This study presents the first estimate of the worldwide burden of disease and premature death attributable to exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) during 2004 through a retrospective analysis of data from 192 countries. The resulting burden of disease is measured as number of deaths and loss of diability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for children and adult non-smokers.

A cluster-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken in 7 districts of the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana to assess the effect of weekly, low dose vitamin A supplementation in women of reproductive age on pregnancy-related mortality, all-cause female mortality and survival of their babies.

Probiotics are widely used in promoting human health and adjunctive therapy of human disease. Many clinical trials and research studies have shown benefits of probiotics. We review the literature associated with the clinical applications of probiotics in paediatric diseases.

School-based health programmes are widely used to improve the health and nutrition of schoolchildren in developed countries. However, little effort has been made in developing countries to provide preventive and promotive school health programmes in rural areas, while in urban areas the focus is on a curative approach for health problems.

Perhaps one of the most important signs that a country has effectively responded to its governance issues is in the management of its healthcare challenges. Healthcare presents a particularly complex situation for governments, one that is not easy for developing nations to tackle. Healthcare goals cannot be reached through funding and budgets alone. Rather, they require a coordinated effort from both the government and a network of service providers; they require programmes and policies that connect with individuals throughout their lives, from birth to death. (Editorial)

Surveillance and monitoring do not evoke much enthusiasm among doctors. Perhaps we have forgotten what these terms mean and their true purpose. Surveillance is the continuous collection, analysis, interpretation, dissemination and feedback of health related data, and is essential for guiding prevention and control activities for any disease. (Editorial)

Projections of the incidence of cancer serve several purposes. These range from making investment decisions on cancer treatment facilities and planning manpower requirements, to formulation and evaluation of policies for control of cancer. Different statistical methods can be used for such projections. In recent years, these have been translated to user-friendly software application modules. (Editorial)

With growing urbanization and economic development, there is a rapid increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in India. T2DM is associated with 2-4 times higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

India is a welfare state in which the government has a responsibility to ensure than citizens have access to healthcare. We are also a federal state, with multiple levels of government, each with its own responsibility. The sixth item in the Constitution of India vests responsibility for 'Public Health and sanitation, hospitals and dispensaries' on the state governments. (Editorial)

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and study the associated factors in a rural population in Goa, India.