Public Health News and Research

RSS

Smoking cessation messages miss Asian Americans

Cigarettes are a particular problem among Asian-American immigrants, where smoking has been estimated to be more than 10 percent above the national average.

6 Jun 2006

Hydrophobic statins not associated with increased breast cancer risk

A report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who took statins--the widely used cholesterol lowering drugs--do not face an increased breast cancer risk as had been suggested by some previous studies.

6 Jun 2006

The science of sex and gender in human health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH), in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women's Health (OWH), have announces the launch of a new online course, "The Science of Sex and Gender in Human Health."

5 Jun 2006

Robins are the vector for West Nile virus not crows

GenoMed has underscored the discovery by Connecticut scientists that robins are the vector for West Nile virus in their state, not crows.

5 Jun 2006

Milstein gift seeks cure for antibiotic-resistant TB and malaria

A $7.25 million gift to Weill Medical College of Cornell University will establish the Abby and Howard P. Milstein Chemistry Core Facility and the Abby and Howard P. Milstein Program in Chemical Biology.

5 Jun 2006

HHS awards BioShield contract heptavalent botulism antitoxin

HHS has awarded a contract to the Cangene Corporation in the amount of $362,641,105 for 200,000 doses of Heptavalent Botulism Antitoxin.

5 Jun 2006

Moderate alcohol intake helps women think

Research involving more than 7,000 older women found that those who drink a moderate amount of alcohol have slightly higher levels of mental function than non-drinkers, particularly in verbal abilities.

1 Jun 2006

Shortages of specific medicines and supplies in Indonesia

The emergency continues in Indonesia, as World Health Organization (WHO) works with authorities work to provide medical care to survivors, to acquire the right kinds of medicines and equipment.

1 Jun 2006

WHO bird flu situation update

Indonesian health authorities and WHO have further strengthened their response to the family cluster of cases in Kubu Simbelang village, Karo District, North Sumatra.

31 May 2006

More smokers roll their own under the delusion they are safer

According to a survey of 1,000 smokers in the UK one in four smokers believe that hand-rolled tobacco presents less risk to health than manufactured cigarettes.

31 May 2006

Urgent changes are needed at the World Health Organization

Urgent changes are needed at the World Health Organization (WHO) to revitalise its role as global public-health agency

30 May 2006

Evidence indicates rising use of non-cigarette tobacco products among youth, especially girls

The World Health Organization is urging governments to broaden tobacco control efforts in view of the rapid spread and growing variety of smoked and smokeless tobacco products, and increasing use of these products by young people who may be unaware of their harmful effects.

30 May 2006

Spacers versus nebulisers for treatment of acute asthma

Two treatment methods for asthma attacks - spacers and nebulizers - are equally effective in staving off hospital admissions, a new review shows. However, at least for children, spacers mean shorter stays in emergency departments.

29 May 2006

Lowering blood pressure does not appear to prevent cognitive or dementia-related disorders

Lowering blood pressure does not appear to prevent cognitive or dementia-related disorders, a desired effect in light of the large number of elderly adults who suffer from both cognitive impairment and hypertension.

29 May 2006

Common household cleaners and air fresheners may lead to health risks

When used indoors under certain conditions, many common household cleaners and air fresheners emit toxic pollutants at levels that may lead to health risks.

24 May 2006

Diet mixed alcoholic drinks get you drunker and do it quicker

Many studies have evaluated the risks and benefits of alcohol intake, with some concentrating on potential benefits while others focus on the risks of abuse.

24 May 2006

People who worked with lead have significant loss of brain cells and damage to brain tissue

Eighteen years later, people who worked with lead have significant loss of brain cells and damage to brain tissue, according to a new study published in the May 23, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

23 May 2006