Public Health News and Research

RSS

CSL Biotherapies initiates clinical trials of Influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine in the US

CSL Biotherapies has announced the initiation of the company’s first U.S. clinical trials of its candidate Influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine. Study investigators will administer vaccinations to the first U.S. study volunteers today, August 24. The studies will determine the safety of CSL’s candidate vaccine and its ability to elicit an immune response (also referred to as immunogenicity) in adults and children.

24 Aug 2009

National campaign to educate people with developmental disabilities about protection from germs

The Tech-Aid Institute, http://www.techaidinstitute.com, is launching a national campaign to educate people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities about how to protect themselves from germs that include the 2009 flu pandemic that is commonly known as the Swine (H1N1) Flu.

24 Aug 2009

Recent releases: limiting corruption; mental health; U.S. global health policies; non-physician administered ARV; African health ministers

A Lancet Infectious Diseases Reflection and Reaction piece says while PEPFAR's "investment of over US$228 million into Mozambique in 2008 alone" resulted in "an exponential increase in the number of people on" ARVs and boosted prevention programs, "[t]here is more money available for HIV/AIDS than can reasonably be spent, especially given Mozambique's poor infrastructure and large geographical area. Unfortunately, one side-effect has been an associated increase in corruption." To maximize aid money and limit corruption, "careful and creative resource management will be needed," the author concludes (Johnson, 9/09).

24 Aug 2009

New study identifies smoking as a risk factor for active TB

Smoking is a risk factor for active tuberculosis (TB) disease, according to a new study on TB incidence in Taiwan.

24 Aug 2009

What role for government in promoting wellness?

"Of the eight goals for health care reform laid out in President Obama's 2010 budget, just one has more to do with patients than with providers or insurers: 'Investing in prevention and wellness,'" the National Journal reports.

24 Aug 2009

Research study conducted to analyze long-term patterns in weight-related activities

Despite mounting public health concerns about obesity and persistent social pressures dictating that slim is beautiful, young women in their '20s consistently exercise less than young men.

24 Aug 2009

The California Chronic Care Coalition launches new website to share information on chronic conditions

The California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC) continues to advance its work toward meaningful and responsible health care reform with the launching of its consumer website: www.chroniccareca.org. Designed to help build a healthier California, the website is aimed at the more than 16 million Californians with chronic conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s Heart disease, Epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis.

24 Aug 2009

Chicago health conference to focus on health care reforms and expandng access to care for the uninsured and jobless during recession

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be among top federal officials to address a national conference of Community, Migrant and Homeless Health Center representatives from across the country.

24 Aug 2009

Lancet examines dengue fever in Mexico

Lancet World Report examines the factors contributing to a steady uptick in the number of dengue fever cases in Mexico over the past decade. Compared to the year 2000, when "there were 1,781 reported cases … Last year, the number totalled 33,000, according to Mexico's Public Health Department. And confirmed cases this year have already surpassed 2008 figures by 15%," according to the journal.

24 Aug 2009

Adamas Pharmaceuticals forges agreement with U.S. Naval Health Research Center for evaluating triple combination antiviral drug

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company, announced today that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Naval Health Research Center for preclinical studies evaluating Adamas' triple combination antiviral drug (TCAD) therapy for influenza A, including novel influenza A/H1N1. TCAD therapy includes Adamas' investigational proprietary fixed-dose oral combination drug, to be administered adjunctively with a neuraminidase inhibitor, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate, Roche).

22 Aug 2009

Clinical grade stem cells to be manufactured by Stemedica as it awaits FDA approval of an IND to commence clinical trials

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. USA, a leader in adult stem cell research and manufacturing, has requested a pre-Investigational New Drug (IND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") to discuss a proposed IND to use Stemedica's proprietary line of allogeneic mesenchymal bone marrow cells (adult human) as a treatment for ischemic stroke.

21 Aug 2009

Physicians lack knowledge of off-label drug use and FDA approval status

In a recent national survey, a substantial minority of physicians erroneously believed that certain off-label uses of prescription drugs were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This mistaken belief could encourage them to prescribe these drugs, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such use.

21 Aug 2009

Smoke free hospital campuses in USA by end of 2009

A new study from The Joint Commission projects that a majority of U.S. hospitals will have a smoke-free campus by the end of 2009. The study, "The Adoption of Smoke-Free Hospital Campuses in the United States," appears in the latest online issue of Tobacco Control, a British Medical Journal Group publication.

21 Aug 2009

New book reveals information on the occurrence and spread of rabies in bats

Bat Rabies is intended for scientists and the general public. Dr. Constantine presents the material in a simple, straightforward manner that serves both audiences. The book, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, was published with the goal of increasing public understanding of rabies and the often misunderstood bat, and providing a balanced perspective on the risk of bat rabies to people.

21 Aug 2009

The Gerontologist discusses perceptions of different groups about cognitive health

A new special issue of The Gerontologist has identified for the first time how ethnically, culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse groups think about aging and brain health.

21 Aug 2009

Newspapers examine debate over affordable drugs in developing countries

The Los Angeles Times examines how "activists in Washington, and Thailand and other developing countries are accusing the Obama administration of endangering access to affordable drugs to fight AIDS and other epidemic diseases."

21 Aug 2009

New study reveals that influenza vaccination may prevent inappropriate antibiotic use

We all know that influenza vaccination helps prevent disease, but a new study from Canada suggests it may also prevent another public health problem: inappropriate antibiotic use. The findings come from a new study in the September 1, 2009 issue of Clinical Infectious Disease, which is now available online.

21 Aug 2009

Research reveals smokeless tobacco users at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke

People who use smokeless tobacco products like snus have a slightly higher risk of having a fatal heart attack or stroke, according to research published on bmj.com today.

21 Aug 2009

Link found between teenage viewership and alcohol advertising on cable television

A new study from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, in collaboration with UCLA, has found a striking correlation between teenage viewership and the frequency of alcohol advertising on cable television. The findings show that ads for beer, spirits and "alcopop" aired much more frequently when more teens were watching.

21 Aug 2009

Influenza A H1N1 Real Time RT-PCR tests detect RNA of H1N1 influenza virus

Focus Diagnostics, the infectious disease diagnostics business of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, today announced that its Influenza A H1N1 (2009) Real Time RT-PCR test is now available as a test kit for use by "high complexity" clinical laboratories in the U.S.

21 Aug 2009

Public Health News and Research

CSL Biotherapies initiates clinical trials of Influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine in the US

National campaign to educate people with developmental disabilities about protection from germs

Recent releases: limiting corruption; mental health; U.S. global health policies; non-physician administered ARV; African health ministers

New study identifies smoking as a risk factor for active TB

What role for government in promoting wellness?

Research study conducted to analyze long-term patterns in weight-related activities

The California Chronic Care Coalition launches new website to share information on chronic conditions

Chicago health conference to focus on health care reforms and expandng access to care for the uninsured and jobless during recession

Lancet examines dengue fever in Mexico

Adamas Pharmaceuticals forges agreement with U.S. Naval Health Research Center for evaluating triple combination antiviral drug

Clinical grade stem cells to be manufactured by Stemedica as it awaits FDA approval of an IND to commence clinical trials

Physicians lack knowledge of off-label drug use and FDA approval status

Smoke free hospital campuses in USA by end of 2009

New book reveals information on the occurrence and spread of rabies in bats

The Gerontologist discusses perceptions of different groups about cognitive health

Newspapers examine debate over affordable drugs in developing countries

New study reveals that influenza vaccination may prevent inappropriate antibiotic use

Research reveals smokeless tobacco users at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke

Link found between teenage viewership and alcohol advertising on cable television

Influenza A H1N1 Real Time RT-PCR tests detect RNA of H1N1 influenza virus

News Medical 2025: Healthcare Shifts That Mattered Most eBook

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

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

Applications Engineer

Latest News