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African American patients less likely to receive medications for parkinsonian symptoms

African American patients and those with lower socioeconomic status have more advanced disease and greater disability when they seek treatment from Parkinson's disease specialists, according to a study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

14 Dec 2010

PenTAG researchers contribute to new NICE guidance on preventing unintentional injury to under-15s

Researchers from the Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG) at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry have contributed to new National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on preventing unintentional injury to the under-15s.

14 Dec 2010

New theory explains spread of infectious diseases

New research using human-networking theory may give a clearer picture of just how, exactly, infectious diseases such as the common cold, influenza, whooping cough and SARS can spread through a closed group of people, and even through populations at large.

14 Dec 2010

EU, India talks end with resolution on drug seizures, little progress on free trade agreement

"The European Union and India resolved a dispute over generic drugs on Friday which should remove obstacles to Indian drugs manufacturers exporting products to the developing world, officials said," Reuters reports in an article that describes the customs regulations previously in place that led "to numerous seizures of generic drugs shipments in transit from India to countries in South America via Europe."

14 Dec 2010

Fat or obese – What’s in a name?

The question of whether the term ‘fat’ is more appropriate than ‘obese’ was raised in an Australian study that confirmed the former is the “lesser of two evils”. The study from University of NSW study which looked at public perceptions surrounding these words has found that, while both are unwelcome, obese was viewed more negatively.

13 Dec 2010

Quality of care for ADHD children poor under Medicaid, says new report

Whatever its final incarnation, the recently enacted landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will expand Medicaid eligibility and is expected by 2013 to provide coverage, including mental health care, to an estimated 4.1 million children currently uninsured.

13 Dec 2010

Origin of Haiti cholera epidemic traced to South Asia

The strain of cholera currently sweeping through post-earthquake Haiti originated in South Asia, conclude scientists who did a rapid genetic analysis of bacteria collected from Haitian patients. The finding supports the notion that the cholera bacteria fueling the outbreak arrived on the island via recent visitors.

13 Dec 2010

OraSure commences enrollment in final study for FDA approval of OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 OTC test

OraSure Technologies, Inc., the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, announced today that it has enrolled the first subject in its final phase of clinical studies for United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval of the Company's OraQuick® Rapid HIV-1/2 test for sale in the U.S. consumer or over-the-counter ("OTC") market.

13 Dec 2010

No safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke

The following is a statement by Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, President and CEO of Legacy on the U.S. Surgeon General's Report:

13 Dec 2010

Higher co-payments lead to early discontinuation of life-saving therapy for breast cancer

A higher prescription co-payment, especially among older women, is associated with both early discontinuation and incomplete use of adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy, a life-saving therapy for women with hormone sensitive early stage breast cancer.

13 Dec 2010

New DNA-based testing technology for tuberculosis treatment

The driving force behind the rapid tuberculosis test that received World Health Organization endorsement this week is Dr. David Alland, chief of the Division of Infectious Disease at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.

13 Dec 2010

Lowering legal drinking age would be ineffective in reducing binge drinking in colleges

Although presidents at some U.S. colleges have argued that lowering the minimum legal drinking age could help curb binge drinking on campuses, a new study in the January issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests such a measure would be ineffective.

13 Dec 2010

Study finds Haitian cholera strain resembles one from South Asia, carries mutation that increases severity

"Detailed genetic tests confirm that the cholera strain that has killed more than 2,000 people in Haiti came from South Asia and most closely resembles a strain circulating in Bangladesh," according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Reuters reports (12/9).

13 Dec 2010

FDA issues final guidance for public's comments at advisory committee meetings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued final guidance for people who wish to comment during the agency's advisory committee meetings. The guidance provides instructions on how to request a time to speak and how FDA staff should respond to requests to speak at the meetings.

13 Dec 2010

Research programs embody the promise of anti-aging medicine.

Sometimes the value of research lies as much in exposing false remedies as in discovering true breakthroughs. Scientists at the country's first school of gerontology and in laboratories around the University of Southern California do both, mindful of their responsibility to a society focused on healthful aging.

13 Dec 2010

Cesarean-section deliveries may lead to degenerative back disease

Researchers from Michigan State University are studying whether pregnancies, specifically cesarean-section deliveries, are linked to a degenerative back disease that affects women three to nine times more often than men.

13 Dec 2010

e-cigarettes – Debate rages around globe

Following misleading advice that ‘e-cigarettes’ are a “healthy way” to quit smoking, thousands of smokers are switching to these electronic cigarettes. According to the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and anti-smoking groups these smokeless, battery-powered e-cigarettes packed with nicotine have not been tested for safety and could pose a serious health risk. Electronic cigarettes contain an inhaler, an atomiser and nicotine suspended in propylene glycol and water. At present they are banned in NSW and Victoria but overseas suppliers sell them online.

12 Dec 2010

Medication for depression ended before recommended time

Swedish women's use of antidepressants is twice as high as that of Swedish men. However, among both female and male new users, one fifth fills only one prescription. "This can be an indication of choices being made to end treatment before the recommended time," says researcher Karolina Andersson Sundell at the Nordic School of Public Health.

10 Dec 2010

HRT with estrogen alone may reduce risk of breast cancer: Study

While endogenous estrogen (i.e., estrogen produced by ovaries and by other tissues) does have a well-known carcinogenic impact, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) utilizing estrogen alone (the exogenous estrogen) provides a protective effect in reducing breast cancer risk, according to study results presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8-12.

10 Dec 2010

Social activities most promising in prevention of depression among older adults

Interventions focused on social activities significantly decrease depressive symptoms among older adults. This is the results from a recent study.

10 Dec 2010

Public Health News and Research

African American patients less likely to receive medications for parkinsonian symptoms

PenTAG researchers contribute to new NICE guidance on preventing unintentional injury to under-15s

New theory explains spread of infectious diseases

EU, India talks end with resolution on drug seizures, little progress on free trade agreement

Fat or obese – What’s in a name?

Quality of care for ADHD children poor under Medicaid, says new report

Origin of Haiti cholera epidemic traced to South Asia

OraSure commences enrollment in final study for FDA approval of OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 OTC test

No safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke

Higher co-payments lead to early discontinuation of life-saving therapy for breast cancer

New DNA-based testing technology for tuberculosis treatment

Lowering legal drinking age would be ineffective in reducing binge drinking in colleges

Study finds Haitian cholera strain resembles one from South Asia, carries mutation that increases severity

FDA issues final guidance for public's comments at advisory committee meetings

Research programs embody the promise of anti-aging medicine.

Cesarean-section deliveries may lead to degenerative back disease

e-cigarettes – Debate rages around globe

Medication for depression ended before recommended time

HRT with estrogen alone may reduce risk of breast cancer: Study

Social activities most promising in prevention of depression among older adults

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