Alejandro Villaveces’ Post

Things in Canada are bad indeed when we're cited as a cautionary tale in the US. Some people suffer from chronic depression; it's frightening to think that this is an option for them. from the article "Euthanasia is homicide. Such (legal) killings by doctors and nurses now constitute the fifth-leading cause of death north of the 49th Parallel. From a study conducted by Cardus, a Canadian Christian think tank: - The number of Canadians dying prematurely by “medical assistance in dying” (MAiD) has risen thirteenfold since legalization. In 2016, the number of people dying in this way was 1,018. In 2022, the last year for which data are available, the number was 13,241. - MAiD in Canada is the world’s fastest-growing assisted-dying program. - MAiD is now tied with cerebrovascular diseases as the fifth-leading cause of death in Canada. Only deaths from cancer, heart disease, Covid-19, and accidents exceed the number of deaths from MAiD. - Assisted dying was not meant to become a routine way of dying. Court rulings stressed that it be a “stringently limited, carefully monitored system of exceptions.” Then-minister of justice and attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould agreed: “We do not wish to promote premature death as a solution to all medical suffering.” The Canadian Medical Association likewise stated that MAiD was intended for rare situations. - MAiD assessors and providers do not treat it as a last resort. The percentage of MAiD requests that are denied continues to decline (currently it is 3.5 percent). MAiD requests can be assessed and provided in a single day. It was even worse in 2023, with more than 15,000 people lethally injected according to preliminary data. If the same proportion of Americans were euthanized, the total carnage would approach 150,000 each year, or about the population of Savannah. The euthanasia movement intends to normalize lethal injections and assisted suicide as a means of dying, and certainly not just for the terminally ill, but for elderly people, those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental issues, indeed, eventually anyone who wants to die. Canadians demonstrate how darkly seductive that message can be. Good grief, our closest cultural cousins are jumping into the abyss with a smile on their collective face."

Today, on the occasion of Italian National Lilac Bow Day, I'll tell you a story. And let's reflect. In Zambia I saw people suffering from a feeding and eating disorder. And think, even in a man. I couldn't believe it initially, I didn't understand how it was possible that in a country with so many problems linked to poverty, the lack of more specialized healthcare personnel, food insecurity, neonatal mortality, acute and chronic malnutrition and many other things I would ever witnessed the manifestation of forms, even serious ones, of eating disorders. Then I took a bath in cold water to wash myself from prejudice and I reflected on the fact that there are so many biases that sometimes we cannot go beyond the color of the skin, the shape of a body or our "evil" popular beliefs . Much data is not available when it comes to epidemiological investigations and chronic pathologies in LMICs (Low Middle Income Countries) but no one has ever (obviously) been able to say that they are not there. There is also much less information about diabetes, yet that too has a high incidence in this part of the world. Of course the incidence and prevalence are significantly lower but are we so sure that they don't exist? Not anymore, I definitely can't say that. I would add that when you talk about bodies and shapes there are many theories there too. For example, it was explained to me that a fat body is considered by some women to be a "healthier" body. And who can say that this isn't the case? If here we make him drown in shame, there I discovered it is a sign of a woman who is healthy. Being able to take off the glasses we have worn since birth to understand how others observe the world is one of the greatest privileges in this life in my opinion. And today I didn't want to dispense advice but only to make people think that we must stop considering DNA as whims. They can truly inhabit every body, without distinction of any kind. #dna #lilacbow #dca

This Week in Focus: Niger According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2020, there is a lack of research on mental health issues in Niger, leaving much about the topic unknown. The situation is alarming, with a disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate of 322.8 per 100,000 people and an age-standardized suicide mortality rate of 10.15 per 100,000 people. Are you a #mentalhealth expert, #researcher, #epidemiologist, #economist, #psychiatrist, #medical doctor, #policymaker, or individual with #livedexperience? Are you keen on contributing to Niger's mental health initiatives? Register now to the #MentalHealthDataPrizeAfrica 👇 https://lnkd.in/dcMnHVzX #MentalHealthDataPrizeAfrica #MentalHealthInNiger

📣 💡 The DASH project aims to improve adolescent health in the areas of nutrition and physical activity, mental health and violence, and sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa through rigorous population-based intervention and policy research. Read more about our latest activities in this newsletter. 📰 👏 #adolescentshealth #subSaharanAfrica #DASH #nutrition #physicalactivity #mentalhealth #sexualandreproductivehealth

"Euthanasia: Poisons People and Societies" The article you shared highlights the alarming expansion and consequences of legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide. It underscores the slippery slope argument, pointing out how once these practices are normalized, they can lead to increasingly permissive attitudes and practices, such as organ harvesting from euthanasia patients and euthanasia being offered as a solution to social problems. The article also discusses the financial incentives that can drive the proliferation of euthanasia, particularly in socialized healthcare systems like Canada's. Overall, it presents a stark warning about the moral and societal implications of embracing euthanasia as a "medical treatment." Ref. Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Thursday, March 21, 2024 Euthanasia Poisons People and Society The following article was published on March 19, 2024 by The Human Life Review. https://lnkd.in/gS8FnqFY - #EuthanasiaDebate - #EthicalDilemmas - #RighttoDie - #MedicalEthics - #EndofLifeCare - #DignityinDeath - #Bioethics - #EuthanasiaControversy - #HumanRights - #HealthcareChoices

Visual impairments are a significant global health issue, affecting millions of individuals and communities. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 38 million people are blind and 110 million experience visual impairments worldwide. A substantial portion of these conditions is preventable or treatable, yet many continue to suffer due to lack of access to care and awareness. In Pakistan, the situation mirrors these global trends. The leading causes of blindness include cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors, with a notable prevalence of visual impairment at about 39% among the population. Alarmingly, studies show that females are disproportionately affected, with a higher rate of visual impairment compared to males. Genetic factors also play a crucial role in visual impairments. Conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome are hereditary and contribute significantly to vision loss. It is essential to raise awareness about the genetic predispositions that lead to these conditions, as early intervention and genetic counseling can help mitigate risks and inform families about potential hereditary issues. As we strive for a world where everyone has access to sight-saving interventions, let’s prioritize awareness and education about the causes of visual impairments, especially those rooted in genetics. Together, we can make a difference! #VisualHealth #geneticcap #GeneticAwareness #Pakistan #GlobalHealth

In a large study of over 13,000 migraine sufferers, the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) revealed just how devastating chronic migraines can be on relationships. Of those with chronic migraines (more than 15 headache days per month), 78% of people living with a partner, 44% of those not living with a partner, and 37% of singles reported that migraines caused significant relationship problems. These numbers are nearly double that of those with episodic migraines, highlighting just how much chronic migraines can sabotage romantic connections. In my 29+ years of treating migraines, I’ve witnessed firsthand how chronic migraines can destroy romantic relationships. Every year, I hear from new patients who say migraines prevent them from even considering dating because they’re constantly feeling so bad. And often, potential partners just don’t understand the severity of the condition. For those in relationships—many of my patients are married—chronic migraines can lead to a complete breakdown of their sex life. It's heartbreaking to hear stories of marriages falling apart due to the strain migraines place on relationships. Sometimes, the crisis brought on by chronic migraines is so overwhelming that the relationship simply can’t survive. It’s a tragic reality, and it underscores that chronic migraine sufferers don’t just battle physical pain—they also carry an immense emotional burden, especially when their partner doesn't fully grasp the situation. This is why providing clear, easy-to-understand information about migraines, alongside effective and safe treatment options, is so crucial. Understanding the condition is the first step to healing not just the body, but relationships too. How to overcome battle against migraines, check the link below on a comment section. #chronicmigraine #migraineandrelationships #burdenofmigraine

June is #MigraineAwarenessMonth! Looking to learn more about migraines and other headache disorders? Visit the IHS website for in-depth information and resources. 👉https://lnkd.in/ddHDvy3q #migraine #headache

Genital TB is one silent and often overlooked cause of infertility. Genital TB can affect both men and women, leading to significant fertility issues. It is a type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that affects the reproductive organs. It is particularly insidious because it often presents with non-specific symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. Genital TB can cause infertility through several mechanisms like tubal damage (scarring and blockage of fallopian tubes and hydrosalphinx), endometrial damage (endometrial scarring and asherman’s syndrome), ovarian abscesses, hormonal disruption, chronic inflammation and cervical stenosis. Diagnosing genital TB can be challenging due to its non-specific symptoms. Managing genital TB and enhancing reproductive outcomes require increasing knowledge of the disease's effects on fertility as well as prompt diagnosis and treatment. Antitubercular medications are usually taken for an extended period of time as part of treatment. The degree of damage to the reproductive organs largely dictates the prognosis, though early and successful therapy can occasionally restore fertility.

Participation of Down Syndrome database in my country regarding distribution of chromosomal changes in Down Syndrome Children