Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace

OMRON, a global leader in automation technology and home healthcare product, recently unveiled its new campaign,‘ HealthinUrHands’ to raise awareness on the importance of preventing and managing hypertension through consistent and regular blood pressure monitoring at home.

In Malaysia, hypertension is ranked as the second most significant risk to death with two thirds of the cases remain undiagnosed. Every year, an estimated 40,000 Malaysians suffer from stroke including senior citizens, adults and children, putting everyone at equal risk.

Speaking of the importance and significance of regular blood pressure monitoring, Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur Cardiology specialist Dr Azani Mohamed Daud shared that regular home monitoring is an easy step towards improving health for both patients and non-patients as many cases of hypertension are often undiagnosed, which can be done easily with blood pressure monitoring device.

According to him, the clinical guidelines to properly perform home blood pressure monitoring include:

• A minimum measurement for three days and ideally seven days should be performed.

• Should be done at about the same time once in the morning and evening.

• Morning before medicine intake if treated and evening before meal readings should be taken with two measurements per occasion- one to two minutes apart.

• The results must be immediately recorded in a specific logbook or stored in device memory.

Astellas Oncology C3 prize returns

ASTELLAS Pharma Incorporated recently announced the launch of the third annual Astellas Oncology C3 prize( Changing Cancer Care).

Astellas Oncology Business Unit senior vice president, Mark Reisenauer pointed out that given the increasing cancer rates in low and middle income countries, and the limited tools and resources available in these regions, this year’ s C3 prize is focused on discovering innovative approaches to help narrow the global disparity in cancer care.

In conjunction with this award, patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals are invited to propose ideas that address specific challenges encountered in low and middle income countries within the following three categories: support tools, educational tools and technology.

Three category winners will present their ideas to a live panel of judges at the 2018 World Cancer Congress on October 3, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Union for International Cancer Control( UICC).

More information about the awards and submission criteria can be found at: www. C3Prize. com

Autism Initiatives Malaysia( AIM) organises inaugural symposium

IM set up by a network of

A individuals with autism spectrum condition hosted its first two-day symposium recently to address challenges faced by individuals and how they could achieve financial independence and contribute to the society.

Titled,“ Transitioning to further education and employment”, the symposium was officiated by the Member of Parliament of Rembau Khairy Jamaluddin.

In Malaysia, based on the research conducted by the Ministry of Health, one out of 625 children are in the autism spectrum. However, with the proper provision of care, intervention services and a conducive learning environment, individuals with autism with their strong intellectual capabilities are able to achieve their full potential and succeed in the workplace. According to the United States of America Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 62 per cent of autistic individuals have average and IQ above 70.

“ In Malaysia, there are not enough epidemiological studies on autism spectrum prevalence, nor is there much official data specifically about what happens to the young adults, who if neurotypical, move on to tertiary education, training or enter the workforce.”

“ So we look at the US as an example of data. Many of you are likely familiar with how autism occurs in one out of 68 individuals and you may also know that studies have shown that the unemployment rate endured by adults on the spectrum is more than 80 per cent, a staggering number including those who have seen success in their formal schooling years,” said Khairy.

“ In Malaysia, we have made progress in education for autistic children at public as well as private schools,

( Left) Khairy with GRASP executive director Michael J. Carley.

Herbalife mobilises breakfast troopers in 185 locations

Troopers prep their kiosk as they get ready to inform.

“ So it’ s not the IQ, but due to their difficulties in social communication in typical settings and needing to conform to a‘ standard’ educational system, individuals on the spectrum miss out.”

especially for early years and the primary level. With 62 per cent of autistic individuals having an average IQ above 70— let’ s assume

Malaysia is not too different.”

Khairy later urged ministries like the Ministry of Health, the Welfare Department and Ministry of Human Resource to come together in a collaborative effort in data collection because such data will go a long way to aid in the research and studies on autism in the country.

Herbalife Nutrition recently mobilised 1,134 people to serve as Herbalife Nutrition breakfast troopers at 185 locations across Malaysia to promote the concept of healthy breakfast.

Each location saw the troopers reaching out to members of the public, giving them tips and pointers on the importance of eating a healthy breakfast. The crowd was also informed of the types of

The HEALTH : August 2018 | Page 4

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