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Check FAQAbout Despina
Despina Kouklaki is a seasoned journalist and media professional with a wealth of experience in writing, reporting, and media relations. Currently contributing as a freelancer for www.protagon.gr, Kouklaki has honed her skills in gathering and verifying information, covering breaking news, and crafting compelling feature stories and interviews. Her journalistic career is marked by a deep commitment to exploring a wide array of social issues, with a particular focus on health, children's rights, and humanitarian affairs. Kouklaki's work is distinguished by her ability to multitask and meet deadlines, a testament to her organizational skills and her dedication to the field of journalism. Her knowledge of communication and media theory is both extensive and current, allowing her to provide insightful and informed perspectives on the topics she covers. She has delved into the intricacies of healthcare systems, the challenges posed by various medical conditions, and the personal narratives that accompany them, bringing a compassionate and humanistic approach to her reporting. Her articles have illuminated the complexities of issues such as the economic impact of cancer, with a study forecasting a global cost of $25.2 trillion by 2050, and the particular strain on low- and middle-income countries. Kouklaki has also reported on the resilience of Greek youth during the economic crisis, the phenomenon of Forgotten Baby Syndrome, and the intricacies of intercountry adoptions. Her international coverage extends to stories like the educational pursuits of European students in China and the challenges faced by individuals with rare medical conditions like Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. Through her journalism, Despina Kouklaki continues to provide valuable insights into the intersection of health, policy, and society, highlighting the stories of those impacted by these critical issues.
Greek
English
Portfolio
When Art Becomes Medicine
The concept of cultural prescription, initiated by former Deputy Minister of Culture Nikolaos Giatromanolakis, began under the previous government with a cooperation memorandum signed between the Ministries of Culture and Health in 2021. The program, included in the Recovery Fund with an allocation of 8.2 million euros, is now being implemented. In its pilot phase, cultural bodies in Athens and Thessaloniki will open to mental health service beneficiaries, who will engage with art forms for three months, followed by a three-month waiting or follow-up period. The Research University Institute of Mental Health, Neuroscience, and Precision Medicine 'Kostas Stefanis' (EPISY) will investigate the impact of art on mental health through a special research protocol, with results expected by the end of 2025. The program is unprecedented in Greece and possibly Europe, aiming to measure art's impact on mental health at a national level with real data. Cultural Minister Lina Mendoni and Deputy Minister of Culture Christos Dimas have expressed support for the program, highlighting its potential to change perceptions of mental health and integrate arts into preventive and complementary therapeutic treatments.
Alzheimer's: New treatments are coming, but prevention is still better!
Alzheimer's disease lacks an effective cure, but prevention is possible, with significant progress in this area making scientists optimistic. Neurologist Sokratis G. Papageorgiou from the University of Athens highlights the importance of walking over 5,800 steps per day to reduce dementia risk by 60%. Recent research involving over 70,000 individuals in the UK supports this preventive measure. Despite the complexity of treating Alzheimer's, two drugs targeting amyloid plaques, aducanumab and lecanemab, have been approved in the US, with a third, donanemab, pending approval. These treatments show promise in slowing cognitive decline. However, they are not yet approved in Europe, and their high cost and potential side effects are concerns. The article also discusses the psychological impact of Alzheimer's on patients and the importance of managing the disease's progression.
Will we become America in the health sector?
The article discusses concerns about the European healthcare systems potentially following the American model due to a trend of healthcare professionals moving from public to private sectors. The European Commission and health experts express worries about increasing inequalities and the sustainability of public health systems amidst challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, inflation, and energy crisis. The article highlights the shortage of 1.8 million healthcare workers in Europe and the need for reforms to make public systems more attractive and efficient through technology and AI. It also contrasts the European systems' principles of universality, equality, and efficiency with the US system's high costs and inequalities. In Greece, despite a strong private sector, there is no imminent risk of transitioning to an American-style system, but concerns about uncontrolled private health expenses remain.
British Doctor, Resident of Greece
Angarad Kouroumali, a British doctor living in Greece, continues to work remotely for the UK's National Health Service (NHS), conducting online patient consultations from Athens. Representing a new generation of 'digital nomad doctors,' she utilizes technology to work from anywhere in the world while maintaining her position with the NHS. Kouroumali works for the Hurley Group, which operates in London and offers the eConsult service, a leading provider of online consultations for the NHS. The service includes a symptom checker, self-help information, and medication advice, with patients referred accordingly. Remote work has been approved by the General Medical Council and is not unique to Kouroumali, as the Hurley Group employs doctors living in various countries, all working for the NHS. The digital triage system is reported to improve system efficiency, reduce workload, and expedite patient care. The article also discusses the broader implications and acceptance of telemedicine, particularly during the pandemic.
Why do we take so many drugs?
The prevalence of polypharmacy, defined as the simultaneous use of five or more drugs by the same patient, is a common issue in the developed world, with significant percentages of the population in England, the United States, and Canada taking multiple prescribed medications daily. This practice increases with age and can lead to adverse drug reactions, inappropriate medication use, and even misdiagnosis of diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's. Efforts to combat overprescription include the creation of 'deprescribing networks' by healthcare professionals, initiatives by the National Health Service in England, and the first international conference on the subject in Denmark. The article also discusses the psychological impact of polypharmacy and the challenges in managing drug interactions. Experts suggest measures to counter polypharmacy, such as therapeutic protocols, enhanced education for healthcare professionals, public awareness, and a robust system for controlling non-prescription drug distribution.
The Forgotten Baby Syndrome and how to prevent it
David Diamond, a professor of Psychology, Molecular Pharmacology, and Physiology at the University of South Florida, has been researching for 20 years how a 'normal' parent can forget their child in a car, describing Forgotten Baby Syndrome (FBS) as a neuropsychological disorder that results in a parent temporarily losing awareness of their child's presence. He has studied hundreds of cases where children died or suffered permanent damage after being left in cars, concluding that memory failure can happen to anyone due to a 'battle' between 'habit memory' and 'prospective memory.' Diamond suggests that fatigue, lack of sleep, and stress can increase the likelihood of prospective memory failure. He advocates for technological solutions like applications or sensors to alert the presence of a person in the back seat and proposes safety tips for parents to prevent such tragedies.
The heart attack of 'clean' vessels
Rita Conrad, a 51-year-old from Yucaipa, California, experienced a heart attack despite leading a healthy lifestyle with a vegetarian diet, regular exercise, normal blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, and no family history of heart disease. This incident is an example of a Myocardial Infarction with Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA), which occurs in about 15% of heart attack cases. Professor of Cardiology Giorgos Kochiadakis, president of the Greek Cardiological Society and dean of the Medical School at the University of Crete, explains that MINOCA differs from a 'classic' heart attack as it does not always involve vessel obstruction. The condition can be caused by various factors, including thrombosis without obstruction, arterial spasm, spontaneous arterial wall separation, embolism, or microvascular coronary disease. In Greece, the annual incidence of myocardial infarction is approximately 160 per 100,000 population, with MINOCA expected to occur in about 15-20 cases per 100,000 population annually. Patients with MINOCA tend to have a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile and prognosis compared to those with 'classic' heart attacks, and the condition is more common in women. Diagnosis involves meeting clinical, laboratory, and imaging criteria for myocardial infarction, with no obstructive lesions found during coronary angiography, and ruling out other diseases that could explain the clinical syndrome. Treatment and monitoring are necessary, although MINOCA does not require interventional treatment like angioplasty or bypass since there is no obstruction to restore.
Can we afford the cost of cancer?
Cancer is projected to cost the global economy $25.2 trillion by 2050, with half of this amount pertaining to just five types of cancer. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, included 29 cancer types and 204 countries. Lung cancer will be the most expensive, and along with colorectal, breast, liver cancers, and leukemia, will cost $12 trillion. Simiao Chen, the lead researcher from the University of Heidelberg, and her team calculated future cancer costs considering both direct treatment costs and indirect costs such as loss of productivity. The study found that while three-quarters of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, more than half of the global cost will burden high-income countries, with China and the US at the top. The findings could help in strategizing cancer prevention and early treatment. In Europe, the total cost of cancer exceeds €200 billion, with Greece's annual direct cost over €940 million, accounting for 6.5% of total health expenditure.
Alice in the Land of Neurology: A Rare Syndrome
Nine-year-old Josh from Canberra, Australia, experienced episodes where buildings and objects around him seemed to grow disproportionately large, a condition his mother Sonia Ferth had noticed before. After nearly two years of doctor visits and tests, Josh was diagnosed with Alice In Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS), also known as Todd's Syndrome, first recognized in 1955 by British psychiatrist John Todd. AIWS affects perception, causing various types of visual and sensory distortions. While it does not cause neurological damage, it significantly impacts the patient's quality of life. The American Academy of Neurology notes that AIWS is considered rare, with insufficient epidemiological data available. Common infections in children, such as the flu and Epstein-Barr virus, are frequent causes of AIWS. There is no specific treatment for AIWS; symptoms may resolve when underlying conditions are treated. Researchers, including Professor Jean Dirk Blom from Leiden University, Netherlands, believe that AIWS can provide insights into how the brain interprets the world.
All About the Price of Insulin
Eli Lilly, a leading insulin producer, is reducing its prices in the U.S. market starting May, allowing 7 million American diabetics to access insulin for under $35 a month. This follows government pressure from the Biden Administration to cap insulin pricing at $35 for insured patients. Insulin prices have tripled over the last decade in the U.S., with at least 16% of insulin-dependent Americans reducing usage due to cost. In contrast, European and Greek pricing systems result in much lower costs for insulin. The article also touches on the history of insulin discovery and its impact on diabetes treatment.
The 'birds' of EKAB that save lives
On February 10, 2003, an EKAB helicopter crashed during a mission, resulting in the loss of four crew members. Twenty years later, the EKAB air ambulance service continues to operate, now under the Hellenic Armed Forces' oversight, with improved equipment and aircraft, including donations from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Despite past tragedies, the EKAB teams remain committed to their life-saving work, conducting multiple missions across Greek islands and even participating in international relief efforts, such as in earthquake-stricken Turkey.
Adoptions from Ethiopia are gaining ground
Ethiopia, known as the 'country of children' due to its young population, has become the number one country of origin for children adopted internationally by families in Greece. In the past three years, 36 Greek families have adopted Ethiopian children, and 12 more are awaiting evaluation. The process takes about one to one and a half years and costs around 15,000 euros, covering document translations, legal fees, and travel expenses. Despite the cost and effort, the families do not consider their new family members expensive. The article also touches on the challenges of domestic adoption in Greece, including long waits and bureaucracy, and hints at the issue of illegal adoptions.
Youth undaunted by the crisis
Despite austerity and reduced allowances, Greek youth remain resilient, finding ways to maintain their social habits without sacrificing outings, shopping, or trips. They supplement parental allowances with part-time jobs, share expenses within their friend groups, and prioritize experiences over material possessions. The article highlights the adaptability and communal financial strategies of young Greeks in the face of economic challenges.
The Syndrome of China Affects Students
Kostas Papadopoulos, son of former minister Alekos Papadopoulos, has been studying in Beijing for five months and expresses great satisfaction with his experience. He finds the cost of living significantly lower than in Greece or London, with better professional prospects in China. The article discusses the increasing trend of Greek and European students migrating to China for education, highlighting the competitive advantages such as lower living costs and better job prospects for foreigners who speak English. Kostas, who has already completed a degree in Greece and two postgraduate titles in London, is now aiming to perfect his Chinese language skills at the University of Language and Culture of Beijing.
Volunteer... drug testers
Agapi Katsarou and Chara Kallergi shared their positive experiences participating in clinical trials for a gynecological vaccine in Greece, emphasizing the importance of feeling safe and informed. The article also discusses the challenges of recruiting volunteers for clinical studies, with some participants like Giannis being compensated for their time. The National Organization for Medicines (EOF) faces issues with delays in approving clinical trials due to understaffing. Marios Marselos, a professor of Pharmacology, raised concerns about unchecked studies and potentially toxic products. Greece ranks tenth globally in clinical cancer research, conducted by groups such as the Greek Collaborative Oncology Group and the Greek Oncological Research Group.
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