RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Unmet Needs and Barriers to Assistive Technology in the Coastal Districts of Karnataka, India
Background: Assistive Technologies (AT), such as hearing aids, walking aids, prostheses, spectacles, can improve the quality of life and enable many to lead dignified lives. The rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) tool developed by World Health Organization (WHO) can measure the needs of AT and the barriers to accessing them. Objective: This study aimed to measure the unmet needs and the usage of AT via the rATA tool in the coastal state of Karnataka in India. Methodology: A population-based survey was conducted among a total of 500 households – 250 from Mangalore and 250 from Udupi of Coastal Karnataka. The need for AT was assessed under six domains of activities, including mobility, seeing, hearing, communication, remembering, and self‑care.
Bringing nephrology to the communities͗ plugging global health gaps
Kidney diseases today have posed a significant challenge for global health and thus bridging the gulf of nephrology in community development calls for greater scientific diplomacy. Investing in treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is among the most pressing concerns of the 21st century notwithstanding other kidney diseases. Convincing evidence suggests that CKD can be picked up by simple laboratory tests, complications can be deferred, the progression of the disease can be slowed and other risk factors avoided. Effective governance by health ministries around the world must translate these technological advances into shaping nephrology care at a community level by strengthening health systems at primary and secondary level of care.
Rising Risk of Heat Waves in Asia
Public Health Impact of Heat Waves in Indian Cities
Globally, the effect and burden due to climate change is distributed unequally and often unpredictably. Urban cities, due to their economic and social advancement, face a high risk due to the variability and unpredictability of changing climate. Anthropogenic activities have increased the global average temperature by more than half since 1950’s1 and it is predicted that global mean temperature will rise by 5.5oC by the end of this century.