Chronic Disease News and Research

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Alkermes commences ALKS 5461 phase 1/2 study for treatment-resistant depression

Alkermes, Inc. today announced the initiation of a phase 1/2 study of ALKS 5461 for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). ALKS 5461 is the combination of ALKS 33, a proprietary opioid modulator, and buprenorphine. TRD, which is also known as refractory depression, refers to depressive episodes that are not adequately controlled by standard antidepressant therapy.

15 Jun 2011

California adults increase fruit and vegetable consumption from 1997-2007

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 objectives, adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is a national public health priority for disease prevention and maintenance of good health.

15 Jun 2011

Prolonged TV viewing associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and all-cause mortality

In an analysis of data from several studies, watching television for 2-3 hours per day or more was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease and all-cause death, according to a study in the June 15 issue of JAMA.

15 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Health law's latest day in court; Obama's "abdication" on Medicare; Blue Shield profits vs. premiums

Provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, "may violate the constitution of Ayn Rand, but they do not violate the Constitution of the United States," acting solicitor general Neal Kumar Katyal told a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday. Conversely, attorney Paul Clement, representing Georgia and 25 other states, framed the issue of mandated purchase of health insurance as an issue of liberty.

10 Jun 2011

State roundup: N.J. plan would cut Medicaid by $500 million

States and territories are eligible for up to $40 million to strengthen and coordinate efforts to prevent chronic disease, the Health and Human Services Department announced Tuesday. The initiative is funded by the healthcare reform law and targets the nation's five leading chronic diseases: heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

9 Jun 2011

Doctors' move to electronic records requires serious commitment

The federal stimulus and health care laws are pushing medical providers to go electronic as a way to improve patient safety and track health care quality. ... But moving away from paper files to an electronic health record system requires serious commitment on several levels. First, they're expensive. ... Second, the learning curve can be painful.

8 Jun 2011

Closed-loop artificial pancreas could fight against Type 1 diabetes

Engineering researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are combining automation techniques from oil refining and other diverse areas to help create a closed-loop artificial pancreas. The device will automatically monitor blood sugar levels and administer insulin to patients with Type 1 diabetes, and aims to remove much of the guesswork for those living with the chronic disease.

8 Jun 2011

Shire Canada receives expanded indication for MEZAVANT for treatment of ulcerative colitis

Shire Canada Inc., a division of Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, is proud to announce that MEZAVANT® (mesalamine delayed and extended release tablets), the first and only once-daily mesalamine indicated for the induction of clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with mild-to-moderate, active ulcerative colitis (UC), has received an expanded indication to include maintenance of clinical and endoscopic remission (mucosal healing) in patients with ulcerative colitis.

7 Jun 2011

Combinations of mother's body size, placental size can predict heart disease in men in later life: Study

Researchers investigating the foetal origins of chronic disease have discovered that combinations of a mother's body size and the shape and size of her baby's placenta can predict heart disease in men in later life.

4 Jun 2011

IMS Model to guide providers and patients toward adherence

Physicians can help their patients follow prescribed treatments and achieve healthier results - particularly in chronic disease management - by using a three-pronged strategy developed by a team of researchers from the University of California, Riverside, Texas State University-San Marcos, and La Sierra University in Riverside, Calif.

2 Jun 2011

Vitamin D levels low in African Americans with multiple sclerosis

In the first major study exploring the connection between vitamin D and multiple sclerosis in African Americans, a team of scientists at the University of California, San Francisco has discovered that vitamin D levels in the blood are lower in African Americans who have the disease, compared to African Americans who do not.

30 May 2011

Two new hepatitis C drugs effectively improve cure rates of African Americans

Two new drugs just approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat hepatitis C genotype 1 significantly improved the cure rates of patients. One of the drugs was extremely effective in treating African Americans.

27 May 2011

CNA launches National Expert Commission on health system improvement

The Canadian Nurses Association today officially launched its National Expert Commission on health system improvement, entitled The Health of Our Nation — The Future of Our Health System.

26 May 2011

Obesity and diabetes rates continue to rise despite decline in consumption of sweeteners

A comprehensive review of research focusing on the debate between High Fructose Corn Syrup and other sweeteners presented today finds there is no evidence of any significant variation in the way the human body metabolizes HFCS as opposed to standard table sugar, or any difference in impact on risk factors for chronic disease.

25 May 2011

Biogen Idec launches educational forum, 'Women in MS'

Biogen Idec today announced the launch of "Women in MS," an educational initiative to address both the advantages and challenges female clinicians experience in treating patients living with multiple sclerosis.

25 May 2011

Vectra DA blood test may help predict patients' response to rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Crescendo Bioscience- today announced data indicating that Vectra- DA, a first-in-class multi-biomarker blood test used to assess rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, provides physicians with an objective measure which may help determine whether patients are responding to therapy.

25 May 2011

Healthways, BCBSNC to offer SilverSneakers to Blue Medicare HMO and PPO members

In a continuing effort to promote well-being and prevention to its older-adult members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Healthways, the leading well-being improvement company, have agreed to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program to BCBSNC's eligible Blue Medicare Supplement members beginning June 1, 2011.

23 May 2011

Research roundup: Closing E.R.S; Predicting future health costs; Providing rural residents with specialized care

Factors Associated With The Closures Of Emergency Departments In The United States -- This study looks at the community, market and medical factors that led to an increase of urban hospital-based emergency department closures.

20 May 2011

Longer looks: Tough health care questions for GOP presidential contenders; Robotics help spike use of prostate treatment

For my money, the most interesting thing about Mitt Romney's health-care speech last week wasn't his struggle to defend Romneycare and distance it from Obamacare, but the largely hostile reception of the speech from the right.

20 May 2011

Musculoskeletal pain, obesity and smoking linked to increased risk of back-related disability

Musculoskeletal pain, obesity, and smoking are among the factors associated with an increased risk of work disability due to low back disorders, reports a study in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

19 May 2011

Chronic Disease News and Research

Alkermes commences ALKS 5461 phase 1/2 study for treatment-resistant depression

California adults increase fruit and vegetable consumption from 1997-2007

Prolonged TV viewing associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and all-cause mortality

Viewpoints: Health law's latest day in court; Obama's "abdication" on Medicare; Blue Shield profits vs. premiums

State roundup: N.J. plan would cut Medicaid by $500 million

Doctors' move to electronic records requires serious commitment

Closed-loop artificial pancreas could fight against Type 1 diabetes

Shire Canada receives expanded indication for MEZAVANT for treatment of ulcerative colitis

Combinations of mother's body size, placental size can predict heart disease in men in later life: Study

IMS Model to guide providers and patients toward adherence

Vitamin D levels low in African Americans with multiple sclerosis

Two new hepatitis C drugs effectively improve cure rates of African Americans

CNA launches National Expert Commission on health system improvement

Obesity and diabetes rates continue to rise despite decline in consumption of sweeteners

Biogen Idec launches educational forum, 'Women in MS'

Vectra DA blood test may help predict patients' response to rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Healthways, BCBSNC to offer SilverSneakers to Blue Medicare HMO and PPO members

Research roundup: Closing E.R.S; Predicting future health costs; Providing rural residents with specialized care

Longer looks: Tough health care questions for GOP presidential contenders; Robotics help spike use of prostate treatment

Musculoskeletal pain, obesity and smoking linked to increased risk of back-related disability

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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