Novartis Foundation

About: Novartis Foundation is a nonprofit organization based out in Basel, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Leprosy & Population. The organization has 99 authors who have published 85 publications receiving 3993 citations.

Facilitating factors and barriers to the implementation of hypertension prevention programs in Vietnam: lessons learned from the Communities for Healthy Hearts program

Abstract: Background: Non-communicable disease (NCD) is the greatest contributor to premature deaths worldwide, with hypertension at the forefront. There was a need for a new model to help battle the burden of hypertension. In 2016, an innovative service delivery communitybased model was launched in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: “Communities for Healthy Hearts (CH2) program.” This qualitative study's focus is on the facilitators and barriers of the 5 aims of the Program. Methods: We purposively selected 39 key participants, 20 for focus group discussions, and 19 for semi-structured interviews. We employed thematic content analysis and used NVIVO12 for data analysis. Results: Overall, the diverse communication activities, training courses, and general support by key stakeholders were highlighted as the facilitators of the CH2 program. Barriers reported by interviewees were heavy workloads and the lack of financial incentives among the network, poor and inadequate referral services for patients, and the pending application of the digital registry for patient management. Overall, many informants were satisfied with the communication strategies, the increased accessibility of the hard-to-reach groups, the increased knowledge of residents, and early detection of hypertension; however, they expressed their concern about the long-term sustainability of this innovative model and the potential for scale-up. Conclusion: The CH2 program enhanced knowledge about hypertension and its early detection, but challenges remain, such as sustaining the collaborator network of volunteers in the community, and the need for further capacity building in order for it to be integrated and scaled nationally. More attention should be focus on the recruitment process, development of the fully-functional eHypertension.Tracker software to support the referral process prior to scaling-up to ensure the program sustainability. We therefore suggested that the CH2 program should continuously engage stakeholders at all levels to scale-up this model in other provinces in Vietnam. J Glob Health Sci. 2020 Jun;2(1):e11 https://doi.org/10.35500/jghs.2020.2.e11 pISSN 2671-6925·eISSN 2671-6933

How to build a testis

Abstract: The Genetics and Biology of Sex Determination symposium was held by the Novartis Foundation in London, UK on 4 May 2001.

Hypertension among South African children in disadvantaged areas and associations with physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract: Childhood hypertension drives hypertension in later life; hence, assessing blood pressure in children is an important measure to determine current and future cardiovascular health. There is, however, a paucity of childhood blood pressure data, particularly for sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores blood pressure and associations with age, sex, socioeconomic status, physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers. In the 'Disease, Activity and Schoolchildren's Health' (DASH) study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Assessments included blood pressure, accelerometer-measured physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers. The study consisted of 785 children (383 boys, 402 girls, M = 12.4±0.9 years). Overall, 18% of the children were classified as hypertensive, while 20% were either overweight/obese, and almost four out of ten children did not meet global daily physical activity recommendations. Hypertensive children were more likely to be overweight/obese, χ2 (2,785) = 14.42, p < 0.01, but only if they did not meet physical activity recommendations, χ2 (2,295) = 11.93, p < 0.01. Considering the moderating effect which sufficient activity has on the relationship between hypertension and body weight, more emphasis should be placed on early primary health intervention and education strategies.

Hierarchical Modeling of Patient and Physician Determinants of Blood Pressure Outcomes in Hypertensive Patients with and without Diabetes: Pooled Analysis of Six Observational Valsartan Studies with 15,282 Evaluable Patients.

Abstract: We pooled data from 6 valsartan-related studies including 3,658 diabetic and 11,624 nondiabetic patients to evaluate blood pressure (BP) outcomes after approximately 90 days of second- or later-line valsartan treatment Hierarchical linear and logistic regressions were applied to identify determinants of BP outcomes Similar reductions in BP values and similar BP control rates were achieved in both groups after approximately 90 days of therapy The modeling analyses identified several common and different patient- and physician-related determinants of BP outcomes for both groups, many of which are modifiable or clinically manageable Through varying in terms of association and influence between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, patient-related determinants included age, BP at diagnosis of hypertension, risk factors, valsartan regimen, concomitant antihypertensive treatment, and adherence; and physician-related determinants included gender, years in practice, and hypertension management In summary, in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, the use of valsartan-centric treatment regimens in second- or later-line antihypertensive treatment is associated with significant reductions in BP level and improvement in BP control The determinants identified in modeling provide guidance to clinicians in the common and differential management of hypertension in diabetic and nondiabetic patients