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U.N. Secretary-General calls for countries to assess global nuclear safety in light of Japan reactor crisis

In light of the situation in Japan "where an earthquake and tsunami crippled an aging atomic power station," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday said international nuclear safety standards should be reassessed, Reuters reports.

29 Mar 2011

UC San Diego student to make medical imaging available in low-income countries

Benjamin Johnson, a fourth-year student at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine is determined to make medical imaging technology widely available in low-income countries. His journey started in Uganda, where currently just 35 local radiologists serve the needs of 30 million people.

29 Mar 2011

Economist articles examine agriculture, nutrition issues

In an article examining the relationship between health and agriculture, the Economist writes that while agricultural growth is "no magic solution" to helping people gain access to nutritious foods, "farming ought to be especially good for nutrition."

29 Mar 2011

Study: No increase in abnormal mammogram results after breast 'lipomodeling'

Lipomodeling—a relatively new approach to breast augmentation in which fat is transferred to the breasts from other parts of the body—doesn't interfere with routine screening mammograms, reports a study in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

29 Mar 2011

Anti-hunger leaders fast to protest proposed spending cuts as FY11 budget debate resolution appears elusive

Leaders from "five anti-hunger organizations on Monday will lead open-ended fasts to protest proposed cuts to domestic and international food programs contained in the House-passed six-month spending bill," The Hill's "On The Money" blog reports.

29 Mar 2011

Cardinal Health, APhA partner to prevent prescription medication abuse

During the American Pharmacists Association's Annual Meeting and Exposition in Seattle, the Cardinal Health Foundation and APhA announced a partnership to encourage pharmacists and student pharmacists to take an active role in preventing the abuse and misuse of prescription medications.

29 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: 'Lesson' from R.I. on waivers; Wis. infant mortality rate disparities; diabetes and seniors

Medicaid is the major cost driver in state budgets these days, so several Governors have proposed a deal to the White House and Congress: They'll take less money in return for the flexibility to run the program with fewer federal strings. A case study in the potential benefits is coming from liberal Rhode Island.

29 Mar 2011

Roundup: States 'scrambling' on Medicaid budget; health costs for inmates, Ex-Cons; kids' insurance

Strapped states are scrambling to address Medicaid's ballooning costs before the federal government cuts back a critical source of funding this week. Medicaid is one of state's costliest burdens. And the weak economy swelled the rolls to record numbers. Nearly 49 million people -- or almost one in six Americans -- were covered by the safety net at the end of 2009, the latest figures available.

29 Mar 2011

CNN political analyst David Gergen spoke with home care and hospice providers at annual March on Washington event

Nationally known and recognized political analyst David Gergen spoke today at the National Home Care & Hospice Association’s March on Washington event about the uncertain times that we face as a country.

28 Mar 2011

Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. spins off Great Lakes NeuroTech

Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. (CMDI) has announced the formation of Great Lakes NeuroTech (www.GLNeuroTech.com), a spin-off company which has acquired the rights to develop, market, and manufacture clinical motor assessment and therapy systems for the movement disorders market as well as physiological monitors for research and education markets. Great Lakes NeuroTech (GLN) will perform R&D, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and exporting of these technologies through two divisions: Movement Disorders and Research & Education Systems.

28 Mar 2011

As new threat of Govt. shutdown looms, parties still at odds on spending cuts

Although some reports of progress have emerged from closed-door negotiations, Democrats and Republicans appear to still be at odds regarding whether the current year funding bill should move beyond a "narrow slice of discretionary programs" to include some health programs — including Medicare.

28 Mar 2011

Rising Medicare premiums threaten to wipe out Social Security COLA

Millions of retired and disabled people in the United States had better brace for another year with no increase in Social Security payments.

28 Mar 2011

Challenges of high-risk surgery

A small group of "high-risk" patients account for a disproportionately high number of surgery-related deaths, complications, and costs. The April issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS), commences a special series on high-risk surgery—focusing on new and emerging strategies for identifying and managing patients at high risk.

28 Mar 2011

Poll finds proposal to cut Planned Parenthood funding deepens gender gap

Meanwhile, in a second story, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the funding fight is far from over.

28 Mar 2011

IMRIS sells IMRISNV to University of Utah Hospital

IMRIS Inc. today announced the sale of IMRISNV to University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

28 Mar 2011

Nurse staffing levels, safety net status both factors in patient outcomes

A new study finds that higher nurse staffing levels can lead to better patient outcomes. However, the study also found this to not always be the case at safety net hospitals. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Mirror reports on hospitals' efforts to reduce readmissions. And, in other news, new research has found that patients are less likely to fill prescriptions when doctors specify brand names instead of allowing generic substitutions.

28 Mar 2011