthesized by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in the Sandoz (now Novartis) laboratories in Basel, Switzerland on November 16, 1938. It was not until five years later on April 16, 1943, that the psychedelic properties were found.

March 2012- Health Observations and Events

March 2012 Health Current Events - Months

Awareness Event	Coverage	Related Organization
Mouthguard Awareness	Australia	Australian Dental Association
National Kidney Month	Canada	The Kidney Foundation Of Canada
Help Fight Liver Disease Month	Canada	Canadian Liver Foundation
National Epilepsy Month	Canada	Epilepsy Canada
No Smoking Day	United Kingdom	No Smoking Day
National MS Education and Awareness Month	United States	Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
National Nutrition Month	United States	American Dietetic Association
National Brain Injury Awareness Month	United States	Brain Injury Association of America
Red Cross Month	Worldwide	American Red Cross

March 2012 Health Current Events - Week

Event	Date	Nation	Organisation
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week	24th Feb - 1st Mar	United States	National Eating Disorders Association
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week	25th Feb - 2nd Mar	United Kingdom	Beat Eating Disorders
Endometriosis Awareness Week	2nd Mar - 8th Mar	United Kingdom	Endometriosis UK
National Sleep Awareness Week	5rd Mar - 11th Mar	United States	National Sleep Foundation
Prostate Cancer Awareness Week	10th Mar - 16th Mar	United Kingdom	The Prostate Cancer Charity
National Poison Prevention Week	16th Mar - 22nd Mar	United States	Poison Prevention
Mental Health Action Week	23rd Mar - 29th Mar	United Kingdom	Mental Health Foundation
Arthritis Awareness Week	27th Mar - 2nd Apr	Australia	Arthritis Victoria

March 2012 Health Events - Days

Event	Date	Nation	Organization
World Water Day	22nd Mar	Worldwide	UN Water
World TB Day	24th Mar	Worldwide	The Stop TB Partnership
American Diabetes Alert Day	25th Mar	United States	America Diabetes Association

March 2012- Health Observations and Events