World health forum
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Steady progress is being made towards understanding the use of drugs for non-therapeutic purposes. The associated problems are increasingly regarded as having psychological, biological and social dimensions. There is a growing acceptance that the hazardous consumption of alcohol and other drugs can both result from and exacerbate poor socioeconomic conditions. Sustained action to combat drug-related problems is needed on a broad front; there is no panacea.
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The WHO "healthy cities" concept is discussed with particular reference to initiatives taken in Rennes, France. An outline is given of the collaboration between cities, both nationally and internationally, in efforts to achieve the health-for-all goals.
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The principal way of achieving maternal health and safe motherhood is to expand the specific functions and/or categories of midwifery personnel. This includes strengthening knowledge and skills to improve the quality and quantity of care. Success would ensure that for millions of women the prospect of childbirth would be one of joy rather than misery.
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Comparative Study
Good health at a modest price: the fruit of primary care.
Particularly in respect of life expectancy, Norway's historical bias towards primary care has produced similar results to those of Sweden, where hospital treatment has traditionally been more prominent. The per capita cost of health care, however, has been significantly lower in Norway than in Sweden.