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Sex Education Programs In Singapore's Schools Should Provide Teens With Objective, Reliable Information, Education Ministry Says
The number of teenagers contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections has increased over the past several years, Singapore"s Education Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Thursday, the Straits Times reports. In 2008, 787 STIs were recorded among teenagers, a more than threefold increase from the 238 cases in 2002. In addition, nine new HIV cases were reported among teenagers in 2007, compared with one in 2002. According to Ng, the figures highlight the need for sex education programs. The programs also are needed because of increases in sexual activity and unintended pregnancies among teens, the Times reports. According to a 2006 Health Promotion Board and education ministry survey of 4,000 students between ages 14 and 19, about 8% reported being sexually active. In addition, less than one-quarter of sexually active teenagers reported using contraception to protect against STIs and unintended pregnancies. Changes in attitudes toward sex -- as well as the increased exposure teens have to information about sex -- only increase the need for schools to provide students with objective and reliable information about sex, according to Ng. He added that sex education programs in schools have changed since the programs were introduced in 2000. He said, "When we started, the key message was abstinence, reflecting the conservative social tone of our Asian society, where liberal values on sex are not espoused," adding, "This is not a negative facet of our society. It is not prudish, regressive or naç¯ve." Ng said that two years ago, the focus of sex education programs changed from abstinence to include information about how to prevent unintended pregnancies and STIs. He said, "In 2007, messages were added -- beyond knowing how to say no -- students were also taught the repercussions of unwanted pregnancies and STIs and HIV and how to prevent them. This is now a key focus of sexuality education, and should continue to be moving forward" (Tan, Straits Times, 5/22).
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Launch Of Fund To Advance Scientific Discoveries Into Clinical Practice, UK
The Department of Health and the Wellcome Trust invited proposals from organisations and research groups seeking to draw on funding from the Health Innovation Challenge Fund to further the development of innovative healthcare products
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American Hospital Association Elects New Trustees To The Board
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has elected seven new members to its Board of Trustees for terms beginning January 1, 2010. The Board of Trustees is the policy-making body of the AHA and has ultimate authority for the governance and management of its direction and finances.
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WHO Calling For Free Spectacles In World Economy Drive

International development agency Sightsavers International supports the World Health Organisation"s (WHO) call for the distribution of low-cost interventions such as spectacles to help boost the global economy which loses billions of dollars each year due to visual impairments. Studies have revealed that blindness contributes to poverty with people who are visually impaired more likely to be income poor and unemployed. In developing countries where the problem is most acute, it can be a challenge for people to get their eyes tested and to buy a pair of glasses. This is often because there are too few optometrists or eye care professionals, not enough equipment and also people simply can"t afford prescription lenses. Not having glasses effectively renders people blind or visually impaired usually with disastrous consequences for their livelihoods, families, schooling and quality of life. In 2008 Sightsavers screened more than two million people in three continents to ascertain if they needed glasses and provided 0.8 million people with spectacles and low vision devices. It also supported the training of 60 more optometrists to ensure more people could be screened in the future. The organisation can provide new glasses for as little as ÷£1.50 per pair. In addition to the 153 million people who are blind or visually impaired because they do not have glasses, a further 18 million people are blind because they are suffering from cataract and haven"t received treatment. The 20 minute operation, which Sightsavers can provide for just ÷£17 is among the most cost-effective of all health interventions, generating increased economic productivity equivalent to 1500 per cent of the cost of the intervention in the first year*. Refractive Error specialist Hasan Minto, Programme Development Advisor at Sightsavers International commented: "The lack of refraction and provision of spectacles in eye care services in under-served communities has significant negative consequences in terms of lost education and employment opportunities. Sightsavers is working on the development of sustainable refractive error and optical services that will benefit such communities." 14 year old Ida from The Gambia has had her life turned around by her new specs. A Sightsavers-supported project enabled her to have her eyes tested and she was given glasses to correct the problems, meaning she could follow her dreams, helping to support her family and community. "I love maths and English and hope to go to university so I can become a school teacher." * The WHO Medium-Term Strategic Plan 2008-2013. p34 Sightsavers International is a registered UK charity (Registered charity numbers 207544 and SC038110) that works in more than 30 developing countries to prevent blindness, restore sight and advocate for social inclusion and equal rights for people who are blind and visually impaired. http://www.sightsavers.org Sightsavers International


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