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In-home test kits help parents lower allergen levels in their homes

In-home test kits, coupled with patient education, help parents reduce allergen levels in their homes, according to scientists from the National Institutes of Health. The researchers found that parents may become more motivated to participate in allergen reduction interventions, when they can actually see results for themselves.

3 Nov 2015

WSU researcher to lead $2.5 million study on impact of Affordable Care Act in people with disabilities

A Washington State University researcher will lead a $2.5 million examination of the federal Affordable Care Act's impact on what may be the largest group in need of its services: people with disabilities.

3 Nov 2015

Bilingual domestic violence conference provides opportunity for leaders supporting Latina and Latino survivors

As domestic violence awareness month drew to a close, the fully bilingual "Voces de la Comunidad" conference provided the opportunity for service providers from across the state to come together and build expertise in supporting Latino/a survivors.

31 Oct 2015

Sun Valley Juice ordered by FDA to cease all operations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ordered Sun Valley Juice Company of Ketchum, Idaho, to stop receiving, processing, preparing, packing, holding, and distributing juice until the agency determines that the company is in compliance with laws and regulations applicable to producing food that is safe.

31 Oct 2015

FDA initiates NTSO actions for retailers who violated certain restrictions on sale of tobacco products

This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration filed complaints initiating the first-ever No-Tobacco-Sale Order (NTSO) actions for a group of retailers who have repeatedly violated certain restrictions on the sale and distribution of tobacco products, including sales to minors. Under the law, the FDA may pursue an NTSO against retailers that have a total of five or more repeated violations of those restrictions during compliance inspections within 36 months.

31 Oct 2015

Single gene variation may influence obesity in children, adults

A single variation in the gene for brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) may influence obesity in children and adults, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

30 Oct 2015

Novartis announces FDA approval of dual combination bronchodilator Utibron Neohaler for COPD patients

Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the dual combination bronchodilator Utibron Neohaler (indacaterol/glycopyrrolate) inhalation powder for the long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It is not indicated to treat asthma or sudden symptoms of COPD.

30 Oct 2015

GDF10 molecule identified as a key player in repair mechanisms after stroke

Looking at brain tissue from mice, monkeys and humans, scientists have found that a molecule known as growth and differentiation factor 10 (GDF10) is a key player in repair mechanisms following stroke. The findings suggest that GDF10 may be a potential therapy for recovery after stroke.

29 Oct 2015

Yervoy approved for patients at high risk of developing recurrence of melanoma after surgery

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approved use of Yervoy (ipilimumab) to include a new use as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage III melanoma, to lower the risk that the melanoma will return following surgery.

29 Oct 2015

Some insurance plans of Affordable Care Act have no in-network physicians in key specialties

In a study of federal marketplace insurance plans, nearly 15 percent completely lacked in-network physicians for at least 1 specialty, a practice found among multiple states and issuers, raising concerns regarding patient access to specialty care, according to a study in the October 27 issue of JAMA.

28 Oct 2015

Imlygic approved for treatment of melanoma lesions in the skin and lymph nodes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Imlygic (talimogene laherparepvec), the first FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy, for the treatment of melanoma lesions in the skin and lymph nodes.

28 Oct 2015

InComm, Pursuant Health partner to promote health risk assessments in Walmart stores

InComm, a leading prepaid product and transaction services company, and Pursuant Health (formerly SoloHealth) announced today a partnership to allow health plans to promote health risk assessments (HRAs) at Pursuant Health kiosks in Walmart stores. Health plans will be able to issue their members branded incentive cards with healthy rewards as part of the completion of the HRA.

27 Oct 2015

New computer model predicts levels of HIV care engagement

A computer model developed by Johns Hopkins health care delivery specialists predicts that strengthening a handful of efforts to keep people with HIV in lifetime care, along with more rigorous testing, would potentially avert a projected 752,000 new HIV infections and 276,000 AIDS deaths in the United States alone over the next 20 years.

27 Oct 2015

Taking steps to prevent, protect against flu

With flu season approaching, parents may be bracing for an outbreak at their children's schools, but adults are also highly susceptible at work and in other public places. Now is the time for families and businesses to take steps to prevent and protect against the flu.

27 Oct 2015

FDA approves Yondelis (trabectedin) for treatment of specific soft tissue sarcomas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Yondelis (trabectedin), a chemotherapy, for the treatment of specific soft tissue sarcomas (STS) – liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma – that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or is advanced (metastatic).

24 Oct 2015

Strensiq approved for treatment of patients with juvenile-onset HPP

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Strensiq (asfotase alfa) as the first approved treatment for perinatal, infantile and juvenile-onset hypophosphatasia (HPP).

24 Oct 2015

Amgen's IMLYGIC receives positive opinion from CHMP for treatment of melanoma

Amgen today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency, has adopted a positive opinion recommending that IMLYGIC (talimogene laherparepvec) be granted approval for the treatment of adults with unresectable melanoma that is regionally or distantly metastatic (Stage IIIB, IIIC and IVM1a) with no bone, brain, lung or other visceral disease.

23 Oct 2015

Researchers reveal why malaria vaccine provides only moderate protection among vaccinated children

Using new, highly sensitive genomic sequencing technology, an international team of researchers has found new biological evidence to help explain why the malaria vaccine candidate RTS,S/AS01 (called RTS,S) provided only moderate protection among vaccinated children during clinical testing.

23 Oct 2015

Chronic diseases increased dramatically among poorest households in Bangladesh, suggests new research

The number of people in Bangladesh dying from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension—long considered diseases of the wealthy because the poor didn't tend to live long enough to develop them—increased dramatically among the nation's poorest households over a 24-year period, suggests new research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

23 Oct 2015

CDC publishes reports on infectious and noninfectious diseases

Beginning with the Oct. 23, 2015, Supplements to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), CDC will publish the summaries of all notifiable conditions – infectious and noninfectious – at the same time.

23 Oct 2015

Health and Human Services News and Research

In-home test kits help parents lower allergen levels in their homes

WSU researcher to lead $2.5 million study on impact of Affordable Care Act in people with disabilities

Bilingual domestic violence conference provides opportunity for leaders supporting Latina and Latino survivors

Sun Valley Juice ordered by FDA to cease all operations

FDA initiates NTSO actions for retailers who violated certain restrictions on sale of tobacco products

Single gene variation may influence obesity in children, adults

Novartis announces FDA approval of dual combination bronchodilator Utibron Neohaler for COPD patients

GDF10 molecule identified as a key player in repair mechanisms after stroke

Yervoy approved for patients at high risk of developing recurrence of melanoma after surgery

Some insurance plans of Affordable Care Act have no in-network physicians in key specialties

Imlygic approved for treatment of melanoma lesions in the skin and lymph nodes

InComm, Pursuant Health partner to promote health risk assessments in Walmart stores

New computer model predicts levels of HIV care engagement

Taking steps to prevent, protect against flu

FDA approves Yondelis (trabectedin) for treatment of specific soft tissue sarcomas

Strensiq approved for treatment of patients with juvenile-onset HPP

Amgen's IMLYGIC receives positive opinion from CHMP for treatment of melanoma

Researchers reveal why malaria vaccine provides only moderate protection among vaccinated children

Chronic diseases increased dramatically among poorest households in Bangladesh, suggests new research

CDC publishes reports on infectious and noninfectious diseases

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