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Celebrities urge decriminalization of drug possession

Dame Judi Dench, Sir Richard Branson, actress Julie Christies and Sting have added their support to an ex-drugs minister and three former chief constables in calling for the decriminalization of the possession of all drugs. These celebrities together with leading lawyers, academics, artists and politicians have signed an open letter to David Cameron to mark this week's 40th anniversary of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act. The letter, published in a full-page advertisement in Thursday's Guardian, calls for a “swift and transparent” review of the effectiveness of current drugs policies.

2 Jun 2011

AIDS epidemic turns 30

It is 30 years since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. It was fatal then but has now become a treatable, if still incurable, chronic illness. AIDS therapy now has tools that prolong the lives of people infected with the virus and prevent others from acquiring it. They range from antiretroviral therapy (ART), to circumcision and campaigns to reduce promiscuity. On the horizon are gels and pills that protect against infection during intercourse. Even the outlook for an AIDS vaccine is no longer as bleak as it used to be.

31 May 2011

Canadian women more aware of ovarian cancer now, but misconceptions remain

Canadian women know more about ovarian cancer than they did six years ago, but misconceptions remain that could lead to late diagnosis of the country's most fatal gynecologic cancer - a disease that claims the lives of 70% of those diagnosed.

30 May 2011

Alcohol related hospital admissions rise sharply: Report

The number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England has exceeded one million in a year for the first time say reports. The reports reveal that the number of drink-induced hospital visits has more than doubled since 2003, with a 12 per cent year-on-year increase between April 2009 and March 2010 pushing the total to 1,057,000.

29 May 2011

Biogen Idec joins global multiple sclerosis community to celebrate third annual World MS Day

Today, Biogen Idec will join the global multiple sclerosis (MS) community in celebrating the third annual World MS Day. Biogen Idec continues to be the industry leader in researching and providing groundbreaking therapies for MS. So far in 2011, the company has brought more hope to MS patients through a number of significant milestones.

25 May 2011

Infertility centers under scrutiny

Private infertility treatment centers in Britain are set to come under increased scrutiny. These centers have come under scrutiny for exploiting vulnerable couples with their high fees and exaggerated success story claims.

23 May 2011

Queen's University scientists partner to treat premature baby blindness with stem cells

Scientists from the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast are teaming up to develop a cure to an illness that can lead to blindness in premature babies, thanks to funding from children's charity Action Medical Research.

18 May 2011

Coffee reduces prostate cancer risk

In the 20-year study of almost 50,000 men, researchers noted that those who drank at least six cups a day were 20 per cent less likely to get prostate cancer than those who never took coffee. Strikingly, they were 60 per cent less likely than the non-coffee drinkers to die of the disease. The researchers also say that decaffeinated coffee is just as effective.

17 May 2011

Japan quake, tsunami transform country into major aid recipient

"Until a few months ago Japan was the world's fifth biggest aid donor, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, lending or giving away $9.5bn a year," the Guardian reports. But the recent earthquake and tsunami have transformed the country "into a leading destination for international charity. In two months it has received what the Democratic Republic of the Congo is given in a year," according to the article.

16 May 2011

Immortality only appeals to 15% of people: Study

Results of a new ComRes opinion poll commissioned by Dying Matters, a coalition backed by several major charities which promotes discussion of end-of-life issues, shows that only 15% want to live forever.

15 May 2011

Genetic link for depression found: Study

Researchers have for the first time confirmed a specific genetic link to depression, according to new evidence published in the American Journal of Psychiatry on Monday. This finding was made independently by research teams in the UK and US, is expected to lead to a better biological understanding of the condition and eventually to more effective antidepressants.

15 May 2011

Viewpoints: Romney on his health plan; Enthoven, Aaron on Medicare reforms; WSJ on 'millionaire' retirees

Health care is more than just one-sixth of the American economy. It is a source of well-being for individuals and families. We are blessed with much that is good in American health care. But we have taken a turn for the worse with ObamaCare, with its high taxes and vastly expanded federal control over our lives. I believe the better course is to empower the states to determine their own health care futures.

13 May 2011

Doctors miss blood clots costing millions to the NHS: Report

According to to figures from the NHS Litigation Authority, the NHS has paid out over £112m since 2005 in compensation because doctors have failed to spot or prevent fatal blood clots.

12 May 2011

Breast cancer and unhealthy lifestyle choices

Figures have shown that more than one in five British women is classified as obese, and research has found those affected are almost 50 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer than women carrying less weight. Studies have shown that obesity in women leads to changes in sex-hormone levels that may trigger estrogen-dependent tumors, which form the majority of cases. Drinking just one large glass of wine a day also increases the chance of developing breast cancer by a fifth, say experts. It is thought alcohol raises levels of estrogen in the body.

11 May 2011

Wealth, population size, race and age associate with local availability of hospice programs

Wealth, population size, race and age associate with the supply of hospice care available in a county, according to a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management this month.

10 May 2011

MedCath net revenue increases 0.4% to $97.2 million for second fiscal quarter 2011

MedCath Corporation, a healthcare provider focused on high acuity healthcare services, today announced operating results for its second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011. On April 26, 2011, MedCath announced its intention to release the operating results for its second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 on Tuesday, May 10, 2011.

9 May 2011

KFA announces plans for charity Game-A-Thon and food allergy campaign

Kids With Food Allergies Foundation today announced plans for a charity Game-A-Thon and the Faces of Food Allergies Campaign in honor of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, which includes Food Allergy Awareness Week from May 8-14.

7 May 2011

Poor asthma training among GP’s: Report

According to figures revealed by authorities, a lack of training for GPs in how to treat asthma is putting sufferers' lives at risk. Asthma UK says a survey found that 47 per cent of GPs admit their own knowledge about the condition could be better. Emergency hospital admissions for asthma cost the NHS over £60m a year, yet the charity maintains 75 per cent of admissions are avoidable. It estimates at least £45m could be saved if GPs were better informed and care was better managed.

3 May 2011

SIS designated as preferred vendor by Anesthesia Quality Institute

Surgical Information Systems, a leader in perioperative information systems, announced today that they have been designated as a preferred vendor by the Anesthesia Quality Institute.

2 May 2011

Three hundred neurosurgeons to participate in Central Park softball tournament

With summer just around the corner, that means the Annual Neurosurgery Charity Softball Tournament will take place in Central Park for the eighth consecutive year.

30 Apr 2011