Excess weight and obesity represent a growing threat to the health of populations in an increasing number of countries. This report records the conclusions of a major WHO consultation convened to consider the global epidemic of obesity and map out strategies for prevention and control.

Explains the many simple things that community health workers can do to treat malaria prevent new cases and thus help reduce the alarming number of deaths particularly in young children and pregnant women. Practical in its approach the manual concentr

This manual provides expert practical guidelines for the management of severely malnourished children. Addressed to doctors and other senior health workers the manual explains exactly what must be done to save lives achieve successful management and reh

This book provides a collection of ten protocols for conducting rapid health assessments in the immediate aftermath of different types of emergencies. Noting the vital importance of rapid and accurate information in the earliest stage of an emergency the

A collection of 28 monographs covering the quality control and traditional and clinical uses of selected medicinal plants. Plants were selected for inclusion on the basis of their widespread use, particularly in countries that rely heavily on medicinal plants to meet primary health care needs. Monographs are provided for a number of phytomedicines traditionally used to treat such common complaints as diarrhoea, constipation, headache, appetite loss, sleep disorders, fatigue, and mild respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin disorders. Additional medical applications assessed range from the...

Various types of traditional medicine and other medical practices referred to as complementary or alternative medicine are increasingly used in both developing and developed countries. In order to promote safe and appropriate use of these medicines and pr

This book examines the health effects of exposure to bentonite, kaolin, and selected clay minerals. Despite the ubiquitous exposure of the general population to low concentrations of montmorillonite and kaolinite, the main components of bentonite and kaolin respectively, and other clay minerals, no data are available on its effects.

Long-term occupational exposure to bentonite dust may cause structural and functional damage to the lungs, but currently available data do not conclusively establish a dose-response or even a cause-and-effect relationship. Long-term exposure to kaolin...

This book evaluates the risks to human health and the environment posed by arsenic and arsenic compounds. Arsenic is widely distri-buted in the earth's crust and is emitted into the atmosphere by coal-fired power generation plants and volcanic activity. I

Promotion of the Rights of Patients in Europe contains authoritative briefings from members of the drafting group and from leading representatives of various physician, patient and citizens' groups, as well as from the Council of Europe. Patients' rights are placed in the context and perspective of other significant emergent trends and issues: patient education and health education, provider-patient relationships, and social rights and citizen views on health care reforms. The various strategic options for furthering the implementation of patients' rights are formulated, the emphasis...