Does happiness matter to health system efficiency? A performance analysis.

Background: The main objective of this study is to assess the performance of the global health system, emphasising the contribution of people's happiness to health system efficiency across countries. Technical efficiency (TE) scores are estimated using the output-oriented variable returns to scale (VRS) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model based on the input measures: health expenditure, labour, hospital beds and education, and the output measures: healthy life expectancy and inverse mortality index. The efficiency scores are regressed against three explanatory variables: happiness index, population density, and healthcare share of gross domestic product (GDP).

Design of a randomised intervention study: the effect of dumbbell exercise therapy on physical activity and quality of life among breast cancer survivors in Malaysia.

Background: Participation in physical activity has a positive impact on the overall health and quality of life, whereas physical inactivity is associated with a poor prognosis among breast cancer survivors. Despite the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity, the majority of Malaysian breast cancer survivors are not physically active. This paper presents the design of a randomised study to evaluate the feasibility and effect of exercise therapy intervention using light resistance dumbbell exercise to promote active lifestyle and improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors in Malaysia.

Lifetime Physical Activity and Breast Cancer: a Case-Control Study in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Background: Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality and is associated with increased breast cancer diagnosis and recurrence.

Purpose: To examine the association between adult lifetime physical activity and breast cancer risk in a case-control analysis.

Materials And Methods: This study involved 122 cases of breast cancer and 121 controls in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia.