WHO publications

World Health • SOth Year, No. 4, July-August 1997 39 WHO publications Publications con be ordered from Distribution and Soles, WHO, 121 1 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Osteoporosis and the risk of fracture The health problems caused by asteaparosis can be serious, though recognition I of this has been surprisingly recent. Even today, many general practitioners are unaware of just how serious the disorder can be among women after the menopause. Even among specialists there is no clear consensus on the criteria for screening or even on the efficacy of treatment methods. The report of a WHO Study Group describes how common osteoporosis is and how it is caused. It evaluates various techniques for measuring bone mass, mineral density, and turnover of bone tissue, and looks at the various factors that con make the disorder better - or worse. The report also discusses the risks and benefits of different types of treatment. Assessment of fracture risk and its application to screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis: Report of a WHO Study Group (ISBN 92 4 120843 OJ is No. 843 in the WHO Technical Report Series. The report costs Sw.fr. 22. -/US $19. 80 (Sw.fr. 15.40 in developing countries}. Preventing blindness through primary health care A round 148 million people are either blind or have significant visual Mimpairment. Most of these people are in developing countries and much of their visual incapacity could have been prevented or can be cured. Strategies for the prevenffon of blindness in naffonal programmes explains how national programmes con prevent blindness and utilize resources efficien~y in doing so. It describes how national programmes can develop and strengthen services for eye health, how they con do this through a primary health care approach, and how they con recruit and train personnel and provide adequate supplies and equipment. This book was first published in 1984. The second edition published this year has been revised to include recent advances in eye health core. Half of the book is devoted to the major diseases and conditions that cause blindness in developing countries-trachoma, vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, cataract, eye damage, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy- and ways of controlling them. There is also a chapter on childhood blindness. Strategies for the prevention o f blindness in national programmes (ISBN 92 4 154492 9} costs Sw fr 28 -/US $25 20 (Sw.fr 19.60 in developing countries) How to recognize and treat malaria Malaria con be cured and prevented, yet it is an enormous health problem in many parts of the world. Often people do not seek treatment early enough, either because they do not realize the danger or because they think they have some other common infection. Malaria: a manual for community health workers shows how the damage done by malaria can be reduced, even with minimal resources. People must be encouraged to seek help immediately if they have a fever; their treatment should be carefully explained to them and, if necessary, supervised. This practical book explains how malaria is transmitted, gives a step-by-step description of the correct treatment for different age groups, and advises on what to do if standard treatment fails. The manual explains simply and with illustrations what community health workers should do to control malaria. Special attention is given to the treatment of malaria in young children and pregnant women. Malaria: a manual for community health workers {ISBN 92 4 154491 OJ costs Sw.fr. 16. -/US $ 14 40 {Sw.fr. 11 . 20 in developing countries). Do you have something to say? If you have commen ts, ideas or suggestions on any o f the topics covered in thi s issue , please w rite to the Ed itor, World Health , World Hea lth Organization, 12 1 1 Geneva 27, Switzerland . Letters should be not more than 250 words in length. Letters will not necessarily be acknowledged. The Editor reserves the righ t to edit material selected for publication. In the next issue Did you enjoy this issue? Why not take out a subscription to World Health and enjoy reading about the world's major health issues six times a year. 1997 subscription prices are listed below. The financing of health care involves a set of policies that have im portan t implications for equity, efficiency and sustainability in the health sector. The September-October 1997 issue of World Health will show approaches that are being tried in different countries th at attempt to conta in costs wi thou t jeopardiz ing the qual ity o f ca re, mobilize resources w hi le protecting access to care and obta in the best possible outcome from health investments. WHO also offers its popular "Health Horizons' subscription, a combined subscription (at a reduced rate) to World Health and the quarterly World Health Forum. Order form D World Health ( 1997 subscription) at Sw. fr . 30.-/US $25.00 D Health Horizons ( 1997 subscription) at Sw. fr . 90.-/US $72.00 D Payment enclosed D Please charge to my credit card D Visa D American Express D Eurocard/ Mastercard/ Access Card number _________ _ Expi,ydate ____ Dateoforder __ _ Signature __________ _ Name ___________ _ Address __________ _ World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales, 12 l l Geneva 27, Switzerland. Printed in Great Britain by GreenShires Print Limited, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Englond.