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Examining concept of resilience after disaster, emergency in low-income countries

Writing in USAID's "IMPACTblog," David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, reflects on the concept of resilience, which he defines as one's "ability to cope and their systems for preparing, responding and rebuilding" after a natural disaster or emergency.

6 Dec 2012

Two simple cost-effective methods can reduce expensive postoperative complications

As the nation grapples with surging health care costs, researchers at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, and Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, have confirmed two simple cost-effective methods to reduce expensive postoperative complications-communications team training and a surgical checklist.

6 Dec 2012

Devex examines reaction of international development community to U.S. AIDS blueprint

Devex's "Pennsylvania Ave." blog reports on reaction from the international development community to the release last week of the "President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-free Generation".

6 Dec 2012

Viewpoints: Sen. Whitehouse argues deficit fix shouldn't be about Medicare; Is a plunge over the cliff so bad?

As President Barack Obama and congressional leaders continue discussions to avert the so-called fiscal cliff - the mix of tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect automatically in January - we hear a troubling but familiar refrain in Washington: To fix our deficit, we must cut Medicare benefits.

6 Dec 2012

Health Improvement Institute announces winners of 2012 Aesculapius Award

Aesculapius Awards of Excellence for 2012 were announced today by Dr. Peter G. Goldschmidt, President and Founder of the Health Improvement Institute.

6 Dec 2012

Roundup: Florida health law battles take new turn; Oklahoma court rejects anti-abortion law; Calif. kids Medi-Cal dispute continues

Even in Florida, where Republican leaders led the legal battle against Obamacare, there's recognition now that the state has to act fast to comply with the new law. ... After Nov. 6, Gov. Rick Scott had a change in tone. "Gov. Mitt Romney did not win the election. So, it's not an option to repeal Obamacare," he said. "So, my goal now is to focus on what's good for our citizens." But Republicans are having trouble convincing Tea Party activists that the fight is over.

6 Dec 2012

University of Chicago professor wins Manpei Suzuki International Prize for diabetes work

Graeme Ian Bell, PhD, the Louis Block Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics and an investigator in the Kovler Diabetes Center at the University of Chicago, has been awarded the Manpei Suzuki International Prize for 2012 for his pioneering work in understanding the role of genetics in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

5 Dec 2012

BBC News examines HIV/AIDS in Iran

BBC News examines HIV/AIDS in Iran, writing, "In the 2000s, Iran became known as the region's leader in the fight against AIDS. Each year, the government allocates millions of dollars to prevent and manage the disease, and government-sponsored clinics across the country help battle it."

5 Dec 2012

Software to curb hospital readmissions?

Stung by a multimillion-dollar penalty for failing to meet new patient readmissions standards set by Medicare, UMass Memorial Health Care is using transaction analytics software to reduce frequent and costly readmissions for patients with heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia.

5 Dec 2012

National Radiation Oncology Registry program for quality assessment and improvement

The National Radiation Oncology Registry (NROR) pilot program will serve as the basis for the creation of a nationwide electronic registry to capture reliable, population-based information on radiation treatment delivery and health outcomes and will be supported by an innovative information technology (IT) infrastructure that will maximize efficiency through the automated collection and electronic transfer of data, according to research presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium.

5 Dec 2012

U.S. working with Namibia on AIDS response

U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Wanda Nesbitt writes in the State Department's "DipNote" blog, "Here in Namibia, the United States, through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is working closely with the people and Government of Namibia to prevent new HIV infections, provide lifesaving HIV treatment to those who need it, and help put an end to AIDS in the country."

5 Dec 2012

UMHS named on Leapfrog Top Hospitals list

Patients who choose the University of Michigan Health System for their care have one more reason to be confident in their choice. Today, an independent national group once again named UMHS among the safest and highest-quality hospitals in the United States. Only 66 other hospitals earned the Top Hospitals designation from the Leapfrog Group, a national leader in evaluating hospital care based on a wide range of criteria.

5 Dec 2012

Trouble spot in fiscal talks: The down payment

Although there appears to be general agreement about tax code and entitlement changes that would begin next year and tally more than $1 trillion over 10 years, the initial installment of deficit reduction has become a sticking point between the White House and GOP leaders. Meanwhile, the Washington Post checks the facts on entitlement "spending cuts."

5 Dec 2012

Reflecting on global health challenges, opportunities

Writing in the BMJ Blog, George Alleyne, director emeritus of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), reflects on global health challenges and opportunities, writing, "There have been massive changes not only in the basic health problems, but also in how we have addressed them."

5 Dec 2012

Senior adviser to President reflects on World AIDS Day

"This week, as we gathered in the White House with key scientists, policymakers, and community stakeholders to commemorate World AIDS Day, I was so proud to help highlight the progress we've made in the fight against HIV/AIDS," Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the President, writes in the AIDS.gov blog.

5 Dec 2012

USAID introduces 'first-ever' guidance on building resiliency

On Monday, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah "announced the launch of the agency's first-ever policy and program guidance on Building Resilience to Recurrent Crisis during an event in Washington, D.C.," according to an USAID press release.

5 Dec 2012

Patient-centered relationship increases pain tolerance: Study

A doctor-patient relationship built on trust and empathy doesn't just put patients at ease - it actually changes the brain's response to stress and increases pain tolerance, according to new findings from a Michigan State University research team.

5 Dec 2012

Report examines international funding for neglected diseases

"International financial support aimed at counteracting the world's 'neglected diseases' increased by nearly a half-billion dollars over the past five years, according to new research released Monday, but changing funding dynamics could already be having a negative impact on the development of cures for diseases that affect a substantial proportion of the world's poor," Inter Press Service reports.

5 Dec 2012

Global Fund, Tanzania sign new grant agreement worth $308M

"The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has signed a new grant agreement [with Tanzania] worth $308 million," Devex's "Development Newswire" reports. "The grant, signed Dec. 1, will help provide more than 660,000 Tanzanians access to antiretrovirals, HIV testing and counseling, and other health products for the next three years, according to a press release" from the Global Fund, the news service writes.

5 Dec 2012

Tennessee nursing-care company charged with Medicare fraud

A Tennessee-based nursing-care company systematically defrauded Medicare of millions of dollars by pressuring therapists to perform expensive, unnecessary treatments, according to a recently unsealed federal complaint.

5 Dec 2012