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Pregnant women veterans face increase risk of mental health problems

Pregnancy among women veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan appears to increase their risk for mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a study published in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The paper is available free online.

22 Dec 2010

Prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation increases intellectual, motor function in children

In developing countries where iron deficiency is prevalent, prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation increased offspring intellectual and motor functioning during school age, according to researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

22 Dec 2010

Exercise and Vitamin D supplementation most effective in reducing fall among seniors

A systematic review of over 50 clinical trials finds that exercise and Vitamin D supplements are the best ways to reduce the risk of falling in people aged 65 and over. The review is published in the December 21 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and was commissioned by the US Preventive Services Task Force.

22 Dec 2010

Tap water cancer chemical detected

A new analysis has revealed a potential carcinogen in the tap water of 31 U.S. cities and experts are looking for ways to reduce exposure of the communities. The chemical called hexavalent chromium, got public attention in the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich” and has been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals by the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health.

21 Dec 2010

Working more closely with community will make research more meaningful, say Johns Hopkins faculty

A survey conducted by Johns Hopkins faculty found strong support among their peers for working more closely with the minority, inner-city community that surrounds the institution. Overall, 91 percent of faculty responders said closer ties make research more relevant to those it ultimately serves, and 87 percent said it improves the quality of research.

21 Dec 2010

Country must make wise choices in preventing infections, says study on future of AIDS in Cambodia

Despite Cambodia's remarkable history in driving down HIV infections, a report released today on the future of AIDS in the country argues that future success is not guaranteed and the government needs to focus increasingly on wise prevention tactics and assume more of the financing of its AIDS program.

21 Dec 2010

Halt Medical presents results of Halt Fibroid Study at NIH Global Fibroid Congress

Women suffering from uterine fibroids, a debilitating condition that affects more than seven million women in the U.S., may soon have reason for hope. Halt Medical, a biomedical company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is developing a minimally invasive procedure for treating the condition. The company recently presented their findings from studies in Latin America at the NIH Global Fibroid Congress.

21 Dec 2010

Recent study finds racial and ethnic minority smokers of menthol cigarettes have lower quit rate

Menthol cigarettes may be harder to quit, particularly for some teens and African-Americans, who have the highest menthol cigarette use, according to a study by a team of researchers.

21 Dec 2010

Motivational interviewing may not be an ideal treatment choice for smoking-cessation

Motivational interviewing, a popular counseling technique for many addictive behaviors, might not be the ideal treatment choice for those who smoke cigarettes.

21 Dec 2010

Inconsistent, incomplete labeling of alcoholic beverages taking health, safety toll on drinkers

The National Consumers League (NCL) has once again called on the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to issue a final rule to improve alcohol beverage labeling.

21 Dec 2010

Obstetrics and Gynecology: One third of pregnant women are not screened for gestational diabetes

Nearly one third of pregnant women are not being screened by a simple laboratory test for gestational diabetes mellitus (gestational diabetes), according to a study of more than 900,000 American women published online today in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

From Quest Diagnostics 21 Dec 2010

Cholera deaths in Haiti top 2,500, health ministry says

The Haitian health ministry on Sunday said there had been 2,535 cholera deaths since the outbreak hit in mid-October, "dashing hopes the fatality rate might be beginning to taper off," Agence France-Presse reports.

21 Dec 2010

New CPT code for use with T-SPOT.TB test

Oxford Immunotec, Inc. announces that a new and specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code has been established by the American Medical Association for use with the T-SPOT®.TB test. The new Category I code, 86481, is described as "Tuberculosis test, cell mediated immunity antigen response measurement; enumeration of gamma interferon-producing T-cells in cell suspension." This new code will be effective as of January 1, 2011.

21 Dec 2010

Treatment with acid-suppressive drugs associated with increased risk of pneumonia

Using acid suppressive medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine2 receptor antagonists, may increase the risk of developing pneumonia, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

21 Dec 2010

Echinacea may have minimal impact in relieving common cold

An over-the-counter herbal treatment believed to have medicinal benefits has minimal impact in relieving the common cold, according to research by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.

21 Dec 2010

New study finds racial, ethnic disparities in cancer treatment

Black people with early stage liver cancer were more likely than white patients to die from their disease, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

21 Dec 2010

Hutchinson Center's tips for weight loss in the new year

Losing weight is at the top of many a New Year's resolution list. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough exercise, what else can one do to make sure those good intentions have a lasting impact throughout the year?

21 Dec 2010

AHF calls on Sen. Nelson to address Florida's AIDS drug crisis

On Monday, December 20 at 6:00 PM, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host a town hall and public forum at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center calling on U.S. Senator Bill Nelson to immediately address Florida's AIDS drug crisis which has left nearly 2,400 patients without access to lifesaving AIDS medications. Town hall attendees will include AIDS advocates, patients, healthcare professionals, community leaders and concerned citizens.

20 Dec 2010

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

Exciting advances were made in 2010 in virtually every field of MS research. Progress toward finding new therapies for MS is illustrated by the availability of the first oral disease-modifying therapy for MS. Progress was also made toward finding ways to restore function and improving quality of life and specific MS symptoms through exercise, meditation, rehabilitation and medications, including the first therapy specifically approved to treat a symptom of MS (Ampyra).

20 Dec 2010

New communication toolkit could improve information and advice on emerging food risks

Improvements in the delivery of information and advice on emerging food risks could lead to fewer food-related illnesses, a reduction in economic losses related to food scares, and improved consumer confidence in foods.

20 Dec 2010

Public Health News and Research

Pregnant women veterans face increase risk of mental health problems

Prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation increases intellectual, motor function in children

Exercise and Vitamin D supplementation most effective in reducing fall among seniors

Tap water cancer chemical detected

Working more closely with community will make research more meaningful, say Johns Hopkins faculty

Country must make wise choices in preventing infections, says study on future of AIDS in Cambodia

Halt Medical presents results of Halt Fibroid Study at NIH Global Fibroid Congress

Recent study finds racial and ethnic minority smokers of menthol cigarettes have lower quit rate

Motivational interviewing may not be an ideal treatment choice for smoking-cessation

Inconsistent, incomplete labeling of alcoholic beverages taking health, safety toll on drinkers

Obstetrics and Gynecology: One third of pregnant women are not screened for gestational diabetes

Cholera deaths in Haiti top 2,500, health ministry says

New CPT code for use with T-SPOT.TB test

Treatment with acid-suppressive drugs associated with increased risk of pneumonia

Echinacea may have minimal impact in relieving common cold

New study finds racial, ethnic disparities in cancer treatment

Hutchinson Center's tips for weight loss in the new year

AHF calls on Sen. Nelson to address Florida's AIDS drug crisis

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

New communication toolkit could improve information and advice on emerging food risks

News Medical 2025: Healthcare Shifts That Mattered Most eBook

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

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