Kidney racket in India uncovered

Indian police have uncovered a group trafficking human kidneys in a prominent private hospital in Delhi. Ten arrests have been made so far, including two surgeons’ assistants and the ringleader of the organization. The group “has been operating for the last one-and-a-half years in Delhi and Kolkata” (McKirdy and Pokharel, 2016). Poor people were lured from all over India to give up their kidneys for a small fee. The suspects then sold the organs for up to $7,500 (BBC News, 2016). According to Mandeep Randhawa, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Southeast Delhi, it is unknown exactly how many kidneys were traded and how much money changed hands, although the police have been able to confirm five cases occurring in a period of four to five months (McKirdy and Pokharel, 2016).

Apollo Hospital, where the trafficking allegedly took place, denies any involvement in the operation. A hospital spokesperson described Apollo as “a victim of a well-orchestrated operation to cheat patients and the hospital” (BBC News, 2016). Nonetheless, police are investigating transplant committee members at the hospital “as all institutions in India are required to have a committee approve kidney transplants” (McKirdy and Pokharel, 2016). The hospital suggests that forged documents were used to pass stringent procedures. The hospital has given their full cooperation to the police as they continue in their investigation, and police are also monitoring other hospitals in the area.

McKirdy, E. and Pokharel, S. (2016, June 6). Delhi hospital kidney scam: 5 arrested. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/05/asia/india-delhi-hospital-kidney-racket/index.html

McKirdy, E. and Pokharel, S. (2016, June 9). Delhi hospital kidney scam: Ringleader nabbed. CNN. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/09/asia/india-delhi-hospital-kidney-racket/

Kidney racket at top Delhi hospital - BBC News. (2016, June 4). BBC News. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36452439

Obesity Rates for Women Increase as Men Plateau

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a survey conducted through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics that collects data on the prevalences of various diseases. Every two years, a sample of over 5,000 people from 15 different counties are surveyed around the country as a representation of the demographics of the general population. NHANES uses a stratified, multistage sample of non-institutionalized civilian residents and is comprised of an at-home questionnaire and standardized health examination performed by trained individuals (NHANES). The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in 2013-2014 was 40.4% among women and 35.0% among men. For morbid obesity, the rates were 5.5% and 10% for men and women, respectively (JAMA). The overall obesity prevalence showed that while trends in male obesity have somewhat stabilized since 2005, there is a significant, linearly-increasing trend for women (JAMA).

JAMA. (n.d.). Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2526639

NHANES. (2015). Questionnaires, Datasets, and Related Documentation. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes_questionnaires.htm