In the days after Hurricane Fiona, Dr. Brenda Rivera-García sat at home without electricity, water and Wi-Fi in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was stuck listening to the hum of generators powering households across the neighborhood, drowning out the cheerful coquis that chirp throughout the night. The sad hum, the droning "lullaby," mirrored the island's collective grief, Rivera-García … [Read more...]
Dementia cases to triple by 2050 globally
Dementia cases worldwide are expected to triple by 2050, amounting to an increase of 6.8 million cases. The number of people estimated to have dementia by that point will surpass 152 million, with the higher prevalence of cases driven by anticipated trends in smoking, high body mass index, and high blood sugar, according to a new study presented by the Alzheimer’s Association and researchers in … [Read more...]
The intersection of COVID-19 and mental health
[Reprinted: The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 10-8-2020] On Oct 6, 2020, WHO published the results of a survey of the impact of COVID-19 on mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) services in 130 WHO Member States, ahead of World Mental Health Day on Oct 10. The survey revealed that most countries are experiencing some disruption to MNS services, with the greatest impact on community-based … [Read more...]