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Prevention of preterm birth and stillbirth: Global collaborative efforts needed

A new report identifies the enormous global impact of preterm birth and stillbirth—and what can be done to decrease it. Globally, an estimated 13 million babies are born preterm each year. Newborn deaths now account for more than 42 percent of mortality in children under the age of five, a rise from 37 percent in the year 2000. Additionally, an estimated 3.2 million are stillborn each year, and many of these losses are linked to maternal deaths.

23 Feb 2010

Humans can harbor bacteria in gallstones, infect others with active typhoid fever

A new study suggests that the bacteria that cause typhoid fever collect in tiny but persistent communities on gallstones, making the infection particularly hard to fight in so-called "carriers" - people who have the disease but show no symptoms.

23 Feb 2010

Committee calls for strategies to curb hypertension

Public health officials and health care providers need to step up their efforts to reduce Americans' increasing rates of high blood pressure and better treat those with the condition, which triggers more than one-third of heart attacks and almost half of heart failures in the United States each year, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

23 Feb 2010

Melamine-contaminated dairy products leave 12% children with kidney abnormalities

While the majority of children who were affected by consuming toxic melamine-contaminated products in China recovered, kidney abnormalities remained in 12% of the affected children.

23 Feb 2010

Research reveals human Chlamydia pneumoniae has originated from animal source

Animals have been found to have infected humans sometime in the past with the common respiratory disease Chlamydia pneumoniae, according to Queensland University of Technology infectious disease expert Professor Peter Timms.

23 Feb 2010

Haitian President says up to 300,000 people could have died in quake

The major earthquake in January in Haiti could have killed as many as 300,000 people, an estimate that includes bodies buried in the rubble, Haitian President Rene Preval said on Sunday at a meeting of Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Mexico, Reuters reports.

23 Feb 2010

Medicaid cuts hurt Calif. dental coverage, drive away doctors in Okla; Public hospitals in NYC fear possible reductions

NPR: "In California, it's been seven months since some 3 million poor and disabled adults lost their dental coverage to budget cuts. ... While the recession may be easing, California and other states across the country continue to face eye-popping budget deficits. As a result, states are cutting deep into public health programs, and dental benefits for Medicaid recipients top the list. ... Before the state budget cuts, Medicaid patients here could get annual exams, cleanings and, if needed, root canals to save their teeth.

23 Feb 2010

UCI researchers create new breed of flightless mosquitoes for dengue control

UCI researchers and colleagues from Oxitec Ltd. and the University of Oxford created the new breed. Flightless females are expected to die quickly in the wild, curtailing the number of mosquitoes and reducing - or even eliminating - dengue transmission. Males of the strain can fly but do not bite or convey disease.

23 Feb 2010

Study shows hospitals costs vary widely and are not associated with quality of care

The costs that hospitals incur in treating patients vary widely and do not appear to be strongly associated either with the quality of care patients receive or their risk of dying within 30 days, according to a report in the February 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

23 Feb 2010

AAAS meeting examines test-and-treat model's potential for fighting HIV spread, TB co-infection

Researchers speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting on Saturday, discussed how a strategy to promote universal voluntary HIV tests and early antiretroviral treatment for patients living in high-risk areas might "derail the spread of [HIV/]AIDS, a battle where a successful vaccine remains elusive," the Associated Press/Washington Post reports

23 Feb 2010

UIC researchers receive federal grant to study effects of TV media on children’s health outcomes

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago Institute for Health Research and Policy have received a $2.2 million federal grant to determine whether or not TV food advertising affects children's diet, physical activity and weight.

22 Feb 2010

Effective e-waste management needed

Issued at a meeting of Basel Convention and other world chemical authorities prior to UNEP's Governing Council meeting in Bali, Indonesia, the report, "Recycling - from E-Waste to Resources," used data from 11 representative developing countries to estimate current and future e-waste generation - which includes old and dilapidated desk and laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo and music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions.

22 Feb 2010

HHS Secretary reviews H1N1 response at NACCHO conference

Thank you, Tom. I also want to thank NACCHO for hosting this important conference and for inviting me to speak here today. Public health is a top priority for this administration. So is strengthening our partnerships across government. So I’m glad I could come talk with you about how we can work together to keep Americans healthy and safe.

22 Feb 2010

CAOT releases new resources to promote safety for older drivers

As part of the National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) has released some important new resources for drivers, their families and health care professionals. A series of information brochures and website (www.olderdriversafety.ca) promoting older driver safety were unveiled today at a public forum held at Ottawa's Good Companions Senior Centre.

22 Feb 2010

Racial differences in beliefs and perceptions of lung cancer

A new survey finds that while both whites and African Americans know and think little about lung cancer, African Americans are more likely to hold beliefs and perceptions about the disease that could interfere with prevention and treatment. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the report indicates that public health messages regarding lung cancer should be targeted to all communities.

22 Feb 2010

Racial disparities in beliefs about lung cancer

A new survey has found that African-Americans are more likely than whites to hold mistaken and fatalistic beliefs about lung cancer, as well as being more reluctant to consult a doctor about possible symptoms of the disease, according to researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and their collaborators.

22 Feb 2010

Cancer pain patients: European regulations restricting access to opioid-based drugs

Many cancer patients in Europe are being denied access to adequate pain relief because of over-zealous regulations restricting the availability and accessibility of opioid-based drugs such as morphine.

22 Feb 2010

Highest assault rates associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption

More alcohol sales sites in a neighborhood equates to more violence, and the highest assault rates are associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption, according to new research released today (Feb. 21) by two Indiana University professors.

22 Feb 2010

Pelosi's statement on insurance premiums and comprehensive health insurance reform

We have all been shocked at recent reports of enormous premium increases and record profits in the health insurance industry, while thousands lose health coverage every day. At a time when millions of families are struggling to make ends meet, insurance company CEOs are asking patients to pay more than ever before in higher co-pays and skyrocketing out-of-pocket expenses.

22 Feb 2010

Roots of many adult diseases sprout in poverty: Scientist to discuss at AAAS meeting

The roots of many adult diseases sprout in poverty and other burdens on the socially disadvantaged. Rockefeller University-s Bruce S. McEwen, a self-described molecular sociologist, will talk about the effects such environmental stressors have on the brain and in turn other organ systems in a talk in San Diego this Friday at the 2010 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

22 Feb 2010

Public Health News and Research

Prevention of preterm birth and stillbirth: Global collaborative efforts needed

Humans can harbor bacteria in gallstones, infect others with active typhoid fever

Committee calls for strategies to curb hypertension

Melamine-contaminated dairy products leave 12% children with kidney abnormalities

Research reveals human Chlamydia pneumoniae has originated from animal source

Haitian President says up to 300,000 people could have died in quake

Medicaid cuts hurt Calif. dental coverage, drive away doctors in Okla; Public hospitals in NYC fear possible reductions

UCI researchers create new breed of flightless mosquitoes for dengue control

Study shows hospitals costs vary widely and are not associated with quality of care

AAAS meeting examines test-and-treat model's potential for fighting HIV spread, TB co-infection

UIC researchers receive federal grant to study effects of TV media on children’s health outcomes

Effective e-waste management needed

HHS Secretary reviews H1N1 response at NACCHO conference

CAOT releases new resources to promote safety for older drivers

Racial differences in beliefs and perceptions of lung cancer

Racial disparities in beliefs about lung cancer

Cancer pain patients: European regulations restricting access to opioid-based drugs

Highest assault rates associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption

Pelosi's statement on insurance premiums and comprehensive health insurance reform

Roots of many adult diseases sprout in poverty: Scientist to discuss at AAAS meeting

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