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Smoking during pregnancy lowers offspring's HDL cholesterol, greater risk of heart disease later

Scientists said on Tuesday that mothers who smoke while pregnant are causing changes to their unborn babies that can lead them to have less of a type of cholesterol known to protect against heart disease.

22 Jun 2011

U.S. Tobacco label regulations tightened (warning graphic pictures)

Come September 2012, half of the front of all cigarette packages will have to carry graphic images of dead bodies, decaying teeth and a man exhaling smoke through a hole in his neck, the United States health officials announced on Tuesday.

22 Jun 2011

U.S. FDA unveils nine graphic health warnings on cigarette packages

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unveiled the nine graphic health warnings required to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States and in every cigarette advertisement.

21 Jun 2011

FDA confirms printed prescription drug ads affect consumer understanding of medications

Findings from three studies conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirm that the way information is conveyed and displayed in printed drug advertising affects consumer understanding of prescription medications.

21 Jun 2011

FDA's draft guidance document addresses artificial pancreas system for type 1 diabetes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued draft guidance that will help advance the development and approval of an artificial pancreas system to treat type 1 diabetes in the United States.

21 Jun 2011

U.S. FDA approves generic Levaquin for treatment of bacterial infections

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic versions of Levaquin, an antibiotic approved to treat certain infections in people ages 18 and older.

21 Jun 2011

Adult-focused programs also reduce smoking among adolescents

When governments use comprehensive, well-funded tobacco control programs to reduce adult smoking, they also reduce smoking among adolescents. This bonus effect is an important factor to consider as policymakers face pressure to reduce spending on anti-smoking programs.

21 Jun 2011

FDA's new strategy calls for coalitions of international regulators, increased data sharing

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today unveiled a new strategy to meet the challenges posed by rapidly rising imports of FDA-regulated products and a complex global supply chain in a report called the "Pathway to Global Product Safety and Quality."

20 Jun 2011

Health insurance does not protect Arizonans from experiencing medical debt

Health insurance is not protecting Arizonans from having problems paying medical bills, and having bill problems is keeping families from getting needed medical care and prescription medicines, a new study has found.

18 Jun 2011

PDA urges public to undergo screening for oral cancer

Oral cancer claims more lives than leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, or skin cancer. In 2010, approximately 36,540 Americans were diagnosed with this largely preventable type of cancer that affects the mouth and throat; 7,880 died of the disease. Early detection is essential to dramatically reduce the number of deaths from oral cancer.

18 Jun 2011

Tobacco promotion banned in Queensland stores

Queensland stores are directed to refrain from openly displaying cigarettes and other tobacco products. Under laws introduced on Thursday, all retail advertising and promotion of tobacco and other smoking-related products will be banned.

17 Jun 2011

White House focuses on prevention with release of national strategy

Described as a way to improve the nation's prosperity, the Obama administration announced a sweeping plan to emphasize health promotion and disease prevention for all walks of life.

17 Jun 2011

Most US counties are falling behind in life expectancy

While people in Japan, Canada, and other nations are enjoying significant gains in life expectancy every year, most counties within the United States are falling behind, according to a new study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

17 Jun 2011

HHS announces funding opportunity for national networks of community-based organizations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a funding opportunity for national networks of community-based organizations to apply for more than $4 million in cooperative agreements.

17 Jun 2011

Bristol-Myers Squibb receives FDA approval for Nulojix to prevent organ rejection after kidney transplant

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Nulojix to prevent acute rejection in adult patients who have had a kidney transplant. The drug is approved for use with other immunosuppressants -- specifically basiliximab, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids.

16 Jun 2011

Ventana Medical receives FDA approval for new breast cancer genetic test

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new genetic test that will help health care professionals determine if women with breast cancer are HER2-positive and, therefore, candidates for Herceptin, a commonly used breast cancer treatment.

15 Jun 2011

Penn State receives NIH grant to improve public health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Penn State, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and Penn State College of Medicine a $27.3 million, five-year grant designed to accelerate the translation of scientific discovery into methods for improving public health.

15 Jun 2011

Exposure to cigarettes fosters tween smoking: New study

Exposure to secondhand smoke can create symptoms of nicotine dependence in non-smoking preteens, according to a new study from Concordia University and the University of Montreal.

14 Jun 2011

Smoking ban in NSW prison

In a new directive, prisoners at the Lithgow jail in central western New South Wales will be banned from smoking in their cells as part of a six-month trial to begin next year.

13 Jun 2011

Survey reveals increase in drinking, cannabis use and psychological distress

The latest survey of Ontario adults from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows increasing rates of daily drinking and cannabis use and high levels of psychological distress. The results of the 2009 CAMH Monitor survey, the longest running survey tracking mental health and addiction indicators among adults in Ontario, were published today.

13 Jun 2011