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Foreign Policy examines HIV epidemic in Swaziland

Foreign Policy examines the HIV epidemic in Swaziland, where nearly one-fifth of residents are infected. Because of the country's high per capita infection rate, one might expect HIV to slap you in the face. But there are no buildings collapsed by an HIV earthquake, no towns flooded by an HIV tsunami.

14 Jul 2011

New driving simulator for patient rehabilitation

Clemson University researchers, working with simulation technology company DriveSafety, have developed a new driving simulator designed for patient rehabilitation that now is being used at 11 Army, Navy and Veterans Affairs facilities. The program recently expanded to Europe with the addition of a driving simulator at Charit- Hospital in Berlin, Germany.

14 Jul 2011

Roundup: N.H.'s Planned Parenthood funding dilemma; Calif. prison doc's high pay, little work

The highest-paid state employee in California last year, a prison surgeon who took home $777,423, has a history of mental illness, was fired once for alleged incompetence and has not been allowed to treat an inmate for six years because medical supervisors don't trust his clinical skills. Since July 2005, Dr. Jeffrey Rohlfing has mostly been locked out of his job — on paid leave or fired or fighting his termination — at High Desert State Prison in Susanville, state records show.

14 Jul 2011

Political fault lines in budget discussion

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., appears to be trying to push President Barack Obama in one direction and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is standing firm on Obama's left. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is taking a go-big-or-go-home position on the need to reach a "grand deal" on entitlement cuts and revenue raisers.

14 Jul 2011

New ‘state-by-state’ obesity data released in U.S.

A new report called ‘F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011’ from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shows that Massachusetts has one of the lowest obesity rates in the nation even as obesity rises across the Bay State.

14 Jul 2011

Patient-centered medical home boosts diabetes outcomes, health

A health-care delivery model called patient-centered medical home (PCMH) increased the percentage of diabetes patients who achieved goals that reduced their sickness and death rates, according to health researchers.

14 Jul 2011

Capsules: Tauzin: Home health care is 'not an elective thing'

Today from the Capsules blog: Mary Agnes Carey reports that former House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin has some advice for Republicans who want Medicare beneficiaries to pick up part of the tab for home health services: It won't work.

14 Jul 2011

New Mayo Clinic social network for patients and caregivers

Mayo Clinic has launched a new online social network to connect its global community of patients and caregivers with others who share similar health interests. More than 1,000 members have joined in its first seven days of service.

14 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Prominent Republicans against IPAB; docs defend health law; medical marijuana research

The IPAB has created "immediate uncertainty at hand," says Scott & White Healthcare in central Texas, for their 12 hospitals and more than 800 physicians. Many more organizations and associations have expressed similar concerns and urged me to do what I can to repeal this ill-conceived bureaucratic board. That's why I have introduced the Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act, and why I'm testifying Wednesday on the other side of the Capitol to build support in the House.

14 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 13, 2011

Today's headlines detail the next moves in the ongoing budget discussion, including a "last-choice option" proposed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and reports about how the health industry is lining up against possible cuts.

13 Jul 2011

DEHCO, TCL launch health care LCD TV product

TCL picks DEHCO Commercial to distribute its line of LCD TVs to the health care industry. DEHCO Commercial has combined their HC20 technology with LCD TVs made by TCL.

13 Jul 2011

Many women in war-torn areas unable to obtain family planning services

Many areas of the world are at war and both the conflict and aftermath have dire consequences for the health of people affected. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Conflict and Health reports that while women in war-torn areas want access to family planning, these services are often not available at local hospitals or health centers.

13 Jul 2011

FDA issues draft guidance to promote development of targeted medicines, diagnostics

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a new draft guidance to facilitate the development and review of companion diagnostics – tests used to help health care professionals determine whether a patient with a particular disease or condition should receive a particular drug therapy or how much of the drug to give.

13 Jul 2011

Symposium to raise awareness and increase knowledge of OA among nurses

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting 27 million Americans. In an effort to raise awareness and increase knowledge of OA among the nursing community, Hospital for Special Surgery, the American Journal of Nursing and the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses will present a groundbreaking two-day symposium: "State-of-the-Science in the Prevention and Management of Osteoarthritis" on Thursday, July 14, and Friday, July 15.

13 Jul 2011

If Berwick exits, is quality care 'in jeopardy?'

As Medicare is put under the microscope in the debt-ceiling talks, the clock is running out for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick to be confirmed by Congress.

13 Jul 2011

Malaria parasite uses antibody camouflage to hide

Scientists from Rigshospitalet - Copenhagen University Hospital - and the University of Copenhagen have discovered malaria parasites use a type of antibody camouflage to hide from the immune system in the placentas of pregnant women, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a University of Copenhagen press release states.

13 Jul 2011

NIH grants $70M over five years to help search for HIV cure

NIH announced on Monday it will provide $70 million over five years to three collaborations searching for an HIV/AIDS cure, making it "the largest single investment yet … into finding a way to rid the virus from the body or at least reduce levels to the point that infected people can stop taking anti-HIV drugs - which many researchers until recently viewed as a hopeless quest," ScienceInsider reports.

13 Jul 2011

Obama administration rolls out rule for health exchanges

In a big step to carry out the new health care law, the Obama administration unveiled standards on Monday for insurance marketplaces that will allow individuals, families and small businesses in every state to shop for insurance, compare prices and benefits and buy coverage.

13 Jul 2011

JSPH, Worldwide Clinical Trials partner to meet demands of healthcare reform

Worldwide Clinical Trials Inc., a leading, global provider of clinical research services, and Thomas Jefferson University's School of Population Health (JSPH), under the direction of David B. Nash, MD, MBA, today announced that they have entered into an alliance to provide pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients with a broad range of outcomes research services including comparative effectiveness, burden of illness, and quality of life studies.

13 Jul 2011

Family planning essential for meeting world population's needs

"I'd like to pose the question: what more must we do to ensure the health, nutritional, and educational needs of all seven billion are met?" Scott Radloff, director of USAID's Office of Population and Reproductive Health, writes about World Population Day on the agency's "IMPACTblog."

13 Jul 2011