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Study identifies gaps in primary health care for seniors with multiple chronic conditions

The number of health care services seniors use is determined more by the number of chronic conditions they have than by their age, according to a new study from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

28 Jan 2011

Small minority of employers more familiar with Health Care Reform overall: New study

As provisions of the ''Affordable Health Care for America Act'' continue to come into effect, there is a tremendous need for employers across the country to learn about its impact on their businesses and employees, according to the results of "Health Care Reform 360 degree," a new national study by Market Strategies International, the highly-regarded global market research and consulting firm.

28 Jan 2011

U.N. Women Executive Director Bachelet launches 100-day 'action plan'

During the inaugural meeting of U.N. Women's executive board this week, Executive Director Michelle Bachelet laid out a 100-day action plan for the newly-launched agency, Inter Press Service reports.

28 Jan 2011

Bill Gates, crown prince of Abu Dhabi announce $100m pledge for vaccines for Afghan, Pakistani children

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayanm, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, "pledged $100 million Wednesday to deliver vaccines to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan," Reuters reports.

28 Jan 2011

Majority of Americans favor foreign aid cuts, Poll finds

A USA Today/Gallup poll released on Wednesday found that a majority of Americans oppose spending cuts when asked about specific programs, except for foreign aid, The Hill's blog, "Briefing Room," reports (Fabian, 1/26).

28 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Is Obama abandoning his health victory?

Did Obama say enough about health care reform last night? I suppose I'm one of the very few people who would even ask that question. Most Americans would probably think, "More health care? Lord no." And I think Obama and his speechwriters sensed as much. Although his defense of the Affordable Care Act was clear -- he's not going to sign a bill repealing the law -- it was also short. That portion of the speech was just two brief paragraphs, by my count (Jonathan Cohn, 1/26).

28 Jan 2011

White House renominates Berwick as Medicare chief

Six months after installing Dr. Don Berwick to direct the Center of Medicare & Medicaid Services with a recess appointment, the Obama administration has renominated him.

28 Jan 2011

Reuters examines how Russia's 'drug problem' has 'become an AIDS problem'

Reuters, in a piece exploring the issue of heroin use in Russia describes how the country's "drug problem has now become an AIDS problem."

28 Jan 2011

Opinions: Global poverty; Global Fund corruption; Tackling poverty, environmental issues

Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Laurence Chandy and Geoffrey Gert, both of the Brookings Institution's Global Economy and Development program, reflect on "Poverty's Success Story," a Washington Post opinion piece. They note that the last time the World Bank issued global poverty statistics (the number of people in the world living on less than $1.25 each day) was 2005.

28 Jan 2011

States step up legislative, legal action against federal overhaul

State legislatures are considering bills to undermine the sweeping health overhaul. In addition, a Virginia court promises speedy action in a pending legal challenge. And, of course, the concept of "waivers" continues to draw interest.

28 Jan 2011

Tobacco smoke exposure still a major cause for asthma attacks in kids: National Poll

Exposure to smokers is still a major cause of asthma attacks in kids, according to results of a poll released today by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

28 Jan 2011

Racial disparities exist between kidney disease patients and physicians: Study

Significant disparities exist between the race of kidney disease patients and that of the physicians who will care for them, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology.

28 Jan 2011

Gene signature can accurately predict breast cancer outcomes

Researchers from McGill University's Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School have discovered a gene signature that can accurately predict which breast cancer patients are at risk of relapse, thereby sparing those who are not from the burdens associated with unnecessary treatment.

28 Jan 2011

CBO projections, deficit reduction talk causes Medicare nerves

The need to take steps to reduce the federal deficit is leading some to experience "Medicare jitters."

28 Jan 2011

Early dental visit is important for good oral health in children

Good oral health is a key component of good overall health in children, which is why an early visit to the dentist is very important, says Temple University pediatric dentist Mark Helpin.

28 Jan 2011

GOP focuses health law attacks during two House hearings

The hearings represent the first of what will likely be a long list of hearings and new legislation designed to question and denounce the new health law. With the measure in the spotlight, the debate surrounding its fiscal impact also is a "hot topic." Meanwhile, some Democrats who last year opposed the health overhaul are starting to find value in it.

27 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif. wrestles with prison health costs; Texas legislator challenges GOP thinking; Mass. Gov. seeks remedy for municipal workers' health expenses

Amid California's budget crisis, the receiver put in charge of the prison health system by a federal judge has spent $82 million on blueprints for medical facilities that have been largely scrapped, more than $50,000 a month on an architectural consultant and millions hiring medical professionals — more per inmate than in many other states.

27 Jan 2011

Scrutiny about New York State's Medicaid program continues

The Wall Street Journal reports on the program's fraud unit while KHN explores the plans for New York's plans to revamp the entire program.

27 Jan 2011

H3 Biomedicine introduces cancer research and development operations in Cambridge

H3 Biomedicine today announced that it has launched research and development operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts. H3 Biomedicine will undertake a comprehensive approach to breakthrough oncology treatments based on two primary principles: 1) the genetics of patients' cancers can reveal drug targets tailored to their cancers and 2) the advances in modern chemistry enable the discovery of new classes of safe and effective drugs against these targets.

27 Jan 2011

Premera Home Visit Program helps reduce unneeded ER visits

When a physician's office is closed or an urgent care facility is not available, many people in need of non-emergency medical care turn to the very place they shouldn't have to - the emergency room of the closest hospital. There they may face long waits while life-threatening conditions take precedence. It's inconvenient and uncomfortable, and it results in potentially higher than needed treatment costs for patients - and for employers who provide health benefits.

27 Jan 2011