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Broad coalition supports inclusion of new bill in the Minnesota legislature

A measure to make roads safer and more accessible for all Minnesotans – regardless of age or ability or whether traveling by car, bus, bike or on foot – was introduced into the Minnesota legislature today. The "Complete Streets" bills, SF 2461 and HF 2801, are supported by a broad coalition of health, family, environment, senior, and transportation advocates who attended an afternoon press conference.

9 Feb 2010

Study: Medicare bladder cancer treatment policy raises health costs

Reuters: "Medicare's move in 2005 to pay doctors to do bladder cancer surgery in their offices rather than in hospitals dramatically raised the number of procedures and overall health costs, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

9 Feb 2010

Sebelius urges Anthem Blue Cross to justify rate hike

Los Angeles Times: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius "called on Anthem Blue Cross on Monday to justify its controversial new rate hikes of as much as 39% for individual policyholders." Sebelius "voiced concerns" in a letter to Anthem's president. The new rates "go into effect March 1 for many of the insurer's estimated 800,000 individual policyholders" (Helfand, 2/8).

9 Feb 2010

Saint Louis University offers strategies for accomplishing goals

Olympic athletes inspire us with their fierce discipline and natural talent as they smash records, going higher, further and faster. Their can-do spirit encourages us all to take on new challenges.

6 Feb 2010

Study finds some vegetative patients show awareness, raising ethical questions

"In a study certain to rekindle debate over life-sustaining care for those with grievous brain injuries, researchers report that five patients thought to be in a persistent vegetative state showed brain activity indicating awareness, intent and, in at least one case, a wish to communicate," The Los Angeles Times reports.

5 Feb 2010

Results from three phase two studies show the effectiveness of Tanezumab

Tanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets nerve-growth factor, reduced pain in three common pain conditions, according to the results from three phase two studies presented today in a single poster at the American Academy of Pain Medicine's 26th Annual Meeting.

4 Feb 2010

AMPYRA for MS: Acorda Therapeutics announces wholesale pricing and patient assistance program

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets will be $1,056 per 30-day supply (60-count pill bottle), an annual cost of $12,850. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is expected to be available in March 2010.

3 Feb 2010

Patient-specific knee resurfacing implants now available for Inland Empire residents

Inland Empire residents suffering from knee pain can finally take a sigh of relief thanks to the availability of minimally traumatic, patient-specific knee resurfacing implants.

3 Feb 2010

Women's metabolic disorder remains largely undiagnosed

Gail Donnelly's classmates nicknamed her "Knobby" because she was so skinny all her bones seemed to poke out from under her skin. But when Donnelly turned 27, that once knobby frame disappeared under mysteriously ballooning weight.

2 Feb 2010

New approach may help in fighting Cerebral Palsy

On average, a child is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy every hour of every day in the United States. It's a disease that can affect everything from a child's vision to their ability to walk. Therapy for these kids is tough and frustrating as this is a chronic health condition.

2 Feb 2010

Obama's budget to boost Medicaid funding, broaden global health approach

President Obama's budget proposal tops $3.8 trillion, and would draw a $1.3 trillion shortfall in 2011 despite efforts to freeze and cut spending and channel an extra $100 billion to immediately attack the high unemployment rate, The Washington Post reports.

2 Feb 2010

Obesity related health complications more dangerous than risks associated with bariatric surgery

Bariatric weight-loss surgery may sound dangerous and complicated, but a Geisinger physician warns that the real danger may be a life of obesity.

30 Jan 2010

Surgeons have a lower preference for back surgery than family doctors

Surgeons are less likely than family physicians or patients to view surgery as the preferred treatment option for low back pain, according to a study in the January 1 issue of Spine.

29 Jan 2010

Arthritis pain relief drug ALEVE now available OTC in British Columbia

This winter, British Columbians may be inspired to increase their activity level and take part in some favourite winter pastimes. For those who have joint and arthritis pain, getting back to doing the activities they love may be more of a challenge. ALEVE(R) is the first over-the-counter naproxen sodium tablet, and is now available province-wide. With just one pill, ALEVE(R) offers convenient access to pain relief for up to 12 hours.

29 Jan 2010

APF survey reveals breakthrough cancer pain causes medical and financial hardships for cancer patients

A new survey released today by the American Pain Foundation (APF) reveals that breakthrough cancer pain — sudden, temporary flares of severe pain that occur even when pain medication is used — is one of the most challenging aspects of having cancer, according to three out of four (75 percent) U.S. adults who have ever been diagnosed with cancer and experience this type of pain.

29 Jan 2010

Regis Technologies' 4-Aminopyridine manufacturing facility receives FDA's EIR and PAI approval

Regis Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of cGMP and non-GMP synthesis and separations services for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates, announced it has received an Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that Regis passed the FDA’s pre-approval inspection (PAI) for its manufacture of 4-Aminopyridine the active ingredient in Ampyra™.

29 Jan 2010

State budget news from Kansas, Massachusetts and Idaho

Kansas Health Institute reports that the recession is crippling Kansas' safety-net system. "The Kansas unemployment insurance system is virtually broke at a time when Department of Labor officials say they need about $15 million a week to pay benefits to out-of-work Kansans.

29 Jan 2010

Majority of Americans agree monetary stress can negatively affect health

As we enter a new decade with the hope of rebounding from one of the worst economic downturns in our history, a newly commissioned bank study confirms that nearly 90 percent of Americans agree that monetary stress can negatively affect one’s health. Even more women (91 percent) and older adults (92 percent of those 45 and older) link stress to concerns over money.

28 Jan 2010

Power-generating rubber films could harness natural body movements

Power-generating rubber films developed by Princeton University engineers could harness natural body movements such as breathing and walking to power pacemakers, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

28 Jan 2010

Trial results show primary care doctors are capable of helping obese patients to lose weight

Despite a general belief among physicians that extreme obesity is too difficult to treat, except with bariatric surgery, researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center have learned a substantial proportion of individuals with extreme obesity can lose 10-percent or more of their body weight through medical treatment that does not include surgery.

27 Jan 2010