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Democrats and Republicans see Medicare issue working to their advantage

Regardless of who emerges as the victor, the Medicare debate makes it likely that changes will be made to the program in the future, according to The Associated Press. Also, Kaiser Health News examines how Medicare policies are playing among Reagan Democrats.

22 Oct 2012

Are some factors related to readmissions beyond hospitals' control?

Reuters reports on a "fresh look at past research" that finds several non-medical variables may be central to how some patients do once they are discharged from the hospital.

22 Oct 2012

First Edition: October 22, 2012

Today's headlines include the latest news about how health policies are playing on the campaign trail as candidates move into the home stretch.

22 Oct 2012

Ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices less costly than hospitals

More and more outpatient surgical procedures are being done at nonhospital-based facilities such as freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and physician offices, instead of at hospital-based outpatient departments.

22 Oct 2012

VEGF produced by NPCs plays a strong role in influencing microglial behavior

The brain's key "breeder" cells, it turns out, do more than that. They secrete substances that boost the numbers and strength of critical brain-based immune cells believed to play a vital role in brain health. This finding adds a new dimension to our understanding of how resident stem cells and stem cell transplants may improve brain function.

22 Oct 2012

PAC program improves children’s dental care, may serve as invaluable tool for dental students

A partnership between a New York City dental school and a local foster care agency has provided consistent dental care to more than 650 children, and may serve as a model for other dental school program curriculums. The success of Partners Against Caries (PAC), both for the participating foster children and dental school students, was outlined Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012

AAP introduces new initiative to fight childhood obesity

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is launching a major new initiative in its fight against childhood obesity, focusing on both prevention and treatment of what has become a major threat to children's health in the U.S.

22 Oct 2012

Study finds weight loss doesn't lower heart risks for diabetics

A large federal study of whether diet and weight loss can prevent heart attacks and strokes in overweight and obese people with Type 2 diabetes has ended two years ahead of schedule because the intensive program did not help.

22 Oct 2012

Mistakes are still commonly made in prescriptions of antiretroviral medications

Research presented at IDWeek 2012- concludes that despite advances in electronic medical records, mistakes are still commonly made in the prescription of antiretroviral medications for hospitalized HIV-positive patients. At the same time, a trio of studies suggests however, that electronic records in combination with increased clinical education can help to greatly decrease medical errors.

20 Oct 2012

Aidspan publishes new issue of 'Global Fund Observer'

Aidspan, an independent watchdog of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, on Thursday published Issue 199 of its "Global Fund Observer."

20 Oct 2012

IVF may significantly increase risk of birth defects, new research says

In vitro fertilization may significantly increase the risk of birth defects, particularly those of the eye, heart, reproductive organs and urinary systems, according to new research presented Saturday, Oct. 20, at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

20 Oct 2012

U.N. SG Ban says hunger fight needs political will, innovation at World Food Prize ceremony

"Innovative approaches and technologies as well as a strong political will from countries are essential to combat hunger," according to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who spoke Thursday night in Des Moines, Iowa, at an event to recognize the winner of the World Food Prize, the U.N. News Centre reports.

20 Oct 2012

Kaiser Permanente Research Affiliates receives prestigious designation from AHRQ

A new research collaboration led by Kaiser Permanente has received a prestigious designation from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to serve of as one of the nation's 11 Evidence-based Practice Centers.

20 Oct 2012

UNDP releases report examining impact of laws regarding sex work, effectiveness of HIV response

The UNDP on Thursday released a report, titled "Sex Work and the Law," which "examines 48 countries in Asia and the Pacific to assess laws, legal policies and law enforcement practices that affect the human rights of sex workers and impact on the effectiveness of HIV responses," according to a UNDP press release.

20 Oct 2012

Older antibiotic shows success in treating drug-resistant TB in small study

"An antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections showed promise at treating a highly drug-resistant and deadly form of tuberculosis [TB]," according to a study conducted by U.S. government and South Korean researchers and published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, Reuters reports (Steenhuysen, 10/17).

20 Oct 2012

Many factors contribute to high number of abortions in China, scholars say

The New York Times' "IHT Rendezvous" blog examines factors contributing to the more than 13 million abortions that occur in China every year, the highest number of any country worldwide.

20 Oct 2012

Most compounding pharmacies are not accredited

News outlets, following the story about a deadly meningitis outbreak linked to drugs provided by a compounding pharmacy, explore the issue of accreditation, how many more people are at risk and what leads doctors to use these drugs.

20 Oct 2012

Drospirenone-containing birth control pills associated with increased risk of blood clots

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration-funded study led by the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research found an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (ATE) and venous thromboembolic events (VTE) - commonly referred to as blockage of arteries and blood clots, respectively - associated with drospirenone-containing birth control pills compared to four low-dose estrogen combined hormonal contraceptives.

20 Oct 2012

Some Democratic congressional candidates make hay with little-noticed health law provision

Also in the headlines: a variety of reports on House and Senate races from across the country including some key House races in California, New York, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Illinois; as well as Senate contests in Connecticut, Missouri, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

20 Oct 2012

Some states still on fence on Medicaid expansion; 'BadgerCare Plus' providers complain about rates in Wis.

President Barack Obama's health care law would expand the number of people on Medicaid by raising the income ceiling for eligibility, but some states aren't so sure they want to participate because they are worried they might not be able to ultimately put up their share of funding.

20 Oct 2012