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Also in global health news: Polio in Afghanistan; Goosby interview; water shortages in Mexico City; clean water device

Agence France-Presse examines the re-emergence of polio in Afghanistan, which is one of four countries where the disease is endemic. According to AFP, "Health care, or the lack of it, is one of many problems facing Afghanistan, eight years after a war to topple the extremist Taliban regime and the arrival of billions of dollars in international aid." Although UNICEF recently launched a three-day immunization campaign in the country, the "ongoing Taliban insurgency, virulent in the south -- Helmand, Uruzgan and Kandahar provinces in particular -- has meant many children are not being reached," AFP writes (O'Donnell, 9/14).

14 Sep 2009

Republicans: Malpractice reform demonstration projects insufficient

The Associated Press: "In his Wednesday speech and again in (a CBS "60 Minutes" interview), the president signaled he was open to so-called tort reform. Under current practice, doctors and hospitals must pay huge amounts to insure themselves against malpractice lawsuits by patients seeking large court-ordered settlements for poor treatment. … 'I would be willing to ... consider any ideas out there that would actually work in terms of reducing costs, improving the quality of patient care,' Obama said in the Sunday interview, which was taped Friday" (Hurst, 9/14).

14 Sep 2009

Washington Post examines HIV/AIDS rights, responsibilities questions

The Washington Post examines how African countries are "grappling with debates over what rights and duties to give those living with [HIV/AIDS] -- a growing segment of the population that remains largely hidden." The newspaper writes: "Across the continent, lawmakers are considering whether to make criminals of those who infect others with HIV, allow bosses to test workers for the virus, punish women who pass it to their babies and give constitutional protections to those with HIV."

14 Sep 2009

Much of the focus now turns to the conservative Blue Dog Democrats

In his address to Congress on health care last week, President Obama attempted to reassure Blue Dog Democrats, such as Georgia Reps. Jim Marshall and Sanford Bishop, that the plan would not be too expensive or intrusive for their conservative constituencies, the Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer reports.

14 Sep 2009

States face growing health costs, dwindling budgets

As states wrestle with shortfalls in health care funding, many are hoping to brace with budget cuts, while others focus on changes that keep costs down over the long term.

14 Sep 2009

A selection of opinions and editorials

Health Care: Now, It's War NPR What emerges from this year's historic debate will now be a distinctly Democratic bill opposed by virtually every Republican in both the House and the Senate. It will pass or fail depending entirely on Democratic leaders' ability to rally their own troops in support (Ron Elving, 9/11).

14 Sep 2009

Hebrew University researchers' discovery may lead to treatments for various states of loss of consciousness

A new understanding of how anesthesia and anesthesia-like states are controlled in the brain opens the door to possible new future treatments of various states of loss of consciousness, such as reversible coma, according to Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists.

14 Sep 2009

Poll: Opposition to reform still high but easing

A new ABC News-Washington Post poll found that 48 percent of Americans approve of Obama's handling of health care. "Bottom-line views on health care reform have stabilized but failed to improve since President Obama addressed the nation, leaving him with a continued challenge in selling his plan to a public that remains skeptical about its benefits and costs alike," ABC News reports.

14 Sep 2009

Results from Keryx' KRX-0401 Phase 2 study to be presented at the International Kidney Cancer Symposium

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX) today announced that Phase 2 data of KRX-0401 (perifosine), the Company's PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor for cancer, as a single agent in the treatment of advanced metastatic renal cell cancer, has been selected for oral presentation at the Eighth International Kidney Cancer Symposium, to be held in Chicago from September 25-26, 2009.

14 Sep 2009

Lobbyists ramp up efforts to shape health care reform

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/New York Times reports: "Top lobbyists for every major sector of the health care industry publicly insist they are squarely behind the health care reform effort of President Barack Obama's administration.

14 Sep 2009

Malnutrition, poor sanitary conditions and HIV leads to defective immune system

The most common causes worldwide include malnutrition, poor sanitary conditions and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection. Other causes of temporary or permanent damage to the immune system include old age, medications (e.g. cortisone, cytostatic drugs), radiotherapy, stress after surgery and malignant tumors of the bone marrow and the lymph nodes.

14 Sep 2009

E-Health a forerunner of a health overhaul

CBS News reported on its program "Sunday Morning" that "what you may not know is that Congress has already approved and funded one program: the plan to computerize your medical records."

14 Sep 2009

Nonprofits seek financial relief in health legislation

The New York Times reports: "Nonprofit organizations say they are upset that Congress and the Obama administration have not addressed their rising health care costs in the various health care proposals being floated on Capitol Hill. The main bill in the House would award a tax credit to small businesses that provide their employees with health insurance — but nonprofits do not pay income taxes and thus would not benefit."

14 Sep 2009

Comparative effectiveness research may save money, but remains controversial

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports: "Democrats' plans for health care reform would try to provide answers with more studies on which drugs, medical devices and procedures work best for different patients. But while the goal of more 'comparative effectiveness' research may sound simple, getting there may be a challenge."

14 Sep 2009

Massage Envy clinics to donate funds to support breast cancer education

On Tuesday, September 15, at all Massage Envy clinics in the D.C. metro area, you can relax, get healthier, and help in the fight against breast cancer. All 18 area clinics in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia are offering massages at more than half-off the regular price, with $10 from each session being donated directly to area affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

14 Sep 2009

Four additional patents increase SPO Medical's intellectual property portfolio to eight patents

SPO Medical Inc. (SPOM)s intellectual property (IP) portfolio to a total of eight patents. These latest patents, developed by the SPO Medical engineering team, increases the Company's technological competitive edge in providing innovative, high performance oximetry solutions for a variety of market applications.

14 Sep 2009

'Tea Party' demonstrators march on Washington, protesting health care, taxes, government spending

The Associated Press: "Tens of thousands of protesters fed up with government spending marched to the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, showing their disdain for the president's health care plan with slogans such as 'Obamacare makes me sick' and 'I'm not your ATM.'

14 Sep 2009

Seniors most skeptical of health overhaul

Age plays a role in shaping people's thoughts on health care reform with seniors worried and confused about an overhaul.

14 Sep 2009

Enobia Pharma's clinical study of ENB-0040 for treating hypophosphatasia provides positive results

Enobia Pharma today announced positive data from a clinical study of ENB-0040, a bone targeted enzyme replacement therapy, under investigation for the treatment of hypophosphatasia (HPP). After six months of treatment with ENB-0040, four of five severely affected patients showed marked improvements in bone mineralization, correction of skeletal defects, better respiratory function, including weaning from assisted ventilation, and cognitive and motor development.

14 Sep 2009

Senator Bob Bennett speaks on healthcare at the UTC sponsored CEO Roundtable

Senator Bob Bennett recently discussed the state of the nation’s healthcare with a group of Utah CEOs at a CEO Roundtable sponsored by The Utah Technology Council (UTC), Utah’s premier technology and life science association.

14 Sep 2009