Implementing Aging and Health Research in India
The aging population phenomenon is observed in several developed and developing countries, for example, Canada and India. The growth in the proportion of older adults has been attributed to the increase in life expectancy and the decrease in mortality and birth rates. These demographic transitions have taken place for over 100 years in developed countries, but within a short span of only 35 years in developing countries. In developing countries, there is a lack of promotion of population-based healthy aging. Dr. Sabu Aliyar from the Centre for Development Studies in India is teaming up with mentor Dr. Shanthi Johnson at Acadia University to implement long-term aging and health research collaboration in India. In particular, they will be examining health status and healthy life expectancy as well as multidisciplinary approaches to the prevention of falls and health promotion among the elderly both in community-based and long-term care settings in Canada and India.
Reducing the global burden of stroke
Stroke is a major public health problem that contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. It is the third leading cause of death (two-thirds of which occurs in developing countries) and the leading cause of adult disability. Conventional and emerging risk factors for stroke have only been identified for developed countries of the West. Dr. Denis Xavier from St. John's Medical College in Bangalore, India, is conducting a case-control study of 1,600 cases [patients with stroke] and 1,600 controls [subjects without stroke, but who are of the same sex and similar in age to the patient] in seven countries [Argentina, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, India and South Africa] and from five different ethnic groups. Drs. Sonia Anand and Philip Devereaux, at McMaster University are helping him in this study.
Identifying biomarkers for early detection of organ damage by hypertension and diabetes
Hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and chronic renal failure are significant diseases in Kerala (India). The prevalence of hypertension/diabetes in this region is already one of the highest in India. The major cause of mortality and morbidity in these two diseases are due to the target organ damages leading to development of nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy. Dr. Biju George from Health Action by People (India) is collaborating with mentor Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti at The University of Western Ontario to identify diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of organ damage in individuals with diabetes.
