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The number of people with diabetic retinopathy (DR) has increased with the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus worldwide, especially in developing countries. In recent years, the successful implementation of public health programs in developed countries has been thought to contribute to decreases in blindness from DR. Developing countries, however, have not seen the same improvements, and their public health interventions still face significant challenges. In this review we describe the current state of public health approaches including risk factor control, screening and treatment techniques for DR in developing countries, and suggest recommendations. While the awareness of DR is variable, specific knowledge about DR is low, such that many patients have already experienced vision loss by the time they are screened. Attempts to improve rates of screening, in particular through non-mydriatic cameras and tele-screening, are ongoing and promising, although challenges include collaboration with healthcare systems and technology failures. Laser treatment is the most readily available, with anti-VEGF therapy and vitreo-retinal surgery increasingly sought after and provided. Recommendations include the use of 'targeted mydriasis' for fundus imaging to address high rates of ungradable images, increased communication with diabetes management services to improve patient retention and mobilization of access to DR treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is the third common cause of death in the UK. It is also a leading cause of disability. The recent National Stroke Strategy (Department of Health, 2007) has provided major impetus behind changes in the ways in which stroke is prevented and treated (National Audit Office, 2010). Stroke awareness sits as a significant part of the Strategy, but there are some concerns that the Government's centrepiece campaign to increase public knowledge is not reaching some of the most vulnerable sections of our population, people from black and minority ethnic communities, despite clear evidence of increased risk among some ethnic communities. This paper describes some of the literature, mainly from the United States, which can help nurses working in community settings consider strategies for raising awareness about both stroke knowledge and risk. The paper points to three important themes: initial and prolonged engagement with local communities; self-management and cultural sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]