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Gastric bypass patients tend to overuse alcohol

Patients who have had a gastric bypass operation take longer to process alcohol, potentially leading some of them to overindulge when drinking, according to the results of a new study in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

11 Mar 2011

Defunding strategy takes aim at health law's mandatory spending provisions

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing yesterday to begin the process of marking up legislation to remove certain parts of health law funding.

11 Mar 2011

Surgical robot acquisition increases rate of surgery to treat prostate cancer

A new study conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and Yale School of Medicine shows that when hospitals acquire surgical robotic technology, men in that region are more likely to have prostate cancer surgery. The study, "The Association between Diffusion of the Surgical Robot and Radical Prostatectomy Rates", was published this week in the online edition of the journal Medical Care.

11 Mar 2011

Researchers concerned about use of mercury-based compound in inactivated flu vaccines

As the United Nations, the European Commission, and the United States Food and Drug Administration evaluate the health and environmental risks associated with mercury, a known neurotoxin, carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, and immune-system disruptor, new research continues to fuel concerns about Thimerosal, a mercury-based compound used as a preservative in inactivated flu vaccines.

11 Mar 2011

SAMHSA study finds 51.5% drug-related hospital visits by older patients

Adults aged 50 and older comprise 51.5 percent of all emergency department visits each year related to adverse reactions to medications, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

11 Mar 2011

NCI report: Number of US cancer survivors increases to 11.7 million during 2007

The number of cancer survivors in the United States increased to 11.7 million in 2007, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. There were 3 million cancer survivors in 1971 and 9.8 million in 2001.

10 Mar 2011

Coffee consumption may reduce risk of stroke in women

Drinking more than a cup of coffee a day was associated with a 22 percent to 25 percent lower risk of stroke, compared with those who drank less, in a study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

10 Mar 2011

New collaborative programme can improve mother and infant nutrition

The University of York is launching a £1 million collaborative programme aimed at encouraging improved nutrition for mothers and infants.

10 Mar 2011

Matrix, dbMotion partner to market and deploy healthcare solutions in the UK

dbMotion, an innovative provider of connected healthcare solutions, and Matrix Knowledge Group, a leader in information management services, announced a partnership today to jointly market and deploy solutions throughout the United Kingdom.

10 Mar 2011

Lipitz Center offers free technical assistance to medical practices for chronic care

The Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is offering free technical assistance to help primary care practices and health care organizations, including accountable care organizations, improve the quality and outcomes of health care for older adults with chronic illnesses.

10 Mar 2011

Opinions: Investing in science, technology; Indian public-private partnership for NTDs; U.S. global food security investments; Clinton's statements on PEPFAR; U.S. foreign aid; primary care

"Now is the time to support science and technology - especially in difficult economic times. It is the right thing to do, and it makes good economic sense," Alex Dehgan, science and technology adviser to the USAID administrator, and Kaitlin Christenson, coalition director for the Global Health Technologies Coalition, write in an opinion piece appearing on The Hill's "Congress Blog."

10 Mar 2011

NSW selects ZOLL AED Plus devices for Rural Fire Service stations

ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that it has received an award from the Government of NSW Australia to provide 5450 AED Plus devices for installation on all Rural Fire Service stations deployed throughout the State of New South Wales.

10 Mar 2011

CUBN gene mutation linked with albuminuria in individuals with or without diabetes

A team of researchers from the United States and Europe has identified a single genetic mutation in the CUBN gene that is associated with albuminuria both with and without diabetes. Albuminuria is a condition caused by the leaking of the protein albumin into the urine, which is an indication of kidney disease.

9 Mar 2011

Study finds passive smoking increases risk of still birth by 23%

Pregnant non-smokers who breathe in the second-hand smoke of other people are at an increased risk of delivering stillborn babies or babies with defects, a study led by researchers at The University of Nottingham has found.

9 Mar 2011

The American Journal of Medicine focuses on the continuing healthcare reform debate

As the debate about healthcare in the United States rages, four insightful articles in the March 2011 issue of The American Journal of Medicine strive to add reasoned arguments and empirical research findings to the dialog.

9 Mar 2011

New study shows excess hospitalization costs for homeless people

Homeless patients cost about $2,500 more per hospital stay than the average patient, according to a new study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.

9 Mar 2011

International Longevity Center becomes foundation for interdisciplinary center on aging at Columbia University

Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the International Longevity Center (ILC) announced today that the ILC, founded in 1990 by world-renowned gerontologist Robert N. Butler, is beginning an important new chapter in its history.

9 Mar 2011

SMArt platform to support flexible health IT environment, promote innovation

Through a grant from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School have developed a first-of-its kind platform architecture to support a flexible health information technology environment and promote innovation.

9 Mar 2011

Also in global health news: Rights abuses in Myanmar; Indian malnutrition; Mali Global Fund grant; shift in USAID's programs in Afghanistan; Gates Foundation grant for vaccines

Human Rights Abuses Impacting Health Situation In Parts Of Myanmar, Study Says.

9 Mar 2011

Health law policy disputes central to congressional spending fight

As lawmakers tussle over how much spending should be cut in this year's budget, these key policy questions related to the health law and other regulatory issues are a flashpoint. In addition, House Republicans are stepping up their strategies to defund the overhaul.

9 Mar 2011