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Pharmaceutical industry

Health and Medical News Developments

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study by Statistics Canada has found that low levels of income and education significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Meanwhile, a study on head injuries in athletes suggests a possible link to Lou Gehrig's disease. Additionally, the development of an experimental Alzheimer's drug, semagacestat, has been halted due to its worsening effects on patients, and a report highlights cancer's significant economic impact worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 15-year study by Statistics Canada involving 12,333 participants found that lower-income women were more likely to develop diabetes than those in high-income households, with 7.2% of men and 6.3% of women developing diabetes or dying from the disease by 2008-09.
  • The study found that poverty and low levels of education were independent risk factors for type 2 diabetes in women, separate from other risk factors such as being overweight/obese.
  • A study by Boston University's Dr. Ann McKee found a possible link between head injuries in athletes and Lou Gehrig's disease, with toxic proteins found in the spinal cords of three athletes who suffered head injuries and later died of the disease.
  • The same toxic proteins have been found in the brains of athletes with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with head injuries.
  • The development of an experimental Alzheimer's drug, semagacestat, has been halted by Eli Lilly due to its worsening effects on patients, including a decline in cognition and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
  • The economic toll of cancer worldwide was estimated to be $895 billion in 2008, according to an American Cancer Society report, representing 1.5% of the global gross domestic product.

Statistics:

  • 7.2% of men and 6.3% of women developed diabetes or died from the disease between 1994-95 and 2008-09 (CBC News).
  • 12,333 participants were involved in the 15-year study by Statistics Canada.
  • 3 athletes who suffered head injuries were found to have toxic proteins in their spinal cords, linked to Lou Gehrig's disease (Associated Press).
  • $895 billion was the estimated economic toll of cancer worldwide in 2008 (American Cancer Society).
  • 1.5% of the global gross domestic product was the estimated economic impact of cancer's toll on life and productivity (Associated Press).

Sources:

  • Statistics Canada: "Low Levels of Income, Education Increase Women's Diabetes Risk: Study" (Wednesday, [no date mentioned]).
  • CBC News: "Poverty and education linked to diabetes in women: StatsCan".
  • Associated Press: "Possible link found between head injuries, Lou Gehrig's disease".
  • Boston University: Dr. Ann McKee's study in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology.
  • Eli Lilly and Company: Press release on the halting of semagacestat development.
  • The New York Times: "Eli Lilly halts development of Alzheimer's drug".
  • American Cancer Society: Report on the economic impact of cancer worldwide.

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