WeeklySA_AdminINCIDENCE: Lifestyle habits like smoking and diet high in salt, along with other factors such as high blood pressure and high body mass index, increase the risk of stroke…
By WSAM Correspondent
The number of people who died from stroke increased from two million in 1990 to more than three million in 2019 globally, and is expected to increase to nearly five million fatalities by 2030, according to a study released on Wednesday.
The study focused on ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain and is the most common type of stroke. For the study, researchers analysed data from the Global Health Data Exchange from 1990-2019. They found that, as the world population grew, the global number of stroke deaths increased from 2.04 million in 1990 to 3.29 million in 2019. However, the stroke rate decreased from 66 strokes per 100 000 people in 1990 to 44 strokes per 100 000 people in 2019. Still, estimates paint a gloomy scenario, predicting that the overall number of deaths from stroke could reach 6.4 million – if lifestyle risk factors are not controlled or prevented.
Researcher Dr Lize Xiong of Tongji University in Shangai, China, said this increase in the global death toll of ischemic stroke, along with a predicted further increase in the future, was concerning, though ischemic stroke was “highly preventable”.
Results suggested that a combination of lifestyle factors like smoking and a diet high in sodium, along with other factors such as high blood pressure and high body mass index, could lead to an increased risk of stroke. “This decrease in the stroke rate likely means that the overall increase in the number of strokes worldwide is mainly due to population growth and aging,” Xiong said.
Researchers found that seven major risk factors including smoking, a diet high in sodium, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney dysfunction, high blood sugar, and high BMI contributed to the higher number of strokes.
Researchers used the database to predict the number of deaths for 2020-2030. They found that the death toll for stroke was expected to increase further to 4.9 million in 2030. When researchers factored in the risk factors, they predicted that the overall number of deaths from stroke could reach 6.4 million if these risk factors are not controlled or prevented.
“This study provides an insightful perspective on the global burden of ischemic stroke,” said co-researcher Dr Carlos Cantú-Brito, from the Stroke Clinic of the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico City, Mexico.
“It points out many vital factors that should be used for informed policymaking, emphasizing the need for policies and programs to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, low-salt diets, and smoking cessation.”
A limitation of the study was that quality and accuracy of disease data from some countries cannot be guaranteed as many did not have reliable information on strokes. The study was supported by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, Chinese National Key Research and Development Program, and Nature Science Foundation of Shanghai.
*Learn more about stroke at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology’s free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health.
JOE NINA TEAMS UP WITH OLD TIMERS TO PRODUCE A GEM
MISSION: Afro-pop stalwart keeps icons’ heritage alive…
By Gugu Sibiya
Joe Nina is ecstatic that after a few trials and tribulations he’s finally dropped his heritage offering 2020, fulfilling a promise he made himself to honour the legacy of fallen musicians whose music he’s lovingly worked on.
2020 is a cocktail of beautifully crafted cross-genre songs by an array of seasoned luminaries and budding musicians. Boasting tracks like Kodue ea Maseru, a heart-wrenching song recorded by the late singer Steve Kekana after police charged into a festival he was headlining in Lesotho, shot, maimed and killed innocent people. The officers later claimed that they thought they’d stumbled on an illegal rally, something that deeply devastated him.
“Steve and I used lockdown wisely, arranging Kodue – for instance – to have a fresh, contemporary feel that appeals to today’s youth. Another gem is One Africa (Ubuntu), that I recorded with him. We brought on board Bongo Riot, Fana Zulu, BE of Idols fame, Thembi T, Congo’s Joe Dassim, Philani who is living with albinism, is our lead singer although he is from Binos, a choir of youngsters living with albinism, Matshepiso who is a poet and a member of a marimba band.
“At a time when a lot of things are beyond our control, pitting us against one another, we implore Africans to unite, peacefully co-exist and show respect, to avoid being at loggerheads. Let’s focus on those things that bring us together than those that tear us apart,” he says about the growth and positive message in the album.
Ke ho entseng is the late, popular crooner Nana Coyote Motijoana’s single. “I ran into his son Karabo. After a chat on what his dad and I had done on Ke ho entseng, he gave me his blessings. A few tweaks here and there, here we are with our duet.”
Chomping at the beat, Nina enthuses about another collabo he pulled off. “Professor and I were sweating it out in the studio to enhance his My Love song to its finest melody, when he impulsively roped producer Sizwe Zakwe in. He was to add a touch of sensitivity and it worked like a charm” he says.
“When I decided to bring in a live trumpet to add pizzaz to one of my favourite songs, I turned to MiCasa’s Mo-T. Predictably he weaved his magic to Ding Dong Reloaded,” says a visibly blown-away Nina, showering praises on the gifted muso he mentored when he came into the thorny industry.
Another exciting addition to the mix is Motswako legend Tuks Senganga. He doesn’t come empty-handed when he shows up for the offering teeming with talent.
“Tuks and I speak from time to time, and when I listened to our piece You and I, I just knew he had to come on board 2020. His fans are going to love this.”
Lamenting how icons like Babsy Mlangeni are pushed to the backburner, a concerned Nina says, ‘‘When I heard that Babsy celebrated 80 years in February, I was happy since it’s hastened our long-envisaged project. I penned Kumnandi with its kwaito and a sprinkling of amapiano. We have an Afropop version of it and it’s getting good vibes. It’s Babsy at his vintage best. We’re now working on his upcoming album.
“It’s right up my alley, keeping alive the legacy of heroes who paved the way for us to be where we are. Sadly, they barely survived on their blood, sweat and tears. They are an important part of this country ’s heritage and inspiration. If it was up to me, we’d dedicate a year to celebrate Babsy while he’s still alive,” the KwaThema-born Nina says with a tinge of sentimentality.
Kekana and the prolific composer come out smoking in Bambelela in the great company of Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir and Soweto String Quartet. ‘‘What an amazing collabo, we had fun working on that and I hope it resonate with a lot of music lovers”.
Pregnant with love songs and experiences of the exponents of the project, the album is a conversation of different generations bound together by their love for self- expression they find in the communion of music and their desire to pay homage to path finders.
“What can we do without love?” Nina asks rhetorically. “We are nothing without it. It keeps us sane and focused on the good than the selfish and cruel practices that dehumanises us,” he states.
The recipient of the SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award caught the music bug at an early age. “My parents who were artists, owned a band. Dad was a guitarist and trumpeter, while mom was on backing vocals. Following in their footsteps was inevitable. Inheriting most of their artist friends like Steve, stoked the artistic fire. On the upside, they taught me a lot about showbiz,” says the laidback muso credited with being one of the founding fathers of kwaito music.
An intelligent muso who produced industry head honchos who are also friends like Mlangeni, Kekana, Tshepo Tshola, Ray Phiri, Stompie Mavi, among others. These big names trusted him, having himself penned a couple of message-laden, chart-bursting, infectitious hits like Maria Bodesta, Nomthandazo, Malume, Ding Dong
And Nina got noticed, finding himself thrusted head and shoulders above his peers.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of putting together 2020. The cross-pollination of ideas between young and seasoned artists has been incredible, necessary in instilling mutual respect. Let’s teach our youth about industry greats like Kori Moraba, Margaret Singana, Stompie Mavi, Zim Nqawana, to name a few.
