Get More Done Every Day With Effective Time Management

Do you often feel like you have too much work on your hands and are regularly exhausted at work?Your co-workers have the same amount of work as you, but they seem to fly through it while you have to push your limits just to make the deadlines. However, this does not necessarily mean that you are bad at your job or that you are less talented than your colleagues. If, most of the time, you fail to meet your deadlines and are unable to perform your everyday duties within the time then you are basically having problems in managing your time properly. Time management is the key to success in your professional and personal life.

Tips for effective time management

The better you are at managing your time, the more your output increases. Here are a few simple tips that will help you in managing your time more effectively.

Be Organized

Being organized is of prime importance in managing time properly. In this regard, proper file management and maintenance is of essence. Make sure that all your files are properly labeled and stored in whatever order that suits you best. If you have to spend 5 to 10 minutes looking for the right files every time you need them, you are obviously going to fall behind your schedule. It is always better to keep and maintain your files in the computer as they are easy to access and edit.

Develop your pace

Everyone has a different pace and momentum that works for them. It is always better to work at your natural pace and try to organize your schedule around it so that you can perform all your daily chores without feeling exhausted.

Be prepared

Always be prepared to take notes and record important observations that might help you with your work later on. It might happen that you think of something that can be vital for your work, but you cannot note it down only because you do not have a pen and pad with you. There is a high probability that you might not remember that point later on and waste a lot of time trying to remember what it was.

Set your priorities

You have to be able to organize your tasks in the order of their priority. You cannot take care of all the tasks at the same time, and not all the jobs at hand need to be taken care of at once. It is better to organize the tasks in the order of their priority and then get to them one by one. However, try to make sure that you finish all your daily tasks before the day ends; otherwise, the incomplete work will pile on to the next day and further upset your daily schedule.

Stick to the timetable

Develop a timetable that works for you, and make sure that you stick to the timetable as much as possible. Avoid making room for additional chores since that will only add to your workload and you will end up accomplishing far less than what you had originally hoped for. Also, remember to update the timetable at the end of the day in order to cater to the workload of the next day. If you leave it to the next day, a lot of time will be wasted and will decrease your efficiency.

Avoid interruptions

Constant interruptions delay your work more than anything. Whenever the phone rings, an email arrives or a colleague comes over to talk to you, your concentration breaks and your work suffers. When you get distracted, it is very hard to pick up the pace from where you left it. So, when you start working, make sure that there are minimum interruptions around you. Put off the email alert so that you are not disturbed whenever an email comes in, and let your colleagues know that you are working on an important project and would appreciate minimum distractions. This way you can work at your maximum potential without seeming rude to your co-workers.

Delegate your work

It is important to understand that you cannot take care of all the work by yourself, no matter how talented or efficient you are. You should be able to identify when you need to stop and ask someone for assistance. This not only helps in getting your work done on time but also helps in maintaining the quality of work. If you try to complete all the work yourself, you might be able to meet the deadlines but there are high chances that you might make mistakes, and ultimately, the quality of work will suffer.

Make a checklist

Make sure that you have a checklist of all the tasks that need to be taken care of by the end of the day. Keep the checklist in plain sight, and keep referring to it from time to time to monitor your progress. Again, it is helpful to compile the checklist in accordance with the level of priority of the task at hand. This way, when you start ticking the high priority tasks on the list, your stress level decreases with every task that you accomplish.

One thing at a time

While multitasking is an asset in many instances, it is not so helpful in effective time management. If you concentrate on one task at a time, you have better chances of achieving your goals. The most time effective way is to pick a task from the check list, start working on it and move to the next task only when you have completed the first one. Remember, in a workplace, every task needs your complete attention, and sometime, even a small mistake can lead to trouble.

Time tracking

One of the most important things that matter in effective time management is keeping track of your time. Many times, you get so engrossed in your work that you lose the track of time and might spend too much time on one job, while the others suffer. Make sure that you are aware of the time you spend on one job, by allocating a specific time bracket for that task, and then try to finish it in time.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you in effectively managing your time and will increase your output considerably. Remember, time is of essence, especially in the professional field, so do everything in your power to make the most of it.

Integrating prevention into health care

Due to public health successes, populations are ageing and increasingly, people are living with one or more chronic conditions for decades. This places new, long-term demands on health care systems. Not only are chronic conditions projected to be the leading cause of disability throughout the world by the year 2020; if not successfully prevented and managed, they will become the most expensive problems faced by our health care systems. People with diabetes, for example, generate health care costs that are two to three times those without the condition, and in Latin America the costs of lost production due to diabetes are estimated to be five times the direct health care costs. In this respect, chronic conditions pose a threat to all countries from a health and economic standpoint.

Many costly and disabling conditions - cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases - are linked by common preventable risk factors. Tobacco use, prolonged, unhealthy nutrition, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use are major causes and risk factors for these conditions. Trends in tobacco use will increase in the foreseeable future especially in developing countries. The ongoing nutritional transition expressed through increased consumption of high fat and high salt food products will contribute to the rising burden of heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes. Changes in activity patterns as a consequence of the rise of motorised transport, sedentary leisure time activities such as television watching will lead to physical inactivity in all but the poorest populations. Many diseases can be prevented, yet health care systems do not make the best use of their available resources to support this process. All too often, health care workers fail to seize patient interactions as opportunities to inform patients about health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

CURRENT SYSTEMS OF HEALTH CARE

Many diseases can be prevented, yet health care systems do not make the best use of their available resources to support this process. All too often, health care workers fail to seize patient interactions as opportunities to inform patients about health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

Most current health care systems are based on responding to acute problems, urgent needs of patients, and pressing concerns. Testing, diagnosing, relieving symptoms, and expecting a cure are hallmarks of contemporary health care. While these functions are appropriate for acute and episodic health problems, a notable disparity occurs when applying this model of care to the prevention and management of chronic conditions. Preventive health care is inherently different from health care for acute problems, and in this regard, current health care systems worldwide fall remarkably short.

HOW CAN HEALTH SYSTEMS RESPOND TO THIS CHALLENGE?

Given that many conditions are preventable, every health care interaction should include prevention support. When patients are systematically provided with information and skills to reduce health risks, they are more likely to reduce substance use, to stop using tobacco products, to practice safe sex, to eat healthy foods, and to engage in physical activity. These risk reducing behaviours can dramatically reduce the long-term burden and health care demands of chronic conditions. To promote prevention in health care, awareness raising is crucial to promote a change in thinking and to stimulate the commitment and action of patients and families, health care teams, communities, and policy-makers.

A collaborative management approach at the primary health care level with patients, their families and other health care actors is a must to effectively prevent many major contributors to the burden of disease.

Essential elements for action

• Support a paradigm shift towards integrated, preventive health care
• Promote financing systems and policies that support prevention in health care
• Equip patients with needed information, motivation, and skills in prevention and self-management
• Make prevention an element of every health care interaction

WHO'S RESPONSE

WHO's Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health cluster has created a new framework for assisting countries to reorganize their health care for more effective and efficient prevention and management of chronic conditions. The Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework is centred on the idea that optimal outcomes occur when a health care triad is formed. This triad is a partnership among patients and families, health care teams, and community supporters that functions at its best when each member is informed, motivated, and prepared to manage their health, and communicates and collaborates with the other members of the triad. The triad is influenced and supported by the larger health care organization, the broader community, and the policy environment. When the integration of the components is optimal, the patient and family become active participants in their care, supported by the community and the health care team.

EXAMPLES OF INNOVATION FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The following three case studies demonstrate successful implementation of one or more components of prevention in health care.

Brazil: Establishing preventive health services in low resource communities

Cearà, a poor state in Brazil presents a model of care that may be achievable for other countries in which resources, income, and education levels are limited. In 1987, auxiliary health workers, supervised by trained nurses (one nurse to 30 health workers) and living in local communities, initiated once-monthly home visits to families to provide several essential health services. The programme was successful in improving child health status and vaccinations, prenatal care, and cancer screening in women. It was low cost, too. Salaries for the heath workers were normal wage, few medications were used and no physicians were included. Overall, the programme used a very small portion of the state’s health care budget.

In 1994, the health worker programme integrated into the Family Health Programme that includes physicians and nurses on the team with the health workers. For the first time in Brazil, large scale integrated, preventive health services were in place.

Svitone, EC, Garfield, R, Vasconcelos, MI, & Craveiro, VA Primary health care lessons for the Northeast of Brazil: the Agentes de Saude Program, Pan Am J Public Health 2000;7(5):293-301.

USA: Incorporating prevention into primary care

Kaiser Permanente, a large managed care organization in California, recently reoriented its primary care clinics to better meet the needs of patients, emphasizing the needs of those with chronic conditions. Multidisciplinary teams were created that include physicians, nurses, health educators, psychologists, and physical therapists. These primary care teams link with pharmacy, the telephone advice and appointment centre, chronic conditions management programmes, and specialist clinics creating a totally integrated system of care from outpatient clinics to inpatient hospital care.

Patients are enrolled in the chronic conditions management programs via outreach strategies that identify those with chronic conditions who have not sought primary care, and through physician identification during primary care office visits. Patients receive services from multiple disciplines, based on the intensity of their needs. The diagram depicts the three levels of care. There is an emphasis on prevention, patient education, and self-management. Non-physician team members facilitate group appointments. Biological indices have improved across conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. Screening and prevention services have increased and hospital admission rates have declined.

A recent comparison of Kaiser’s integrated care system with the UK’s National Health System found that although costs per capita in each system were similar, Kaiser’s performance was considerably better in terms of access, treatment, and waiting times. Explanations for Kaiser’s better performance included real integration across all components of health care, treating patients at the most cost-effective level of care, market competition, and advanced information systems.

Feachem GA, Sekhri NK, & White KL. Getting more for their dollar: a comparison of the NHS with California’s Kaiser Permanente. British Medical Journal 2002;324:135-143

India: Integrating non-communicable disease prevention and management

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer are emerging as major public health problems in India. Apart from a rising proportion of older adults, population exposure to risks associated with certain chronic conditions is increasing. Obesity is increasing, physical activity is declining, and tobacco use is a substantial problem in the country.

Although it is commonly believed that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more prevalent in higher income groups, data from India’s 1995-1996 national survey showed that tobacco intake and alcohol misuse are higher in the poorest 20% of the income quintile. As a result, the government of India is anticipating that the prevalence of tobacco-related conditions will increase in lower socio-economic groups in the coming years.

The government has adopted an integrated NCD prevention and management programme. The main components of this programme are:

• Health education for primary and secondary prevention of NCDs through mobilizing community action;
• Development of treatment protocols for education and training of physicians in the prevention and management of NCDs;
• Strengthening/creation of facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of CVD and stroke, and the establishment of referral linkages;
• Promotion of the production of affordable drugs to combat diabetes, hypertension, and myocardial infarction;
• Development and support of institutions for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities;
• Research support for: Multisectoral population-based interventions to reduce risk factors;
• The role of nutrition and lifestyle-related factors;
• The development of cost effective interventions at each level of care.

Planning Commission, India, 2002.

CONCLUSION

• Many of the costly and disabling conditions facing health systems today can be prevented. Additionally, with proper support many of their complications can be averted or delayed.
• Strategies for reducing onset and complications include early detection, increasing physical activity, reducing tobacco use, and limiting prolonged, unhealthy nutrition.
• Through innovation, health care systems can maximize their returns from scarce and seemingly non-existent resources by shifting towards activities that emphasize prevention and delay in complications.
• Small steps are as important as system overhaul. Those who initiate change, large or small, are experiencing benefits today and creating the foundation for success in the future.

For more information contact:

WHO Media centre
Telephone: +41 22 791 2222

CIA Hosts Drink and Dance Party For Pakistani Journalists at US Embassy Islamabad

CIA Public Relations at work? Do you expect this “Pakistani media” would tell you the truth and serves the interests of Islam and Pakistan? If you still believe that then may Allah help you and show you the righteous path before its too late for all of us.

Update: PTV Suspends Two Journalists For Attending US Embassy CIA Party

Shaukat Paracha, Asma Shirazi, Meher Bukhari, Saima Mohsin are some of the names that were in attendance, in a Drink & Dance party hosted by the US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W Patterson.

More photos from the event below:

Video: How Mass Media Control You!

Terrorism: How CIA Incapacitates Pakistan

An Open Letter To The Pakistani Media – How Far Will You Go?

Dr. Mahru Khalid

As I sit in my room writing this, I can hear Indian music playing on the television outside. I know that it is a Pakistani channel,and I can hear snatches of people singing praises of how wonderful Indian music and artists are. It has been going on for the last2 hours and may as well go on for another 2. This is what I have come to expect from my country’s media.

I refuse to go outside and watch that. Because, you see, I’m more intrigued by a news channel telling us how truckloads of Indian ammunition are being discovered by the Pak army in South Waziristan, by someone revealing how the Takfiri TTP are being financed by Indo-American (and other foreign) forces, and how names like Blackwater, Xe, DynaCorp., are raising their ugly heads andinfiltrating into the Pakistani society. Rather than watching Indian movies, I’m more entertained when I go on the internet and readstories of how Mumbai investigator Mr. Hemant Karkare was silenced forever because he could have spilled the beans that Mumbai was an inside job, how the militants who carried out that attack had stayed at a guest house called Nariman House for several days before the attack, and where they were provided food, ammunition, and arms in full knowledge of the Mumbai police, how the 40,000 strong Mumbai police was deliberately kept away from the scene of the shooting, as the terrorists went about their merry way killing people. All this from the pen of a respected Indian writer, Mr. Amaresh Mishra, for me, beats the most smoothly done Indian movieanyday!

I haven’t forgotten 26/11, and its aftermath, when your Indian counterparts didn’t bother to think rationally for a second, and pointed the finger squarely at us, how they threatened people like Adnan Sami Khan to leave or suffer the consequences, how Pakistani contestants were ejected from TV shows. I haven’t forgotten how united the Indian media and people were in their hate, or how vocal the media was with its hate-filled remarks, which were sometimes shocking in their intensity, and all on the basis of mere suspicion. And then, with much regret, I haven’t forgotten the insensitive way you responded to this outburst. Some of you even went as faras to claim that Ajmal Qasab is indeed a Pakistani citizen from Faridkot, a claim that has now been refuted by Qasab himself.

Fake Evidence: Faridkot Residents Protest!

Video: Geo Tv Report on Ajmal Kassab – The Reality

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS: Close Down GEO TV and Everything Will be Fine

And now, a year later, I see my own country bleeding like it has never bled before. I remember the horror of Marriott, the shock of Lahore’s attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, the valour of the Shaheeds of Swat and Waziristan. This nation will never forget the innocent Shaheeds of GHQ, Peshawar, Parade Lane, Moon Market, and so many other places. Our innocent brothers, sisters, sons, daughters were this nation’s wealth, they were a part of its future, and a legacy of its past. We have lost some of our gems, but we will never lose the will to avenge each and every drop of innocent blood.

Now I ask you, Pakistani media, do you not see who is behind all this? Don’t the daily deaths mean anything to you? Do you not seethe huge gaping wound? I want to ask you, how far will you go in this Indian admiration of yours? I see morning shows competing with each other in getting the biggest Indian star on the show. I change the channel and I see a senseless but box-office rich Indian movie being shown. I go further and I see barely clad women dancing in a spot advertising the latest Indian awards. Can you not see anything beyond the mindlessness of Indian entertainment?

Can you see that they are out to destroy us from within, to eat our society up like termites eat wood? I can almost imagine them wringing their hands with contentment at our political and moral degradation, at how they maneuvered things until we were deprived of hosting any cricketing event on our soil. Why don’t you admire the smooth precision with which they accomplished these ugly goals?

Your silence is deafening, your silence on this geo-political war being waged on Pakistan, your silence when Ajmal Qasab said he’s just an Indian being directed in the greatest Indian drama ever played, your silence on the menacing involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in supporting terrorism in Pakistan. Your silence is truly deafening. Instead, you seem smitten by the very forces who want to see Pakistan on its knees.

Will you still go on dancing to their tunes? Will you still go on leading the people of this nation further into fools’ paradise? I just wonder, how far will you go?

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Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke

American Heart Association scientific position
Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified several factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack. Major risk factors are those that medical research has shown significantly increase the risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Contributing risk factors are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but their significance and prevalence haven’t yet been precisely determined.

The American Heart Association has identified several risk factors for coronary heart disease. Some of them can be modified, treated or controlled, and some can’t. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that he or she will develop heart disease. Also, the greater the level of each risk factor, the greater the risk. For example, a person with a total cholesterol of 300 mg/dL has a greater risk than someone with a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL, even though all people with a total cholesterol of 240 or higher are considered high risk.

What are the major uncontrollable risk factors for coronary heart disease?

Increasing age — About 82% of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older.

Male sex (gender) — The lifetime risk of developing CHD after age 40 is 49% for men and 32% for women. The incidence of CHD in women lags behind men by 10 years for total CHD and by 20 years for more serious clinical events such as MI and sudden death.

Heredity (including Race) — Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves. African Americans have more severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and a higher risk of heart disease. Heart disease is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. This is partly due to higher rates of obesity and diabetes. Most people with a strong family history of heart disease have one or more other risk factors. Just as you can't control your age, sex and race, you can't control your family history. Therefore, it's even more important to treat and control any other risk factors you have.

Other major risk factors that can be lowered by modification, treatment or control.

Tobacco smoke — Smokers’ risk of developing CHD is two to four times that of nonsmokers'. Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die and die suddenly (within an hour) than nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking also acts with other risk factors to greatly increase the risk for coronary heart disease. People who smoke cigars or pipes seem to have a higher risk of death from coronary heart disease (and possibly stroke), but their risk isn't as great as cigarette smokers'. Constant exposure to other people's smoke — called environmental tobacco smoke, secondhand smoke or passive smoking — increases the risk of heart disease even for nonsmokers.

High blood cholesterol levels — The risk of coronary heart disease rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other risk factors (such as high blood pressure and tobacco smoke) are present, this risk increases even more. A person's cholesterol level is also affected by age, sex, heredity and diet.

High blood pressure — High blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times.

Physical inactivity — An inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is important in preventing heart and blood vessel disease. Even moderate-intensity physical activities are beneficial if done regularly and long-term. More vigorous activities are associated with more benefits. Physical activity can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure.

Obesity and overweight — People who have excess body fat — especially if a lot of it is in the waist area — are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if they have no other risk factors. Excess weight increases the strain on the heart, raises blood pressure and blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It can also make diabetes more likely to develop. Many obese and overweight people have difficulty losing weight. If you can lose as little as 10 to 20 pounds, you can help lower your heart disease risk.

Diabetes mellitus — Diabetes seriously increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Even when glucose levels are under control, diabetes greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. From two-thirds to three-quarters of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease. If you have diabetes, it's important to work with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes and control any other risk factors you can.

What other factors contribute to heart disease risk?

Stress — Individual response to stress may be a contributing factor. Some scientists have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person’s life, their health behaviors and socioeconomic status. These factors may affect established risk factors. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would.

Sex hormones — These seem to play a role in heart disease. It’s well known that men have more heart attacks than women do before the age of menopause. Several population studies show that the loss of natural estrogen as women age may contribute to a higher risk of heart disease after menopause. If menopause is caused by surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries, the risk of heart attack rises sharply. If menopause occurs naturally, the risk rises more slowly. Hormones also affect blood cholesterol. Female hormones tend to raise HDL ("good") cholesterol and lower total blood cholesterol. Male hormones do the opposite.

Birth control pills — The early forms, with higher doses of estrogen and progestin, increased a woman’s risk of heart disease and stroke, especially in older women who smoked heavily. Newer, lower-dose oral contraceptives carry a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease, except for women who smoke or have high blood pressure. If a woman taking oral contraceptives has other risk factors (and especially if she smokes), her risk of developing blood clots and having a heart attack goes up. It rises even more after age 35. Women with a history of heart disease don't benefit in reducing further heart attacks by taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Excessive alcohol intake — Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. It can contribute to high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, and produce irregular heartbeats. It also contributes to obesity, alcoholism, suicide and accidents. The risk of heart disease in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one drink for women or two drinks for men per day) is lower than in nondrinkers. One drink is defined as 1–1/2 fluid ounces (fl oz) of 80-proof spirits (such as bourbon, Scotch, vodka, gin, etc.), 1 fl oz of 100-proof spirits, 4 fl oz of wine, or 12 fl oz of beer. It’snot recommended that nondrinkers start using alcohol or that drinkers increase their intake.

Stroke risk factors

The American Heart Association has identified several factors that increase the risk of stroke. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that he or she will have a stroke. Some of these you can’t control, such as increasing age, family health history, race and gender. But you can modify, treat or control most risk factors to lower your risk of stroke. Factors resulting from lifestyle or environment can be modified with a healthcare provider's help.

What are the risk factors for stroke?

Increasing age — The chance of having a stroke about doubles for each decade of life after age 55. While stroke is common among the elderly, over 25 percent of people who have strokes are under age 65.

Sex (gender) — Stroke is more common in men than in women. In most age groups, more men than women will have a stroke in a given year. At older ages, the incidence is higher in women than in men. Overall, more women than men die of stroke.

Heredity (family history) and race — The chance of stroke is greater in people who have a family history of stroke. African Americans have a much higher risk of disability and death from a stroke than whites, in part because blacks have high blood pressure and diabetes more often. Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics also have a high risk of stroke.

Prior stroke — The risk of stroke for someone who has already had one is many times that of a person who has not.

High blood pressure — High blood pressure is defined in an adult as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher or taking antihypertensive medicine; or having been told at least twice by a physician or other health professional that one has HBP. It's a major risk factor for stroke. Many people believe the effective treatment of high blood pressure is a key reason for the accelerated decline in the death rates for stroke.

Cigarette smoking — Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for stroke. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system in many ways. Using birth control pills and smoking cigarettes greatly increases stroke risk.

Diabetes mellitus — Diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke and is strongly correlated with high blood pressure. While diabetes is treatable, having it still increases a person’s risk of stroke. People with diabetes often also have high cholesterol and are overweight, increasing their risk even more.

Heart disease — A diseased heart increases the risk of stroke. The percentage of people with a first myocardial infarction who will have a stroke within five years at ages 40–69 is 4 percent of men and 12 percent of women. At age 70 and older, 6 percent of men and 11 percent of women will have a stroke after having a heart attack. Atrial fibrillation (the rapid, uncoordinated quivering of the heart’s upper chambers), in particular, raises the risk for stroke. Heart attack is also the major cause of death among stroke survivors.

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) — TIAs are "mini strokes" that produce stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. They're strong predictors of stroke. Approximately 15% of all strokes are heralded by a TIA.

High red blood cell count — A moderate or marked increase in the red blood cell count is a risk factor for stroke. The reason is that more red blood cells thicken the blood and make clots more likely.

Sickle cell anemia — This genetic disorder mainly affects African-American and Hispanic children. "Sickled" red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs. These cells also tend to stick to blood vessel walls, which can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.

What other factors can affect the risk of stroke?

Socioeconomic factors — There’s some evidence that people of lower income and educational levels have a higher risk for stroke.

Excessive alcohol intake — Excessive drinking (an average of more than one drink per day for women and more than two drinks per day for men) and binge drinking can lead to stroke. It can also raise blood pressure, contribute to obesity, high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, and cause heart failure.

Certain kinds of drug abuse — Intravenous drug abuse carries a high risk of stroke from a cerebral embolism (blood clot in the brain). Cocaine use has been closely related to strokes, heart attacks and a variety of other cardiovascular complications. Some of them have been fatal even in first-time cocaine users.

How are heart disease risk factors related to stroke?

Some risk factors affect the risk of stroke indirectly by increasing the risk of heart disease. These secondary risk factors include:

• High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity or overweight

General Motors: Weight Loss Diet Program

The following diet and health program was developed for employees and dependents of General Motors, Inc. and is intended for their exclusive use. This program was developed in conjunction with a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. It was field tested at the Johns Hopkins Research Centre and was approved for distribution by the Board of Directors, General Motors Corp. at a general meeting on August 15, 1985. General Motors Corp. wholly endorses this program and is making it available to all employees and families. This program will be available at all General Motors Food Service Facilities. It is management's intention to facilitate a wellness and fitness program for everyone.

This program is designed for a target weight loss of 10-17 lbs per week. It will also improve your attitudes and emotions because of its cleansing systematic effects.

The effectiveness of this seven day plan is that the food eaten burn more calories than they give to the body in caloric value.

This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter because you will be lighter by at least 10 lbs. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.

During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol
You must drink 10 glasses of water each day

Day One All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.

Day Two All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.

Day Three A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.

Day Four Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.

Day Five Today is feast day. You will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.

Day Six Beef and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.

Day Seven Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

Tomorrow morning you will be 10-17 lbs. lighter than one week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. You may repeat this program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you are allowed two glasses of white wine in addition to the instructions on the program. You may substitute champagne for white wine. Under no circumstances are you to drink any other alcoholic beverages with the exception of beer which is allowed. Any liquor (bourbon, vodka, rum) is forbidden. Cream drinks are especially forbidden. You may have an occasional cordial such as creme de menthe or schnapps, but you must always limit yourself to two drinks. If you wine, drink only wine that day. If you have beer, drink only beer that day, etc. Alcohol adds empty calories to your diet. However, after the first week it will help your digestion and settle your stomach.

G.M.'S Wonder Soup

The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.

28 oz, Water, 6 Large Onions, 2 Green Peppers, Whole Tomatoes (fresh or canned), 1 Head Cabbage, 1 Bunch Celery, 4 Envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Herbs and Flavouring as desired.

Additional Comments

Vegetables as may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs. No more than one tea spoon of oil.

You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to eat. Not everyone likes cabbage, green peppers, calory etc. This recipe is not inflexible. You may substitute vegetables according to your taste. You may add any vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories even though they are very good for you.

Beverages you may consume while on the program :

1. Water (flavoured with lemon/lime if desired).
2. Club Soda is OK.
3. Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.
4. Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.
5. Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of day seven. No fruit juices before day seven.

How and Why It Works

Day One you are preparing your system for the upcoming programme. Your only source of nutrition is fresh or canned fruits. Fruits are nature's perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety.

Day Two starts with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and provide essential nutrients and fiber.

Day Three eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.

Day Four, bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You're in for a surprise. You probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You will be surprised how easy this day will go.

Day Five, Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fiber. Lots and lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colorless urine today. Your allowance calls for the equivalent of five "quarter ponders". Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six tomatoes.

Day Six is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fiber from vegetables. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today, compared to day one.

Day Seven finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you just gave it.

Role of Insurance in Economy of Pakistan

ECONOMY OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is facing certain serious problems now a days including War on Terror, Electricity Crises, Political Instability & High Inflation. Some growth observed in last few years seems to be disappearing. There are many reasons for this poor economic growth but lack of vision and direction by the political leadership can also be mentioned as one of the main reasons. The growth in GDP was about 5% on average in the last few years which is expected to decline in this year. It has reached to a monetary figure of more than Rs. 3,600 Billion. However, the situation is not too disappointing if brighter side of the picture is seen. This is a country of more than 170 million of people who have great untapped potential. The majority of this population belongs to young age group. The need is only to show the direction and exploit the opportunities.

INSURANCE IN PAKISTAN

Main contributors of the economy of Pakistan are Agriculture, Manufacturing/Industrial Sector and Services Sector. After the creation of Pakistan, Agriculture was the main contributor of economy (more than 50%). Now a day, services sector (such as telecommunications, transportation, advertising, and finance & insurance) has taken this place of agriculture. Finance & Insurance constitute about 17% of the GDP as quoted by State Bank of Pakistan in year 2008. The share of Insurance is negligible (only up to 0.9% of the GDP). This emphasizes that this sector is still the neglected sector of the economy. If we compare this share of insurance in GDP with some of the developed countries, this may be more than 5%. Insurance penetration in Pakistan, which is measured as ratio (in per cent) of premium to GDP, is at the lowest level as compared to other countries across the world. The data shows that insurance penetration in Pakistan (life and non-life) is 0.7 per cent of the GDP on the basis of 2005 gross premium numbers. The important non-life insurance sector showed a penetration of 0.44 per cent which is much lower than even regional countries. Non-life insurance penetration of different countries/regions is presented in the table 1 as below.
TABLE 1
Sr. No
Country
Insurance Penetration
1
PAKISTAN
0.44%
2
SRILANKA
0.77%
3
INDIA
0.65%
4
US
5.14%
5
UK
3.68%
6
EUROPE
3.20%
7
AFRICA
1.48%
8
WORLD AVG
3.43%
9
ASIA AVG
1.79%

Pakistan is also at the lowest side in terms of insurance density. Insurance density is measured as ratio (in per cent) of premium to total population.

Insurance density of non-life insurance in Pakistan is 2.2 percent as compared to world average of 220 per cent. The insurance density of various countries /regions is mentioned in the table 2 as below.
TABLE 2
Sr. No
Country
Insurance Density
1
PAKISTAN
2.2 %
2
INDIA
4 %
3
US
2062 %
4
UK
1318 %
5
EUROPE
580 %
6
AFRICA
13 %
7
WORLD AVERAGE
220 %
8
ASIA AVERAGE
47 %



INSURANCE AROUND THE GLOBE

In 2008, world GDP has expanded by 2.3% in real terms. However, there was slight decline in the global insurance premium. This was observed after year 1980 for the 1st time that so much decline in premium was noticed, about 3.5% decrease in life premium and 0.8% decline in non life premium. However, it is also significant to mention that growth in the insurance premium was more than 6 to 8% in some emerging markets for non life and more than 10% for life insurance as shown in the Figure 1 & Figure 2.




FIGURE 1 & 2


GROWTH OF INSURANCE IN PAKISTAN

As discussed earlier, low penetration and density on one hand paints a dismal picture of the insurance industry in Pakistan and its role in economy but on the other hand show the great potential because of the under growth achieved so far. Following are some of the examples that show us the brighter picture of the situation.

· Awareness of insurance in general has enhanced in the masses due to increased literacy rate and advertising campaigns of different companies in various media.
· The auto insurance sector growth has already improved the non-life insurance penetration in Pakistan in previous few years because for the first time cars are being financed by Banks and leasing companies who enforce insurance on all the leaseholders.
· The introduction of crop insurance & live stock insurance as instructed by the government and initiated by few companies.
· Recently government has also announced the introduction of insurance policies in the trade policy that will add some advantage for the attraction of investors in Pakistan.
· Medical insurance is one of the growing sectors as many of the employers prefer to provide their employees a well managed scheme at the optimum cost.
· Life insurance which was not understood by the masses at sometime is also a very attractive product in the market at the individual level.
· Some insurance regulatory & management bodies are very active these days to create and spread awareness regarding insurance.
· Insurance has been started in some of the top educational institutes as a subject to provide the human resources in this field.
Due to these factors, government is expecting that the gross premium of non-life insurance sector will increase four times to Rs105 billion by the end of 2011. The share of insurance in GDP can also be increased from 0.9 to 2 % in the years to come if some attractive policies are offered to this sector. This shows the scope of Insurance Growth in Pakistan. The insurance industry has grown on the average of about 20% in the last 5 years which is good indicator to measure the growth.

In spite of all the favorable factors for insurance as described above, following are some of the neglected areas in this important sector of economy.

· Many of the insurance products present internationally are not available in Pakistan. This may be due to lack of expertise in these particular fields.
· Foreign investment in this sector is not present. If some internationally renowned companies are allowed and convinced to operate in Pakistan, this will not only bring the investment but also expertise and professionalism in this field.



Reference


· Economic Survey of Pakistan 2008-09
· http://www.swissre.com/
· http://www.wikipedia.org/