OBJECTIVE: To discuss the various factors contributory to maritime disaster preparedness in the Philippines, in the context of the sinking of the MV Dona Paz and formulate recommendations to address these factors.

METHOD: Review of the state of maritime preparedness in the pre-disaster setting and the post-disaster response following the sinking of the MV Dona Paz by the government and responsible agencies. A scrutiny of the state of preparedness of concerned agencies and subsequent response to the disaster was conducted with the objective of formulating recommendations which may lead to prevention and mitigate loss of lives.

RESULTS: Multiple factors accounted for the occurrence of this tragedy. These factors include an inherent risk due to the geography of shipping industry and its labor force. Economic conditions prevent both the industry and government agencies from upgrading vessels and communications equipment. Lack of enforcement of existing regulations allows vessels to sail overloaded and at times manned by less-than-qualified crew. Delayed response and deficient post-disaster medical response may have led to a disproportionately high mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: The systems inadequacies of the Philippine maritime disaster response mechanism are highlighted by the Dona Paz tragedy. Many of the factors contributing to the disproportionately high incidence of maritime disasters in the Philippines and the resulting loss of limb may be preventable. Recommendations on regulation and enforcement, disaster preparedness, search and rescue, and medical response are discussed.

Incidence ; Philippines ; Glucosamine ; Disasters ; Government Agencies ; Government ; Men ; Geography ; Employment

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the various factors contributory to the fatalities that resulted from the sinking of the MV Dona Paz.

METHODS: Review of the pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster events surrounding the sinking of the MV Dona Paz, as well as the subsequent response by the government and responsible agencies to the disaster.

RESULTS: The Sinking of the MV Dona Paz, along with the loss of more than 4,000 precious lives, is but a footnote in the long litany of misfortunes plaguing the Philippine maritime industry. A closer look into the events and circumstances leading to this tragedy demonstrates a confluence of equipment and system inadequacy on one hand and human error and lack of preparedness on the other.

CONCLUSION: Multiple factors account for the occurence of this tragedy, along with other maritime disaster incidents dotting the long maritime history of the Philippines. A cursory analysis of these factors may lead to recommendations that can prevent similar occurrences in the future and mitigate damage to property and loss of life. The policy implications of these findings are discussed in a subsequent paper.

Philippines ; Glucosamine ; Disasters ; Government ; Policy ; Organizations

The vagus nerve innervates most visceral organs.Upon activation,vagal efferents release acetylcholine,which influences organ function.In addition,vagal afferents convey information regarding the mechanical and chemical environment of the organ to the central nervous system (CNS).This bidirectional communication provides a mechanism for reflex regulation of the biological function of the organ.In the lung,the vagus nerve modulates airway tone,perfusion and secretion,in addition to its effects on breathing pattern.Recently,the vagus nerve has been recognized to play a role in the pathogenesis of lung disease via neuro-immune interactions.The vagus nerve has significant influences in pulmonary diseases,such as asthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.In disease,the nerve is activated by cytokines,chemokines,and other mediators from many cell types to convey immunologic information to the CNS,which may alter disease outcome.Activation of the vagus nerve also releases neuropeptides to modulate immune cell behavior and can evoke the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway that regulates lung inflammation.Understanding the role of the vagus nerve in neuro-immune interaction may contribute significantly to the clinical management of pulmonary diseases.

This study aimed to identify risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Korea, a rapidly changing country. Data of 5,132 adults aged 20-85 were used from the 2001 Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to identify risk factors for T2D. Three models were specified: (i) socioeconomic and demographic factors (model 1: age, gender, education, poverty income ratio, employment), (ii) behavioral risk factors and covariates (model 2: obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary quality, family history of T2D, co-morbidity) and (iii) socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors (model 3). The prevalence of T2D was 7.4%. Less education (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.84), age (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.56-3.08 in 40-59 yrs, OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.76-5.95 in 60 yrs + comparing to 20-39 yrs) and abdominal obesity (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.79-2.82) were risk factors for T2D even after controlling for other factors simultaneously. There was a significant association of T2D with ever smoking (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.67). The relationship of age with T2D was modified by gender in model 1 and the relationship of smoking with T2D was modified by obesity in model 2. Less educated, older, obese or ever smokers were more likely to have T2D. Gender mediated the relationship of age, and obesity mediated the relationship of smoking, with T2D. Intervention programs for T2D in Korea should take the interactions among risk factors into account.
Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Demography ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Poverty ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

Until now, South Korea does not have either fortification or enrichment program as intervention tools, although the addition of micronutrients to foods is for the most part not regulated. The aim of this study was to determine which scenario would most effectively reduce the proportion of the population with low iron intake while not putting other population groups at risk of excessive intakes. In order to investigate potential dietary consequences of iron fortification, we analyzed 2 day dietary record data (n=3,955) from the 2001 National Nutrition Surveys. The Proportion of the population consuming dietary iron less than the estimated average requirement (EAR) ranged from 12.4~87.5% depending upon gender and age group. Iron fortification at the level of 100% of Recommended Intake (RI) per 100g to breads and instant or dried noodles was estimated to result in a 15% decrease of proportion of those with iron less than EAR, while putting 1.4 % of the population greater than the Upper Limit (UL). Iron fortification appeared to be the most effective for the 15~19 year old age group, showing 39% reduction of iron intake insufficiency. The results suggest that carefully designed fortification or enrichment to staple foods may contribute to increase dietary iron intakes of Koreans, especially for the young population with a high prevalence of iron inadequacy. As the estimation in this study was based solely upon dietary intake data, iron intake from supplements should be considered in further studies.
Bread ; Edible Grain* ; Diet Records ; Ear ; Food Supply* ; Humans ; Iron* ; Iron, Dietary ; Korea* ; Micronutrients ; Nutrition Surveys ; Population Groups ; Prevalence