News
30/06/2022
Only 20% of American adults have 'optimal' heart health, new research reveals. According to the study by the American Heart Association (AHA), the US population is well below optimal levels of cardiovascular health. This is based on AHA's Life’s Essential 8™ cardiovascular health scoring, its updated metrics to measure heart and brain health. The AHA's Life’s Essential 8 scoring includes: diet physical activity nicotine exposure sleep health body weight blood lipids blood glucos blood pressure With sleep being the newest addition. For the AHA study, researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2013 to 2018. This data included non-pregnant, non-institutionalized individuals between two and 79 years old who did not have cardiovascular disease. All participants had an overall cardiovascular health (CVH) score calculated for them ranging from 0 to 100, as well as a score for diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure – all using AHA definitions. The results revealed that among the more than 23,400 American adults and children without cardiovascular disease (CVD), overall cardiovascular health was not ideal. Indeed, the research showed roughly 80% of people scored at a low or moderate level. Mitchell Weinberg, MD, chair of cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital, part of Northwell Health in New York, the AHA's Life’s Essential 8 scoring is both valuable and patient friendly for determining CVH. “Possessing one number that crystallizes a person’s current health status enables that individual to comprehend the need for change and target a single numeric goal,” he said. *Image by Andrzej Rembowski from Pixabay
09/06/2022
Bariatric surgery, also commonly referred to as weight-loss surgery, can help to reduce the risk of developing six different types of cancer associated with obesity, new research suggests. For the study, more than 1,600 obese people who had either gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy surgery were compared to a control group of over, 2,100 obese individuals with obesity who did not undergo surgery. Both groups were matched in terms of age, sex and BMI. According to the study, the findings of which were presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), people who underwent bariatric surgery were also less likely to develop any type of cancer compared to their obese peers who had not had surgery. In fact, the study found that only 5.2 percent of people who had bariatric surgery went on to develop some type of cancer during the 10-year study period, compared to 12.2 percent of those who did not have weight loss surgery. Furthermore, the overall 10-year survival rate for patients who underwent surgery was 92.9 percent, while it was just 78.9 percent for the non-surgical group. Commenting on the study, Dr. Shanu Kothari, president of the ASMBS, said: “Patients live longer after bariatric surgery because they have less cardiac events and less cancers.” *Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
12/05/2022
How much good quality sleep you get each night could impact your ability to not only lose weight but also maintain it, new research suggests. Studies have previously shown that a lack of quality sleep can increase people's desire for high calorie foods, including those that are loaded with carbohydrates. Now, new research reveals how a lack of quality sleep can also undermine people's attempts to maintain a healthy weight after dieting. For the study, researchers from the University of Copenhagen studied the quality and duration of sleep among 195 obese adults. They found that a low calorie diet can help aid better sleep, with sleep quality increasing by 0.8 global PSQI score points and sleep duration by 17 minutes per night after the initial 8-week period. Moreover, the researchers found that those who slept less than 6 hours a night, or had poor sleep quality, increased their BMI by 1.1 kg/m2. In comparison, obese adults who achieved over 6 hours of quality sleep each night reduced their BMI by 0.16 kg/m2. Dr. Signe Torekov, study lead author and a professor of clinical translation metabolism, said: “Adults who aren’t sleeping enough or getting poor quality sleep after weight loss appear less successful at maintaining weight loss than those with sufficient sleep.”
24/03/2022
Sugar-free and low sugar drinks can help people realise a number of health benefits, a new study has found. According to the research, the results of which are published in JAMA Network Open, drinking diet soda and sugar alternatives, such as Stevia and Equal, instead of can help people lose weight, reduce their BMI, and lower their risk of diabetes. In fact, the researchers said participants who consumed low and no-calorie beverages saw positive effects similar to those one would expect from water. “Ideally, you would replace sugary beverages with water as much as possible, but our findings show that people have another choice — a low-calorie or no-calorie beverage is a good option as well,” said Tauseef Ahmad Khan, MBBS, PhD, a researcher at the University of Toronto department of nutritional sciences and a coauthor of the study. Modern Western diets often contain too much sugar and it's causing a huge health problem. For example, the average American consumes 22 teaspoons (tsp) of added sugar daily, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends people limit their daily intake of sugar to about 6 tsp women and 9 tsp for men. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, lists higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease among the health issues related to too much sugar intake. *Image by DesignDraw DesignDrawArtes from Pixabay
15/03/2022
A new malaria drug that can cure a certain type of the disease has been approved in Australia for kids and teens. Announcing the approval on Monday 14 March, the non-profit organization Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) said a single dose of tafenoquine (Kozenis) for use in combination with the traditional malaria drug chloroquine. This is the first time the drug has been authorized for use in children and will likely lead to more such approvals worldwide. Tafenoquine, which was developed by MMV and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), can cure a type of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, most common in South and Southeast Asia, South America and the Horn of Africa. It is estimated that P. vivax causes up to 5 million malaria infections every year, with children aged 2 to 6 four times more likely than adults to contract it, according to MMV. "We are proud to have worked with GSK to develop this child-friendly treatment and are thrilled by today's announcement. P. vivax malaria is particularly dangerous for young children for whom repeated relapses can lead to cumulative severe anemia and, in some cases, be fatal. Today, we have a tool to put a stop to the relentless relapse both for adults and children – we are one step closer to defeating this disease," Dr. David Reddy, CEO of MMV, said in a statement. The drug will be submitted for approval in nine countries, as well as to the World Health Organization, George Jagoe, an executive vice president with MMV, told The New York Times. *Image by Welcome to all and thank you for your visit ! ツ from Pixabay
04/01/2022
It's 2022 and for many that means starting a New Year's resolution or three. And this year, with the threat of different coronavirus variants a distinct reality, losing weight could be significant. That's because data shows people who are overweight and obese have a greater chance of being more severely impacted should they catch COVID. Indeed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being obese increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. In fact, obese individuals are not just 46% more at risk of contracting COVID-19, they are three times more likely to be hospitalized because of COVID-19 than their average weight peers. More worryingly, obese people also face a 74% higher risk of needing to be treated in the ICU and, perhaps most troubling of all, have a 48% increased risk of death. "The risk goes up and up and up with each increase" in body mass index (BMI), said study co-author Barry Popkin, a distinguished professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. Dozens of studies have shown similar results. So, if you ever needed an incentive to lose some of that festive fat, the threat posed by COVID should provide all the motivation you need. Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
12/08/2021
Since Monday, anyone wanting to visit a restaurant, bar or other attraction/venue in France has to use a QR code-based digital health pass. The passes are designed to prove a person has either been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or tested negative for the coronavirus in the previous 72 hours. Now, vaccinated travelers to France from outside the European Union have a way to obtain the digital health passes and visit popular tourist sites, including iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, travel across the country by train, or enjoy a coffee and croissant at a Paris cafe. US travelers already in France or planning to arrive by Sunday can apply for a French health pass by submitting a copy of their CDC vaccine card, valid passport, and airline tickets to French officials via email. Visitors from the US, Canada and the rest of the world have bespoke email addresses. Visitors to France will need to have been fully vaccinated with either Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or AstraZeneca vaccines. The French government is currently accepting applications from travelers who are 18 and older, and are already in Europe or plan to arrive by August 15. Right now, it is unclear how the process may change for visitors planning trips further ahead. *Image by Phil Riley from Pixabay
04/03/2021
France is gearing up for a possible easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions from mid-April, as vaccines, to date, are proving effective at lowering infection rates. French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday that while the nation is still facing hard times, “For the first time in months, the return to more normal living conditions is in sight.” Attal said vaccinated groups (mainly the elderly) are witnessing falling infection rates, which, he said, is a sign that the country’s vaccination program is working and should be sped up. "It is neither a distant nor uncertain horizon - it is an horizon that is getting closer and closer. We hope maybe from mid-April, and we are preparing for it. "The president (Emmanuel Macron) asked us to submit proposals that could allow for a cautious re-opening of the country soon,” he said. Attal added that the goal of vaccinating the most fragile was to reduce hospitalizations and safeguard the nation’s health care system, which is key to easing restrictions. Earlier this week, Health Minister Olivier Veran said France will retain its current measures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19, including a nighttime curfew, as a bare minimum for the next four to six weeks. Other measures now in force include the closure of bars, restaurants, museums, sports and music venues. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.
16/02/2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday gave two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine the green light to be used for emergency use, listing them on its Emergency Use Listing (EUL), paving the way for them to be rolled out globally through COVAX. The vaccines are produced by AstraZeneca-SKBio (Republic of Korea) and the Serum Institute of India. WHO’s EUL assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines. “Countries with no access to vaccines to date will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk, contributing to the COVAX Facility’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. ‘But we must keep up the pressure to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere and facilitate global access. To do that, we need two things – a scale-up of manufacturing capacity, and developers’ early submission of their vaccines for WHO review.” Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine was listed for emergency use by WHO on 31 December 2020.
30/04/2020
Young people with COVID-19 who are obese are at greater risk of being hospitalised and experiencing more severe symptoms, new research has found. According to the study of 3,615 patients who had tested positive for COVID-19, while being overweight didn’t appear to have any negative impact on individuals aged 60+, it did in younger patients. Compared to those with a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), which is less than 30, patients with BMIs of 30-34 were twice as likely to need hospitalisation and twice as likely to need acute care. Meanwhile, while younger COVID-19 patients with BMIs of 35 or higher were also found to be twice as likely to require hospitalisation, they were three times more likely to end up in the intensive care unit. One of the study co-authors, Jennifer Lighter, MD, a hospital epidemiologist in New York City, said the findings are significant, especially in the US where 42% of the population has a BMI over 30 and is considered obese. “Our hospital was one of the first to find the association between obesity and coronavirus, but I think it will soon become very common,” Lighter said. It is important for frontline health workers to understand how being obese potentially changes a patient’s clinical outlook and consider such patients as high-risk.
10/03/2020
If there wasn’t already enough motivation for overweight men to shed some pounds, new research suggests losing weight could help lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men globally, with approximately 1.3 million new cases in 2018 alone. Fortunately, if discovered early enough, prostate cancer has a relatively low mortality rate, with 96% of patients surviving for 15 years or more following an early stage diagnosis. However, as with any cancer, prevention is better than cure, and survival rates for advanced prostate cancer are very poor. That’s why a new, large-scale analysis of 15 studies involving nearly 831,000 men is significant. It found that having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of above 25 during middle to late adulthood was associated with the highest risk for advanced prostate cancer. Furthermore, the researchers from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University found that having a larger waist size was also associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer and death. “These study results show that risk for advanced prostate cancer can be decreased by maintaining a 'healthy' weight, which is in line with guidelines by the American Cancer Society and World Cancer Research Fund,” said study author Jeanine Genkinger, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health The study was published March 4 in the Annals of Oncology.
22/10/2019
Researchers have found fat in overweight and obese people’s lungs. It’s the first time such a discovery has been made and could provide important clues as to why overweight and obese people have an increased risk of asthma. For the research, a team from Australia analysed lung samples from 52 deceased individuals. They found the amount of fat present increased in line with Body Mass Index (BMI). Being overweight/obese is already linked to having asthma, but it was previously thought that excess weight pressing on the lungs was the main reason for this. However, the Australian researchers say fatty tissue in the walls of airways takes up space and causes inflammation, which can lead to wheezing and asthma. Speaking about the findings of the research, which are published in the European Respiratory Journal, Dr Peter Noble from the University of Western Australia said: “We’ve found that excess fat accumulates in the airway walls where it takes up space and seems to increase inflammation within the lungs. “We think this is causing a thickening of the airways that limits the flow of air in and out of the lungs, and that could at least partly explain an increase in asthma symptoms.” Experts say that more research is now needed to find out whether the build-up of fatty tissue could be reversed through weight loss. In the meantime, asthma patients should be supported to achieve a healthy weight.
02/07/2019
Postmenopausal women who have more fat on their legs and thighs have less risk of stroke or heart disease than their peers who carry fat around their stomach, a new study has found. As a result of the research, the findings of which appear in the European Heart Journal, scientists say women should aim to be more “pear-shaped” than “apple-shaped”. For the research, scientists followed 2,600 women with BMIs of between 187 and 25 for 18 years. The scientists found that the women who were apple-shaped i.e. had fat around their stomachs were more than three times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the women who were pear-shaped i.e. had fat on their legs and thighs. It’s already known that fat stored in the visceral region (around the abdominal organs) can increase a person’s chances of developing type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems, but the exact reasons why remain unknown. Further research is needed. The advice for women (and men) is to reduce the amount of fat they have stored around their stomachs. Speaking about the findings of the study, Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This study uncovers an interesting link between where fat is stored and your risk of heart attack and stroke, but can't tell us why it exists. “Future research to uncover how the distribution of body fat is related to these diseases could reveal important new ways to prevent and treat the world's biggest killer.”
02/05/2019
A major study has found that the UK has a big obesity problem, and that there are severe health implications for people who are even just a little overweight. According to the research, which was funded by healthcare firm Novo Nordisk, individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30-35 were 70% more likely to develop heart failure than their healthy weight peers (18.5-25 BMI). Furthermore, the study of 2.8 million adults also showed that people who were even slightly overweight were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. The study, which is due to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, also revealed: The risk of Type 2 diabetes for people with a BMI of 35-40 was almost nine times higher People with severe obesity (BMI of 40-45) were 12 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes People with severe obesity also had triple the risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, and dyslipidaemia (elevated levels of total or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol) A BMI of 40-45 was also linked with a 50% higher risk of dying prematurely from any cause Speaking about the findings of the study, Public Health England said “sustained action” was needed to tackle obesity.
26/03/2019
As obesity rates across the world continue to rise, understanding exactly why we put on weight has never been more important. That’s why the findings of a new study, which looked at whether there is an association between when we eat and how much weight we gain, could be very significant. Presenting their findings at the ENDO 2019 conference, which took place in New Orleans, the scientists from the University of Colorado in Denver said there is a link between eating later in the day and having a higher BMI, as well as more body fat. For the study, 31 adults who were either overweight or obese and had an average age of 36 years were closely monitored to assess their sleep, levels of activity, and diet. Interestingly, the study also showed that the participants who ate later in the day still had an average of 7 hours sleep each night, suggesting that lack of sleep may not promote obesity after all. Speaking about the findings of the study, Dr. Adnin Zaman, lead author, said “These findings support our overall study, which will look at whether restricting the eating window to earlier on in the day will lower obesity risk.”
26/02/2019
How many push-ups (also known as press-ups) can you do? Do you even know? Do you even care? Well maybe you should… That’s because a new study has found that a man’s ability to do push-ups may be a good indicator of their cardiovascular risk. The findings of the study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, may enable physicians to assess cardiovascular risk more easily and more cost effectively. Simply put, the more push-ups a man can do, the lower his cardiovascular risk and vice versa. Speaking about the findings of the study, first author Justin Yang, M.D. said: "Our findings provide evidence that push-up capacity could be an easy, no-cost method to help assess cardiovascular disease risk in almost any setting.” For the study, researchers measured both the push-up capacity and the submaximal treadmill exercise tolerance of each participant at the beginning. Yearly physical exams and medical questionnaires were then used to gather relevant data. The researchers found that participants who were able to complete over 40 push-ups to begin with had a 96% lower cardiovascular risk than those who could only complete 10 or fewer push-ups. It is still unknown whether the findings of the study also apply to women and men who are older, younger and/or less physically fit than the participants. That’s the study involved 1,104 active male fire fighters with a mean age of 39.6 and mean BMI of 28.7.
31/10/2018
A new study, one of the largest of its kind, suggests being the wrong weight i.e. overweight or underweight cold knock four years off a person’s life expectancy. According to the study, the findings of which were published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, from the age of 40, people towards the higher end of the healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) range (a healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 25) had the lowest risk of dying from disease, including cancer and heart disease. In contrast, individuals who had BMI scores of less than 18.5 or more than 30 had life expectancies that were 4.4 years and 3.85 years shorter respectively. BMI scores, which are calculated by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by their height (in metres squared), are still considered by health professionals to be the simplest and most accurate way to work out if someone is overweight or underweight. For the population-based cohort study, researchers analysed anonymised data on 3.6 million adults from the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Dr Krishnan Bhaskaran, lead author of the study, said: “The most striking thing about our findings was how widely BMI was linked to different causes of death. BMI was associated with deaths from nearly all major causes.” He added that the research reinforces the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight. Perhaps the most interesting finding is that people who have low BMI scores are at as much risk, if not more, of reducing their life expectancies.
28/02/2018
New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows that waist-to-hip ratio is a better heart attack predictor than body mass index (BMI), with so-called “apple shape” women at greater risk than their male counterparts. According to the research from the George Institute for Global Health, waist-to-hip ratio is an 18% better heart attack predictor than BMI in women and 6% in men. However, the research also found that BMI was linked to heart disease risk in both sexes. For the research, the team from the George Institute in Oxford interviewed nearly 500,000 UK adults aged 40 to 69. They found women who had bigger waists relative to their hips are at more risk of heart attacks than men with similar body shapes. Speaking about the findings of the research, Ashleigh Doggett, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Considering the large amount of UK participants, this is a very interesting study which highlights that obesity remains a risk factor for heart attacks in both men and women. "Interestingly, it suggests that those of us who are 'apple' as opposed to 'pear' shape, especially women, may be at higher risk of a heart attack.” The researchers say their findings suggest the differences in the way men and women store fat may affect their risk of heart disease. While more research is needed, these findings do support the notion that being “apple shape” (having proportionally more fat around the abdomen) is more hazardous for your health than being “pear shape” (having proportionally more fat stored around the hips. The full findings of the research can be found in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
22/11/2017
Overweight or obese women may not detect cancerous breast lumps until they are much larger and more difficult to treat, a Swedish study has found. Researchers from the Karolinksa Institute studied more than 2,000 women who developed breast cancer between 2001 and 2008, all of who had been receiving mammograms every 18 months to two years, as is standard in Sweden. They found that women with higher body mass indexes (BMIs) were more likely to have a larger tumour when detected than women who were slimmer. Lead author of the study, Fredrik Strand, said this was either because the tumours were harder to detect because overweight women have larger breasts or because their tumours grew faster. Women who are overweight are already at greater risk of developing breast cancer and, unfortunately, larger tumours carry a worse prognosis. Therefore, these women may need more frequent mammograms to help spot tumours early, say the researchers. Women who are judged to be at greater risk of developing breast cancer – such as those with a family history – are already offered more frequent screening. Speaking about the findings of the study, Strand said: “Our study suggests that when a clinician presents the pros and cons of breast cancer screening to the patient, having high BMI should be an important 'pro' argument”.
12/10/2017
A new report by Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), reveals that obesity in children is 10 times higher today than it was in 1975. Even more startling is the report’s prediction that within five years, more children will be obese than underweight. For the research, lead author Prof. Majid Ezzati, of the School of Public Health at ICL, and his team of over 1,000 researchers examined the body mass index (BMI) of almost 130 million people living in 200 countries, including 31.5 million individuals between 5 and 19 years old – making this study the largest of its kind. They found that total childhood obesity rates have risen globally by more than 10-fold in the past forty years. More specifically, in 1975, there were 5 million obese girls. In 2016, this number had risen to 50 million. A similar trend was found for boys, with 6 million obese in 1975 compared to 74 million in 2016. The researchers say that if the trend continues, there will be more obese children in the world than underweight ones by the end of 2020. Commenting on the findings, Prof. Ezzati said: “The trend predicts a generation of children and adolescents growing up obese and also malnourished. We need ways to make healthy, nutritious food more available at home and school, especially in poor families and communities, and regulations and taxes to protect children from unhealthy foods.” The findings of the study were published in The Lancet.
25/05/2017
Men with waists over 40 inches and women with waists over 35 inches are at greater risk of certain cancers, as well as type 2 diabetes. That’s the message to come out of a study by scientists at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is an arm of the World Health Organisation. According to Dr Heinz Freisling, the lead author of the study published in the British Journal of Cancer, a person’s waist measurement is as good at predicting cancer risk as their body mass index (BMI). His advice is for people to know their waistlines. “You only need to put a tape measure around your belly button. This is easy to do and can give a person an indication of whether their risk for specific cancers is increased or not – for instance pancreas or liver cancer which are known to be related to increased body fatness or obesity,” he said. Being overweight or obese is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking and is linked to 13 types of cancer, including bowel, breast and pancreas. The study combined data from about 43,000 participants who had been followed for an average of 12 years and more than 1,600 people were diagnosed with an obesity-related cancer.
09/03/2017
Despite the fact the number of people who are overweight or obese has risen over the past 30 years, fewer people are actually attempting to shed weight, according to a new study, the findings of which were published in JAMA. Around two thirds of the adult population in the United States are obese or overweight, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. However, new research has found that even though there has been a significant rise in the number of people who are overweight or obese since the 1980s, the percentage of U.S. adults who are trying to lose weight has fallen. For their research, study co-author Dr. Jian Zhang and her colleagues from the Georgia Southern University, analysed the data of 27,350 U.S. adults aged between 20 and 59 years. The analyses revealed that the rates of overweight and obesity increased by 13%, from 53% in 1988-1994 to 66% in 2009-2014. Furthermore, the researchers also found that the percentage of people who attempted to lose weight over the same period actually dropped by 7%, from 56% in 1988-1994 to 49% in 2009-2014. At present, people are deemed to be overweight or obese depending on their body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 25 to under 30 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. A healthy diet and regular physical activity are proven to help curb weight gain, which is why we should all make a conscientious effort to watch what we eat and exercise more. [Recommended read: BMI Wrongly Labelling People Unhealthy, Finds New Research]
21/02/2017
Half of people labelled 'obese' because of their body mass index (BMI) scores are actually healthy, according to new research, bringing into question the validity of the scoring system. Scientists claim the BMI scoring system is wrongly labelling millions of people 'unhealthy' when, in fact, they are actually much healthier than their slimmer counterparts. Dr. A. Janet Tomiyama, an assistant professor in the department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said: "Many people see obesity as a death sentence. But the data shows there are tens of millions of people who are overweight and obese and are perfectly healthy." Scientists say that BMI is being used by healthcare companies to increase premiums in some countries and that the latest findings will be "the final nail in the coffin for BMI." The problem with BMI is that it can give people false hope. For example, a person can have a 'normal' BMI, yet be at risk of disease, highlighting that it is not always an accurate predictor of future health. Prof Tomiyama and her colleagues discovered that more than 54 million Americans are being labelled as "unhealthy," even though they are not. The study - the results of which were published in the International Journal of Obesity - analysed the link between BMI and several health indicators, including blood pressure and glucose, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It found nearly half of Americans who are labelled 'overweight' because of their BMIs (34.4 million people) are healthy, as are 19.8 million who are considered 'obese'.
29/11/2016
A Canadian study has questioned how a pregnant mother's consumption of beverages containing sweeteners might affect the weight of their unborn child. According to the authors, the risk of a mother's unborn child being overweight could be increased among those mothers who consume sweeteners on a daily basis. Dr. Meghan Azad, of the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada), and her staff questioned more than 3,000 women to learn about their eating habits during pregnancy. In addition, the body mass index (BMI) of their children was also measured at the age of one. The researchers made two main findings: 1. 5.1% of the young children at the age of one were already overweight. 2. Mothers who consumed one or more artificially sweetened drinks each day during their pregnancies doubled the risk of their unborn children being overweight by the time they were one. In conclusion, the researchers admit that their work includes some limitations such as the mothers reporting their eating habits via questionnaire. They point out, however, that "to their knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the potential effect of consuming artificial sweeteners during pregnancy and infant weight gain." In January 2015, the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSES) was less convinced. According to them, "the available data do not make it possible to identify any benefit or conclude on the risk associated with the consumption of intense sweeteners during pregnancy, whether it is maternal health, obstetric parameters, or health of the newborn."
25/10/2016
A leading bariatric surgeon in the UK has urged the government to offer gastric surgery to patients regardless of their weight. According to Professor Francesco Rubino, the Chair of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Kings College, thousands of type-2 diabetes patients in the UK are missing out on vital weight loss surgery because they do not meet the NHS's guidelines when it comes to weight. That's because, at present, only type-2 diabetes patients who have a BMI of over 30 are currently eligible for bariatric surgery. Rubino says that weight loss surgery is "the closest thing to a cure" and should be used more often. In the UK, there are around 3.6 million people with type-2 diabetes, which costs the NHS up to £10 billion a year to treat. However, approximately 15% of sufferers are "normal weight" and so don't qualify for weight loss surgery under the NHS's current guidelines. "The biggest barrier we have is primarily one of stigma against obesity. The vast majority of the public believes this is a cosmetic intervention and unfortunately many physicians think the same way," said Rubino. Rubino also highlighted that weight loss surgeries, which manipulate the stomach or small intestine, do not just help people lose weight, but actually influence insulin production by altering hormones in the person's gut. "More than 50% of people with type 2 diabetes can enjoy long term remission. Another 30 or 40% enjoy a major improvement," he added.
20/10/2016
Babies whose mothers are obese or overweight are at risk of living considerably shorter lives, according to new research from Belgium. In fact, mothers who are overweight or obese risk shortening the lives of their babies by as much as 17 years. The researchers analysed information from 743 mothers aged between 17 and 44, and their newborn babies, using samples of blood from their umbilical cords immediately after delivery. Focusing on the length of the babies' telomeres, which are the caps on the end of chromosomes that protect them from damage, the researchers discovered a strong link between the Body Mass Index (BMI) of mothers and the length of their babies' telomeres. Specifically, they found that for every increase in the mother's BMI point above a normal level, the baby's telomeres were approximately 50 base pairs shorter. That's the equivalent of being 1.1 to 1.6 years older. The length of a person's telomeres is used as a good indicator of their biological age as they naturally shorten as people get older. The telomeres of babies whose mothers had a BMI of 40 suggested they were 17 years older biologically, placing them at higher risk of illness and premature death. In a statement accompanying the findings of the research, study co-author Tim Nawrot, a professor of environmental epidemiology at Hasselt University in Belgium, said: "Our results add to the growing body of evidence that high maternal BMI impacts fetal [DNA] programming, which could lead to altered fetal development and later life diseases."
23/06/2016
The government of France is set to invest 670 million euros in setting up 12 bespoke centres for genome sequencing, which will help with the ongoing battle against cancer, diabetes and other rare illnesses. It follows the submission of a report to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Wednesday, in which health experts outlined recommendations for developing "personalised medicine". Recent developments in genome decoding have allowed suitable treatments to be developed for tumours that have resisted previous treatment attempts, and help patients benefit from cures for unusual diseases. Announcing the investment plans, French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said that some of the investment money will come from companies. When the first-ever DNA sequencing was started in 2003, it took over 10 years to complete at a cost of some three billion dollars. Nowadays, though, analyses of the most important of the genome can be completed in just a few days and cost as little as 1,000 euros. Experts say that DNA sequencing can uncover the disposition of individuals to certain complaints and provide insights into how they react to specific medications. The ultimate goal is to allow patients to find more suitable treatments more quickly. Google, Apple and Facebook are just some of the companies that have shown an interest in the sector, and China, the US and the UK have all already made similar investments.
03/06/2015
SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive technique which consists of removing approximately two thirds of the stomach and, in particular, the part containing the cells that secrete the hormone that stimulates appetite (ghrelin). The stomach is reduced to a vertical tube and food passes quickly into the intestine. Appetite is also reduced. This technique does not interfere with the digestion process. Sleeve gastrectomy is sometimes the first step in a biliopancreatic diversion procedure. Expected Weight Loss: Around 45 to 65 % excess weight loss after 2 years, corresponding to a weight loss of approximately 25 to 35 kg. (studies with 2 years follow-up, for a person of average height (1.7 m) with a BMI of 40 kg/m) Mean operating time: 2 hours (Provided there are no complications during the operation). Mean length of hospital stay: 3 to 8 days (Provided there are no complications after the operation). Main complications risks : Ulcers, leakage or stenosis of the remnant stomach. Early postoperative bleeding. Possible nutritional deficiencies (to be monitored). Gastrooesophageal reflux (acids and foods coming back up the oesophagus) and inflammation of the oesophagus.Dilation of the stomach. French health facilities represented by France Surgery are all recognized Surgery Center of Excellence in European obesity surgery by the EAC-BS European Accreditation Council for Bariatric Surgery. CONSIDERING SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY IN FRANCE ? CLICK HERE FOR A FREE QUOTE To find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of the different Bariatric surgical techniques: http://www.laparoscopic-surgeon.com/ www.soffco.fr Société française et francophone de chirurgie de l’obésité www.mangerbouger.fr (French National Nutrition Health Programme) www.has-sante.fr (French Health Authority)
03/06/2015
GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY Gastric Bypass technique is used to reduce the stomach’s size and the food absorption in the digestive tube in order to trigger a significant weight loss. Often described as 'more comfortable' than Lap Band surgery by patients, this surgery is irreversible and implies a lifelong medical follow up and potential vitamins’ intake. The digestive bypass created during surgery leads to food derivation directly to the middle part of the small intestine. This surgery exists since 1990 and is performed on thousands of patients every year in France. We then have significant medical data to access its risk and benefits. GASTRIC BYPASS is conducted under general anaesthetic, usually via laparoscopy. This technique is recommended because it reduces the amount of pain experienced and allows the patient to return to normal activity quickly. In some cases, during the operation it is necessary to open up the abdomen (laparotomy) for safety reasons. The time spent in hospital will vary from 2 to 10 days depending on the type of operation and the general health of the patient. It may be extended. You should plan to have at least 2 weeks off work when you come out of hospital. Expected Weight Loss: Around 70 to 75 % excess weight loss, corresponding to a weight loss of approximately 35 to 40 kg (studies with 20 years follow-up for a person of average height 1.7 m with a BMI of 40 kg/m2). Mean operating time: 1,5 to 3 hours (Provided there are no complications during the operation). Mean length of hospital stay: 4 to 8 days (Provided there are no complications after the operation). Mean complications risk : Surgical complications: ulcers, leakage or stenosis at the junction between the stomach and the intestine, bleeding, occlusion of the intestine. Nutritional deficiencies. Functional complications: hypoglycaemia after meals, dumping syndrome, constipation French healthcare facilities represented by France Surgery are all recognized Surgery Center of Excellence in European obesity surgery by the EAC-BS European Accreditation Council for Bariatric Surgery. CONSIDERING GASTRIC-BYPASS IN FRANCE ? CLICK HERE FOR A FREE QUOTE To find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of the different Bariatric surgical techniques: http://www.laparoscopic-surgeon.com/ www.soffco.fr French Society for Bariatric surgery www.mangerbouger.fr (French National Nutrition Health Programme) www.has-sante.fr (French Health Autority)
26/05/2015
A new study has suggested that obese or very overweight teenagers are at twice the risk of developing bowel cancer in later life than their slimmer peers. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK and adult obesity has long been thought to increase the risk of contracting it. But now a team of researchers in the US have studied the records of some 240,000 men born in the early 1950s, who then went on to undergo a compulsory conscription assessment for the Swedish military in their late teens. The difference between being overweight and obese all depends on a person’s body mass index (BMI). Having a BMI of 30 or more sees someone labelled ‘obese’ but even over 25 is still considered ‘overweight’. All of the individuals were assessed in terms of their weight at the time of their conscription and while 81% were considered of ‘normal’ weight, 1.5% had a BMI of over 25 and 1% over 30. An analysis of their health 35 years later discovered that 885 had been positively diagnosed with bowel cancer. Scientists found that those in the uppermost weight bracket were 2.38 times more likely to develop the condition. While further research is needed, especially in women, the study by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts was published in the journal Gut and its authors said: "Even with these limitations it is important to recognise the unique strengths of this study.” Photo credit: CSIRO
21/04/2015
Childhood obesity is a complicated disease that’s on the rise globally and now affects over twice as many children as it did 30 years ago. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In an attempt to understand how the link between parents and obese children can be used to improve paediatric health, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine studied the responses given by 2,976 questionnaire respondents – 369 of which had children who were heavily overweight. During the study, the researchers uncovered that 31 percent of the parents interviewed were unable to classify their own child’s BMI scale range. This is worrying because it suggests that many parents simply do not acknowledge when their child is overweight and, therefore, are unlikely to do anything about it. The study’s senior author, Dr. Sanjay Kinra - reader in clinical epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine – said: "If parents are unable to accurately classify their own child's weight, they may not be willing or motivated to enact the changes to the child's environment that promote healthy weight maintenance.” Staggeringly, more than one third of American children are either overweight or obese and that’s a problem which will only worsen unless parents start taking measures now. Another of the study’s authors, Professor Russell Viner - an academic paediatrician at the UCL Institute of Child Health – said: "Measures that decrease the gap between parental perceptions of child weight status and obesity scales used by medical professionals may now be needed in order to help parents better understand the health risks associated with overweight and increase uptake of healthier lifestyles.” Photo credit: U.S. News
24/03/2015
French President Francois Hollande had already given his backing for the city of Paris’s 2024 Olympic bid, but the city’s mayor had previously asked for more time to consider the proposal. But now, Anne Hidalgo has given her blessing following the submission of a report by French sports officials. It means that Paris is one step closer to declaring its official candidacy, but the French city’s council still need to vote on the final decision in April; ahead of the International Olympic Committee’s September deadline for submissions. A feasibility study put the cost of hosting the games in Paris at around 6.2 billion euros, but the bid’s backers have said that construction costs would be greatly reduced by the fact that the city already has the Stade de France and the Roland Garros tennis centre. Talking about her decision to back the bid, Hidalgo said: "These very useful exchanges confirmed it makes sense for Paris to bid for this unique sporting event.” Paris last hosted the Summer Olympics way back in 1924 and is still vying for another chance, having lost out to London in 2012. The news is great for the city of Paris and if successful, will serve to boost the French capital’s already booming tourism industry, which many of our patients have experienced during their time with us here at France Surgery.
22/08/2014
As we get older, our bodies need a bit more TLC to ensure we’re fighting fit for the challenges that life throws at us. Therefore, when we reach the age of 40, there are certain medical tests which are recommended and specifically designed to check your vital systems. Also, these tests will inevitably be accompanied by a series of questions, so that a full picture of your health can be produced. Depending on the results, you may be given personalised advice by your medical professional and instructed to make lifestyle changes going forward. In some circumstances, you’ll be offered medical treatment to help maintain or improve your health. There are three simple tests that will help your medical professional determine your ‘heart age’. These are as follows: Cholesterol test We all need a certain amount of cholesterol for our bodies to function but there is strong evidence to suggest that too much cholesterol – particularly bad cholesterol – increases the risk of vascular diseases. A simple blood test is used to measure your cholesterol and you’ll know the result right away. Blood pressure test The higher your blood pressure the harder your heart has to work to pump blood around your body. This can not only weaken you heart but also increase your chances of developing a blocked artery. Your blood pressure is measured using a cuff that fits around your upper arm and is inflated. BMI test Your BMI or body mass index determines whether you are a healthy weight for your height. People with higher BMIs have a higher chance of developing certain conditions such as heart disease, certain cancers and stroke. Diabetes assessment In addition to the three tests above, a diabetes risk assessment is also recommended for people over 40. Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or when the insulin it does produce is not as effective as it should be. Your medical professional will ascertain through questions and the results of your blood pressure and BMI tests whether you are at risk of type 2 diabetes. A simple blood test will then confirm if your blood sugar is too high.
14/08/2014
PART I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT France SURGERY's scope of activities: Linking people living abroad with clinics or hospitals and doctors or surgeons working in France, Linking them with travel agents, airlines, hotels, restaurants, performers, all providers of concierge services Assistance in organizing the trip: administration and logistics. Prior to the signing of these the Clients acknowledge they have been informed that: France SURGERY are neither a clinic nor a hospital and neither does the company intend to practise medicine or provide any medical or paramedical service. All services offered by clinics or hospitals are their own responsibility and that of practitioners attached to them. Health Facilities provide services in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Some of these conditions may limit or exclude all or part of the responsibility of Health Facilities to their clients. In particular, these conditions may exclude any liability for death, injury or medical error. It is the responsibility of the undersigned client to become aware of possible Terms and Conditions of health facilities before committing themselves. Any document produced or any agreement made with the Health Facilities cannot be the responsibility of France SURGERY . France SURGERY is not a travel agent under the provisions of Articles L.212-1 et seq of France’s tourism regulations (Code du Tourisme) and are not intended to be. All services offered and/or services provided by service partners, are the responsibility of the latter. The conditions set forth herein apply only to clients who are non-commercial individuals and to any territory with the exception of France (including Corsica and the DROM-COM, France’s overseas territories). The parties agree that their relations will be exclusively governed by this contract, excluding any condition previously available on the site, except the legal information which will always remain in force and form an indivisible whole with the present. The present Terms of Use were updated on October 31, 2010 TITLE II. - CONVENTIONS ARTICLE 1. - DEFINITIONS 1.1. "Client" means anyone who notes, books, orders and buys a service offered on the site. 1.2."Service" means any service offered on the site. 1.3. "Site" refers to the infrastructure developed by France SURGERY according to computer formats used on the Internet, including data of various types, such as text, sound, still or moving pictures, videos, databases, intended to be visited or seen by the clients to become fully aware of the services offered. 1.4. "Internet" means various networks of servers located in various locations around the world, linked together through communication networks, and communicating using a specific protocol known as TCP/IP. ARTICLE 2. - ORDERS Orders regarding all of the services offered on the site must be placed on-line from the website of the France SURGERY platform An order will be recorded on the site only after clear identification of the client’s login and password. Orders imply that the terms and conditions have been accepted. Any dispute in this respect will come under the framework of a possible exchange and of the guaranties mentioned below. France SURGERY commit themselves to honour the orders received on the site only within the limit of availability of the services and that of their partners. ARTICLE 3. - VALIDITY OF THE ORDER Any Client of the Site who does not hold a client number will have to go through the regular registration procedure in order to obtain one. This number is totally personal. In the event of a loss or if the number is missing, France SURGERY should be informed at short notice. The client should then contact France SURGERY’s customers services and complete the appropriate form provided on the website or call the following number: + 33 953 02 03 09 (€0.49 per minute) In all cases, the online provision of a credit card number followed by the final confirmation of the order will be worth as evidence for the entire order as provided by the Loi du 13 Mars 2000 adapting the law of evidence to Information Technology and dealing with the electronic signature and will cause the sums incurred for the order to become due and payable, in the conditions laid down below under Article 5. This validation is legally valid and considered like a genuine signature and express acceptance of all operations carried out on the site. However, in case of fraudulent use of their credit card, the clients are required, upon the finding of such use, to immediately contact France SURGERY customer services by calling the following phone number: + 33 953 02 03 09 The records stored in France SURGERY computer systems under conditions of reasonable safety, will be considered as evidence of communications, orders and payments between the parties. It is expressly agreed that, except in cases of obvious error made by France SURGERY, the data stored in the information systems of the Company have probative value as to orders placed by the client. Digital or computerized data are valid evidence and, as such, are admissible under the same conditions and with the same evidential value as any document created, received or retained in writing. The filing of orders and invoices is carried out in a reliable and sustainable format in order to correspond to a faithful and sustainable copy in accordance with section 1348 of the Civil Code. ARTICLE 4. - QUOTATIONS - SERVICES 4.1. Customized Quotes Within seven days after registration by the new client, and provided that the file, including the forms to be completed have been regularly and fully filled in, France SURGERY through secure channel will forward a customized quote, which will be accompanied by a comment either during a phone interview or by phone or videoconference. Acceptance of the quotation will remain at the discretion of the clients and their responsibility. In the event that, it would not be possible to establish a custom quote, because of information supplied (including medical ones), the client will be notified within the same period of time. France SURGERY’s mission cannot get started before the quotation has been accepted, dated and signed by the client. 4.2. France SURGERY offers clients the following services: 1 "Medical Care Package" Connecting with the clinic Meeting the client on arrival at the airport or railway station and assistance throughout the stay in hospital Accompanying the client back to airport/ station. 2 "Medical Tourism Package" Connecting with the clinic Meeting the client on arrival at the airport or railway station and assistance throughout the stay in hospital Accompanying the client back to airport/ station. 3 Organization of sightseeing: Hotel, Restaurant and sightseeing Tour Reservations 4 Concierge services on request: "Well being A LA CARTE, make it easy" Babysitters French lessons Cooking Classes Sports club sessions Laundry Footwear repairs Hairdressing Beauty treatments Massages Provision of various everyday life accessories or items (ties, stamps hose/stockings, public transport ticket ...) Restaurant reservations 5 Administrative support services: "France SURGERY Travel Procedures Support" ARTICLE 5. – RATES - PAYMENT - CANCELLATION 5.1. RATES All prices quoted on www.france-surgery.com or in any brochures or Information can be altered at any time without previous warning, particularly when health facilities and/or Service Providers change their price-lists. Prices become final at the signature, by the client, of an agreed estimate defined in consideration of its own specific features. The prices are quoted in euros and include all taxes. They take into account the amount of VAT applicable on the date of the order, but exclude the taxes and fees not expressly referred to. The rate in force on that day will be applied. Any change of VAT rate will be reflected in the price of services. Prices will not be modified once the client’s order has been placed, except in the event the latter would claim services not included in the original estimate. Similarly, if one or more taxes or contributions were to be created or modified, this change might be reflected in the selling price of the services on France SURGERY ‘s website and sales documents. The prices for services ordered on the site along with the date of the order in question are authentic. Prices are guaranteed at the date when the order is placed. 5.2. Terms of Payment Payments can be made: On line when opening an account (registration), by credit card (Carte Bleue, e-cartebleue, Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard, American Express); by bank transfer to pay the full balance of the service. Payments will be made as follows: 40% of the sums due shall be paid to France SURGERY and the clinic at the conclusion of the contract between the parties at the date of "estimate and confirmation’s order's" validation by the client through mail or email confirmation. The remaining 60% of the amount due to France SURGERY and the clinic shall be paid not later than two weeks before the date set for starting the management of the client on the French territory "the date set for starting the management of the client on the French territory," is agreed to be understood as the date on which the client will benefit from France SURGERY's services in the said territory. 5.3. Cancellation Any cancellation by the Client of this contract will lead to the following payments: In the event of cancellation by the client more than 15 days before the date set for the management of the client on French territory, the amount paid when the contract was signed (40% of the total) will remain vested in France SURGERY and clinic. In case of cancellation by the client less than 15 days before the date set for the management of the client on the French territory, the latter shall pay all the amounts due to France SURGERY and clinic under this contract. The clients acknowledge they have been informed that in case of cancellation of their order by France SURGERY particularly because of the inaccuracy or omission of essential information they would not have provided on their health status or condition (particularly when filling the pre-diagnosis form), the current article shall apply. ARTICLE 6. - CONFIDENTIALITY France SURGERY does everything in its power to ensure the confidentiality and security of data transmitted over the web. To this end, the website uses a secure payment module of SSL type (Secure Socket Layer). ARTICLE 7. - PERSONAL DATA France SURGERY agrees to comply with all operative legal provisions relating to medical confidentiality. France SURGERY staff does not have access to the contents of pre-diagnosis questionnaires, nor to those of email correspondence with the clinic or the practitioner or any other document including medical information. The confidentiality of exchanges between the patient, physicians and surgeons is guaranteed through a system of encryption when capturing and storing data. Only solicited doctors or surgeons have access to the medical information on the patient. France SURGERY reserves the right to collect data on the client being understood however that they will remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties. The client is informed that such an Automatic Processing of Personal Data has been declared to the CNIL (the French Data Protection Authority) under the number of HpK0103486y on the 11th November, 2010. Pursuant to the Act of 6 January 1978, the client has a right of access, opposition, rectification of data concerning him, either directly online or by postal mail to France SURGERY, at the following address: 22 rue Saint-Joseph - 31400 TOULOUSE, FRANCE. ARTICLE 8. - LIABILITY Throughout all the stages of the ordering process and during the steps following the conclusion of the contract, France SURGERY has an obligation of means. France SURGERY commits itself to describe the services sold on its site with the greatest accuracy. The information which will be communicated to its client by France SURGERY via www.france-surgery.com, its Internet platform, come from third parties such as health establishments or Service Providers. France SURGERY cannot be held liable for any information item supplied to them by third parties. All information obtained on www.france-surgery.com, or through France SURGERY cannot in any way engage the responsibility of France SURGERY. France SURGERY, via www.france-surgery.com performs the upstream role of a negotiator and compares rates for its international clients. Under no circumstances France SURGERY, via its Internet platform intervenes in the payment of medical benefits; neither can France SURGERY be asked for any refund of sums paid to one or more health facilities or to a practitioner. Similarly, if for some reason, a health care facility or a practitioner fails to fulfill their obligations or fulfil them poorly, it would be the health care facility or practitioner that could be blamed and their the sole responsibility of, excluding all claim or legal action against France SURGERY of any kind. It is the sole responsibility of the client to obtain any permission, passport, visa or other administrative formalities as may be requested by Service Providers or national authorities to be able to complete the trip chosen by the client. France SURGERY accepts no responsibility and provides no guarantee for: Tourist services, Diagnoses, Choice of medical treatment and/or surgical procedures and their appropriateness or not, Implementation of medical treatments and/or surgery, Compliance with medical treatment and/or surgery with the commitments made by health care facilities, Security and prevention, Any other kind of service provided by the Health Facilities, practitioner or any other person associated with them or workers related to health facilities from whom the client would have required services. In no event shall France SURGERY intervene in the choice of the practitioner or health facility, such a choice being under the sole responsibility of the patient, france surgery cannot be liable for such a choice. france surgery is not responsible for any acts, errors, omissions, promise, warranty, negligence, or breach of contractual obligations from health facilities, practitioners or any other person associated with health facilities or service providers, neither is it responsible for any physical injury, death, material damage or any other resulting damage or expenses. The client acknowledges that all medical, surgical or other benefits can provide a risk. Therefore, the client declares that: It has obtained information or has been advised by France SURGERY about the need to seek the advice of an independent and qualified practitioner. France SURGERY has not not given any advice or opinions that a reasonable person can consider as an opinion or advice of a medical nature (including, but not limited to, any risks or side effects related to surgery). Even if France SURGERY may have provided information on Health Establishments, it cannot be held responsible for the service delivery by health facilities or practitioners. The client agrees not to hold France SURGERY, its subsidiaries, officers, members, employees, agents, or representatives, liable for any direct or indirect damage (including, but not limited to, profit losses and/or damage resulting from inconvenience, delay, loss of utility, or physical or mental harm) related to or resulting from the use of information from the www.france-surgery.com website or agreements made or information obtained on www.france-surgery.com, or even not to bring proceedings in liability as he/she acknowledges using these services at his/her own risk. In all cases, France SURGERY shall not be made liable if the breach of its obligations will be attributable to an unforeseeable and insurmountable fact of a third party to the contract or to a force majeure event, as defined by the French case law; neither shall it be for any delay or failure due to a fortuitous event, because of the other party or a third party or external causes such as social conflict , intervention by civil or military authorities, natural disasters, fires, water damage, interruption of telecommunications network or power grid. Similarly, the responsibility of France SURGERY will not be engaged for any inconvenience or damage arising from the use of the Internet, including a break in service, external intrusion or presence of computer viruses. ARTICLE 9. - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY All elements of France SURGERY's website, either visual or audio, including the underlying technology, are protected by copyright, trademarks or patents. They are the exclusive property of France SURGERY. A client possessing a personal Internet site and who, for personal use, wishes to place a direct link to France SURGERY on its website, must first submit prior written authorization to the Company. In all cases, any unauthorized link must be removed on simple request by France SURGERY. ARTICLE 10. – DURATION OF THE CONTRACT The present conditions apply throughout the duration of the contractual relationship between the parties. ARTICLE 11. - GENERAL PROVISIONS 11.1. Entire Contract The parties acknowledge that the present Contract constitutes the entire agreement between them and replaces any offer, arrangement or previous agreement, written or verbal, with the exception of legal notices showing on the site and which are an indivisible whole with the present contract. 11.2. Contract Changes No subsequent document, no modification of the contract regardless of the form will not produce any effect between the parties without taking the form of an addendum signed and dated by them. 11.3. Nullity If any provision of this contract turned out to be invalid under the rule of existing law or a judicial decision having become final, it would be deemed null and void, without invalidating the contract or altering the validity of its other provisions. 11.4. Waiver The fact that either party does not claim the application of any clause in the contract or acquiesces in its breach, either permanently or temporarily, shall not be construed as a waiver by that party to the rights arising for it from that clause. 11.5. Domicile The parties elect domicile at the addresses indicated on the order form for the client and on the address appearing on the site for France SURGERY. 11.6. Applicable law and disputes The present conditions are subject to French law. The competent jurisdiction in the event of a dispute regarding the interpretation or enforcement of this contract will be the court of the location of France SURGERY’s headquarters.
03/07/2014
France Surgery is proud to offer a first class service for analysing test samples and providing results with the greatest of accuracy. We manage this from our ultra-modern laboratory in Southern France working with a highly skilled and experienced multi-disciplinary team medical professionals. Our medical office staff and capable logistics company handle the procedure of collecting, handling and managing sensitive medical packages within strict guidelines and with the highest level of proficiency, so as not to damage the accuracy of the results guaranteed by us. Depending on the analysis, results will be ready between one and five days from receiving the sample in our lab. These results will be submitted via our online secure platform, ensuring all data remains highly confidential and can be accessed only by the patient and consulting doctor. We understand our patients’ changing needs, so continually develop our services to provide trusted and beneficial healthcare to everyone. Contact us today for more information about France Lab.
25/06/2014
And what about French quality standards : The entire healthcare system is regulated by government The majority of specialty activities are submitted to government authorisation, regarding equipment and qualification of medical teams such as for surgery, cancer treatment, interventional cardiology and many others. Regular assessment is operated by French Ministry of Health. The results of physicians practice, procedure numbers, morbidity ,complications are monitored and assessed. All facilities are certified every 3 years by the High Authority of Health – HAS with public access to findings and conclusions. Risk management and quality are a main preoccupation and the proof of this policy is mandatory in the certification process. One of the main concerns about Medical Travel is the control of Health Care associated infection. The French HAS publish annual results and statistics for every hospital in France, data is made public and may be viewed on the French HAS Web Site. All data is validated by European centre for disease prevention and control. Public and private hospitals are of course liability insured for International patients. All physicians need to register with the French Medical Council. Depending on their diplomas and degree course, the French Medical Council authorises the practice of a speciality within strict guidelines. The particular aspect of liability in private practice imply that French doctors have to be a graduate in France, otherwise they cannot obtain insurance against Malpractice. French medical graduation is one of the most famous and is very demanding. The level of training is very high, with at least six years for general medicine, five more years of residency to qualify as a medical specialist and at least 3 more years for a Surgeon. All professionals have a personal professional liability insurance with very high coverage standards. Subscription to this insurance is mandatory to join any hospital or medical team. An essential requirement is made to continuous medical education. France has a very ancient culture of CME to adapt practices to progress and to advance new technologies. So all physicians are really up to date in their technique and practice. State regulation and regional competition have led to very homogeneous standards all over the territory. The same quality of care may be found from Britain to Italian borders. Pluridisciplinary facilities are mainly very modern and fully equipped responding to the highest standards of certification.