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Deepening Economic Ties? The Future of Africa-UK Trade and Investment

Corporate Members Event

25 February 2020 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE

Event participants

Raj Kulasingam, Senior Counsel, Dentons

Megan McDonald, Head of Investment Banking (International), Standard Bank Group

Chair: Dr Alex Vines OBE, Managing Director, Ethics, Risk & Resilience; Director, Africa Programme, Chatham House

Theresa May’s announcement in 2018 on the UK’s ambition to become the G7’s largest investor in Africa by 2022 has been followed by similar stated ambitions at the recent UK-Africa Investment Summit, which saw the attendance of 16 African heads of states. Such ambitions mirror overtures from various international players including a call for a ‘comprehensive strategy for Africa’ by the EU in 2019. While the UK’s recent expansion of its diplomatic networks in Africa and the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique appear promising, there are significant challenges to deepening partnerships including visa restrictions and complex business environments.
 
At this event, the panellists will assess the future of trade and investment relations between the UK and Africa. Amid a proliferation of new trading partners including Asia’s emerging economies, Russia and the Gulf states, what are the points of change and continuity in the long-standing relationship between Africa and the UK? And what are the challenges and opportunities facing governments and businesses in Africa and the UK in efforts to build long-lasting economic ties?
 
This event will be followed by a drinks reception.

This event is open to Chatham House Corporate Members and corporate contacts of Chatham House's Africa Programme only.

Not a member? Find out moreFor further information on the different types of Chatham House events, visit Our Events Explained.

 

 

Members Events Team




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Emergency departments must not return to pre-covid days of overcrowding and lack of safety, says college




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Noncitizens in the U.S. Military: Navigating National Security Concerns and Recruitment Needs

Noncitizens have long served in the U.S. military, often encouraged by the promise of a fast track to U.S. citizenship. In recent years, however, Congress and the Defense Department have made it more difficult for noncitizens to enlist. This brief give context to these policy changes and explores ways the military could better balance concerns about national security and the need for recruits with key cultural and professional skills.




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Soccer: Bundesliga return includes Dortmund on May 16, Bayern Munich, May 17

The German Bundesliga released its full soccer schedule Thursday after German officials announced that the league is allowed to resume games after they were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.




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Diabetes in the Emergency Department: Acute Care of Diabetes Patients

Candace D. McNaughton
Apr 1, 2011; 29:51-59
Feature Articles




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Treatment of Onychomycosis in Diabetic Patients

Jason A. Winston
Oct 1, 2006; 24:160-166
Feature Articles




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A Review of the Pathophysiology, Classification, and Treatment of Foot Ulcers in Diabetic Patients

Warren Clayton
Mar 1, 2009; 27:52-58
Features




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Treatment Approach to Patients With Severe Insulin Resistance

Timothy J. Church
Apr 1, 2016; 34:97-104
Feature Articles




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Evaluation and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Ingrid Kruse
Apr 1, 2006; 24:91-93
Practical Pointers




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Impact of Treating Oral Disease on Preventing Vascular Diseases: A Model-Based Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Periodontal Treatment Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Previous randomized trials found that treating periodontitis improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), thus lowering the risks of developing T2D-related microvascular diseases and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some payers in the U.S. have started covering nonsurgical periodontal treatment for those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. We sought to identify the cost-effectiveness of expanding periodontal treatment coverage among patients with T2D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to estimate lifetime costs and health gains using a stochastic microsimulation model of oral health conditions, T2D, T2D-related microvascular diseases, and CVD of the U.S. population. Model parameters were obtained from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2009–2014) and randomized trials of periodontal treatment among patients with T2D.

RESULTS

Expanding periodontal treatment coverage among patients with T2D and periodontitis would be expected to avert tooth loss by 34.1% (95% CI –39.9, –26.5) and microvascular diseases by 20.5% (95% CI –31.2, –9.1), 17.7% (95% CI –32.7, –4.7), and 18.4% (95% CI –34.5, –3.5) for nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy, respectively. Providing periodontal treatment to the target population would be cost saving from a health care perspective at a total net savings of $5,904 (95% CI –6,039, –5,769) with an estimated gain of 0.6 quality-adjusted life years per capita (95% CI 0.5, 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Providing nonsurgical periodontal treatment to patients with T2D and periodontitis would be expected to significantly reduce tooth loss and T2D-related microvascular diseases via improved glycemic control. Encouraging patients with T2D and poor oral health conditions to receive periodontal treatment would improve health outcomes and still be cost saving or cost-effective.




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Watch: Monkey enters bank kiosk in India, removes front panel of ATM

Police in India said officers suspecting thieves were behind the damage to an ATM in a bank kiosk reviewed security camera footage and discovered the machine had been partially disassembled by a curious monkey.




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Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice Recommendations for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Complicated by Problematic Hypoglycemia

Pratik Choudhary
Jun 1, 2015; 38:1016-1029
Type 1 Diabetes at a Crossroads




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Breaking Up Prolonged Sitting With Standing or Walking Attenuates the Postprandial Metabolic Response in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Acute Study

Joseph Henson
Jan 1, 2016; 39:130-138
IDF-ADA Translational Symposium




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Intensive Diabetes Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes: The DCCT/EDIC Study 30-Year Follow-up

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study Research Group
May 1, 2016; 39:686-693
Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes




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Metabolic Surgery in the Treatment Algorithm for Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Statement by International Diabetes Organizations

Francesco Rubino
Jun 1, 2016; 39:861-877
Metabolic Surgery and the Changing Landscape for Diabetes Care




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Current State of Type 1 Diabetes Treatment in the U.S.: Updated Data From the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry

Kellee M. Miller
Jun 1, 2015; 38:971-978
Type 1 Diabetes at a Crossroads




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Israeli High Court permits Benjamin Netanyahu to form government despite indictments

A panel of 11 judges ruled that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form a government after reaching a deal with rival Benny Gantz.




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Diuretic Treatment of Hypertension

Ehud Grossman
May 1, 2011; 34:S313-S319
Hypertension




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Metabolic Surgery in the Treatment Algorithm for Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Statement by International Diabetes Organizations

Francesco Rubino
Jun 1, 2016; 39:861-877
Metabolic Surgery and the Changing Landscape for Diabetes Care




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Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: From "Guidelines" to "Position Statements" and Back: Recommendations of the Israel National Diabetes Council

Ofri Mosenzon
Aug 1, 2016; 39:S146-S153
II. Diabetes Treatment Options




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A Multinational, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Cyclical Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The TWO2 Study

OBJECTIVE

Topical oxygen has been used for the treatment of chronic wounds for more than 50 years. Its effectiveness remains disputed due to the limited number of robust high-quality investigations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of multimodality cyclical pressure Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) home care therapy in healing refractory diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) that had failed to heal with standard of care (SOC) alone.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients with diabetes and chronic DFUs were randomized (double-blind) to either active TWO2 therapy or sham control therapy—both in addition to optimal SOC. The primary outcome was the percentage of ulcers in each group achieving 100% healing at 12 weeks. A group sequential design was used for the study with three predetermined analyses and hard stopping rules once 73, 146, and ultimately 220 patients completed the 12-week treatment phase.

RESULTS

At the first analysis point, the active TWO2 arm was found to be superior to the sham arm, with a closure rate of 41.7% compared with 13.5%. This difference in outcome produced an odds ratio (OR) of 4.57 (97.8% CI 1.19, 17.57), P = 0.010. After adjustment for University of Texas Classification (UTC) ulcer grade, the OR increased to 6.00 (97.8% CI 1.44, 24.93), P = 0.004. Cox proportional hazards modeling, also after adjustment for UTC grade, demonstrated >4.5 times the likelihood to heal DFUs over 12 weeks compared with the sham arm with a hazard ratio of 4.66 (97.8% CI 1.36, 15.98), P = 0.004. At 12 months postenrollment, 56% of active arm ulcers were closed compared with 27% of the sham arm ulcers (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

This sham-controlled, double-blind randomized controlled trial demonstrates that, at both 12 weeks and 12 months, adjunctive cyclical pressurized TWO2 therapy was superior in healing chronic DFUs compared with optimal SOC alone.




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From high school student to dentist, Give Kids A Smile volunteer continues commitment

Dr. Theressa Eliscar-Hewett began volunteering at the Nassau County Give Kids A Smile event in Long Island, New York, as a high school student. More than 10 years later, she continues to volunteer, only now as a dentist.




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Arizona Mission of Mercy event provides treatment to over 1,700

The Central Arizona Dental Society hosted a Mission of Mercy event Dec. 13-14 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, providing treatment to 1,785 patients totaling just over $2 million in free dental service.




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ADA, other dental organizations ask Labor Department to help small businesses

The ADA, along with a large group of other dental organizations, told the U.S. Department of Labor that they are concerned about provisions in HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as related to family and medical leave and paid sick leave.




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ADA urges CDC to provide ‘immediate guidance’ on protecting dental patients, staff from COVID-19 during emergency treatments

The American Dental Association is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide immediate guidance on the best way to protect dental patients and staff from the transmission of COVID-19 during emergency and urgent care situations.




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Labor Department says employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt from new law

Employers with fewer than 50 employees, including dental practices, may be exempt from a provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that requires them to provide emergency paid sick leave and expanded medical leave to employees in certain COVID-19 circumstances, the Department of Labor said April 1.




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ADA asks Treasury Department, Small Business Administration to clarify intent of interim rule

The Association continues to wait for clear guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration on the best way to help dentists considering applying for Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.




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North Carolina interactive map launches to help public find emergency dental treatment during pandemic

A North Carolina oral health coalition, in collaboration with multiple state partners, has developed an interactive map to help guide the public to sites where emergency dental services are available throughout the Tar Heel State both during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.




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UCLA dental school researchers create nanoparticle that could improve bone defect treatment

A team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry has developed a nanoparticle that could improve treatment for bone defects.




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Department of Labor releases Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ

The Department of Labor released an FAQ April 27 that addresses common questions about work search and job refusal when an individual receives Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.




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IEA doubts Russia’s commitment to OPEC accord

The Paris-based International Energy Agency on Friday cast doubt on whether Russia would meet its agreement with OPEC to cut crude oil output to support prices.




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Cancer patients on Medicaid might not benefit from experimental treatments, study finds

Cancer patients on Medicaid or who don't have insurance benefit less from experimental treatments, even if they get into clinical trials, a study published Thursday by JAMA Network Open has found.




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Johns Hopkins to launch trials of blood plasma treatment for COVID-19

Johns Hopkins University will start two clinical trials of convalescent blood plasma for treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.




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Screening and Treatment Outcomes in Adults and Children With Type 1 Diabetes and Asymptomatic Celiac Disease: The CD-DIET Study

OBJECTIVE

To describe celiac disease (CD) screening rates and glycemic outcomes of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in patients with type 1 diabetes who are asymptomatic for CD.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Asymptomatic patients (8–45 years) were screened for CD. Biopsy-confirmed CD participants were randomized to GFD or gluten-containing diet (GCD) to assess changes in HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring over 12 months.

RESULTS

Adults had higher CD-seropositivity rates than children (6.8% [95% CI 4.9–8.2%, N = 1,298] vs. 4.7% [95% CI 3.4–5.9%, N = 1,089], P = 0.035) with lower rates of prior CD screening (6.9% vs. 44.2%, P < 0.0001). Fifty-one participants were randomized to a GFD (N = 27) or GCD (N = 24). No HbA1c differences were seen between the groups (+0.14%, 1.5 mmol/mol; 95% CI –0.79 to 1.08; P = 0.76), although greater postprandial glucose increases (4-h +1.5 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.4–2.7; P = 0.014) emerged with a GFD.

CONCLUSIONS

CD is frequently observed in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes, and clinical vigilance is warranted with initiation of a GFD.




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Dietary Manganese, Plasma Markers of Inflammation, and the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Postmenopausal Women: Findings From the Womens Health Initiative

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between manganese intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women and determine whether this association is mediated by circulating markers of inflammation.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We included 84,285 postmenopausal women without a history of diabetes from the national Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS). Replication analysis was then conducted among 62,338 women who participated in the WHI-Clinical Trial (WHI-CT). Additionally, data from a case-control study of 3,749 women nested in the WHI-OS with information on biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were examined using mediation analysis to determine the relative contributions of these known biomarkers by which manganese affects type 2 diabetes risk.

RESULTS

Compared with the lowest quintile of energy-adjusted dietary manganese, WHI-OS participants in the highest quintile had a 30% lower risk of type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] 0.70 [95% CI 0.65, 0.76]). A consistent association was also confirmed in the WHI-CT (HR 0.79 [95% CI 0.73, 0.85]). In the nested case-control study, higher energy-adjusted dietary manganese was associated with lower circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers that significantly mediated the association between dietary manganese and type 2 diabetes risk. Specifically, 19% and 12% of type 2 diabetes risk due to manganese were mediated through interleukin 6 and hs-CRP, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher intake of manganese was directly associated with a lower type 2 diabetes risk independent of known risk factors. This association may be partially mediated by inflammatory biomarkers.




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Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment, Glycemia, and Diabetes Risk in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Comorbid Cardiovascular Disease

OBJECTIVE

Despite evidence of a relationship among obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), metabolic dysregulation, and diabetes, it is uncertain whether OSA treatment can improve metabolic parameters. We sought to determine effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on glycemic control and diabetes risk in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and OSA.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Blood, medical history, and personal data were collected in a substudy of 888 participants in the Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular End Points (SAVE) trial in which patients with OSA and stable CVD were randomized to receive CPAP plus usual care, or usual care alone. Serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 2 and 4 years and incident diabetes diagnoses recorded.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 4.3 years. In those with preexisting diabetes (n = 274), there was no significant difference between the CPAP and usual care groups in serum glucose, HbA1c, or antidiabetic medications during follow-up. There were also no significant between-group differences in participants with prediabetes (n = 452) or in new diagnoses of diabetes. Interaction testing suggested that women with diabetes did poorly in the usual care group, while their counterparts on CPAP therapy remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with established CVD and OSA, we found no evidence that CPAP therapy over several years affects glycemic control in those with diabetes or prediabetes or diabetes risk over standard-of-care treatment. The potential differential effect according to sex deserves further investigation.




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Ask Ariely: On Irrational Investments and Company Complaints

Here’s my Q&A column from the WSJ this week — and if you have any questions for me, you can tweet them to @danariely with the hashtag #askariely, post a comment on my Ask Ariely Facebook page, or email them to AskAriely@wsj.com. ___________________________________________________ Dear Dan, One of my credit cards bears...




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Five Types of Research, Underexplored until Recently, Could Produce Alzheimer's Treatments

Research into the brain’s protein-disposal systems, electrical activity and three other areas looks promising

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com




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A Harder Look at Alzheimer's Causes and Treatments

Amyloid, the leading target for dementia therapy, faces skepticism after drug failures

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com




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The Christmastime Self-Esteem Paradox

Social psychologist William B. Swann once had a group of married people evaluate their spouses even as their spouses evaluated them. People with high self-esteem, the psychologist found, felt closer to their partners when they received positive evaluations. People with low self-esteem, however, felt...




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Thoughtful Investments Are Needed to Effectively Engage Volunteers in Refugee Integration

WASHINGTON — Rapid arrivals of humanitarian migrants in Europe and North America have been matched by an equally unprecedented outpouring of public support. As offers to volunteer and donate pour in, many have asked whether this generosity can be harnessed to ease pressures on overburdened receiving communities and service providers. But using volunteers to meet the longer-term integration needs of resettled refugees and recognized asylum seekers is not an automatic salve: it requires thoughtful training and investment to be effective.




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As Global Refugee Forum approaches, MPI Europe brief offers a road map for smart investment in refugee sponsorship programmes

BRUSSELS — Even as the number of refugees in need of protection has reached an all-time high, the resettlement spots offered by countries in 2018 were less than half the level in 2016—and future commitments may shrink further. With refugee needs high and generosity dimming, there is increasing urgency for humanitarian actors to find new ways to bring refugees to safety as well as to rebuild public interest and consensus around the importance of protection.




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Phillippa's Christmas Pudding

This recipe was featured on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment with Raf Epstein on Drive, 774 ABC Melbourne, 3:30 PM, courtesy of Phillippa Grogan. Her new book is 'Phillippa's Home Baking.'




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Muscavado pavlova with chocolate and hazelnut mousse and Christmas cherries

I love Christmas my all time favourite time of year. It's also a great time for awesome summer sweet produce. Muscovado brown sugar is a treacle like flavour and makes a welcome texture to a traditional pavlova.




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Tasha's simple no fuss Christmas cake

I absolutely adore a rich moist fruit cake laced with brandy. We love this cake in our house and will stay fresh in a airtight tin for months.




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Roast Christmas Duck with Port and Cherry sauce

Getting in early with my Christmas recipe to inspire you to move away from the traditional Turkey . Not one for sweet tasting sauces with meat however his works extremely well against the rich sometimes games flavour and the sweet sour notes from the cherry sauce.




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Mahatma Breakfast - Ayurvedic turmeric, rolled rice porridge

This deliciously warming Ayurvedic gluten-free breakfast idea came from my good friend Brenda when she owned Mondo Organics in Brisbane. I've tweaked it a little to suit what was in my pantry today. The perfect brekky after Sunday morning yoga and a great way to start your surfing day. Rolled rice is available at most good food stores and organic outlets. Best to use fresh turmeric for its antioxidant properties and up to you whether you want yoghurt too. I prefer mine with a squeeze of lime. Om Shanti.




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Refugee Sponsorship Programs: A Global State of Play and Opportunities for Investment

From Argentina to New Zealand and points beyond, a growing number of countries have begun exploring refugee sponsorship as a way to expand protection capacity at a time of rising need, involving individuals and communities more directly in resettlement. This brief takes stock of what both new and well-established programs need to succeed, and outlines opportunities for private philanthropic actors to support them.




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Barriers to COVID-19 Testing and Treatment: Immigrants without Health Coverage in the United States

As millions of U.S. workers lose jobs and the health insurance associated with them, Medicaid and similar programs are increasingly important for people seeking COVID-19 testing and treatment. Yet many low-income uninsured noncitizens, including green-card holders, are excluded from such programs because of their immigration status, as this fact sheet explores.




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Perspectives in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Jennifer M. Perkins
Apr 1, 2007; 25:57-62
Feature Articles