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First Edition: September 17, 2010

"In a reflection of the battered economy, the number of people without health insurance rose sharply last year to 50.7 million — an all time high — according to data released Thursday by the Census Bureau" (Kaiser Health News). KHN also provides related resources, including a Census Bureau summary of key findings, the chapter on health insurance coverage and access the full report, "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009."

17 Sep 2010

Investigators uncover new insights on adolescent fighting

UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators have uncovered new insights on adolescent fighting: what triggers it, and how to stem it. Varied real-life factors pile on daily to put teens on edge: destructive behaviors like drug abuse, drinking or high-risk sexual encounters; poverty; academic troubles; and even depression. Data analyzed by researchers at UT Southwestern suggests that when teens perceive support from their families and/or schools, it can help mitigate violence.

17 Sep 2010

IOM briefing to discuss ways to improve health care quality, address health care work force shortage

Since its inception in July 2009, the Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine has worked to develop a blueprint for using nurse-led models of innovation to improve the health care system.

17 Sep 2010

MEDSEEK to host second annual eHealth Council in Savannah

Converge, MEDSEEK's eHealth Strategy group, will host its second annual eHealth Council in Savannah, Georgia on September 30 and October 1, 2010. eHealth Council is open to healthcare executives and thought leaders from across the country who are interested in interacting with peers and gathering information and best practices around eHealth.

17 Sep 2010

World Vision reports on healthcare resources

Global efforts to tackle millions of preventable child and maternal deaths will fail to extend gains unless world leaders act now to pour more healthcare resources directly into families and communities, according to a new World Vision report launched today.

17 Sep 2010

Virginia Health Information report lists pricing information for health care services

Virginians now have access to information on what health care procedures cost — before they receive medical care. Virginia Health Information has published a report showing the average amounts that health insurers in Virginia pay for 31 procedures including preventive, emergency, outpatient and hospital inpatient care.

17 Sep 2010

Proskauer's Health Care Department plans to expand WVUHS transactions

Proskauer's nationally recognized Health Care Department has played a key role in plans to expand the West Virginia United Health System (WVUHS), already the largest health care system in West Virginia.

17 Sep 2010

Eddingpharm closes US$24 million Series B financing

Eddingpharm Inc., a leading specialty pharmaceutical marketing company focused on the China market, today announced the closing of a US$24 million Series B financing, co-led by OrbiMed Advisors Caduceus Asia Partners Fund and Domain Associates.

17 Sep 2010

Report finds increase in osteopathic physicians

As concerns mount over whether there will be enough physicians to meet the nation's growing demand for health care, the number of osteopathic physicians (DOs) is reaching new heights, according to a report released today from the American Osteopathic Association.

17 Sep 2010

New iPhone application tracks drug safety updates

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Children's Hospital Boston have developed a new iPhone application to encourage health-care professionals and patients to send and receive information about the use and side effects of prescription medications.

17 Sep 2010

U.S. special envoy to Pakistan highlights U.S. flood relief efforts

Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to Pakistan, sought to highlight Washington's aid efforts Wednesday during his first visit to the country since the severe floods hit, the Associated Press reports.

17 Sep 2010

Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers to strengthen alliance with GAVI

Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), a voluntary public health driven alliance of state owned and private vaccine manufacturers from developing countries, now intends to strengthen its collaboration with Global Alliance for Vaccine Immunization (GAVI) to increase its bandwidth in immunization for the developing countries.

17 Sep 2010

CARNA releases health consultation report

Mary-Anne Robinson, chief executive officer of the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA), was a member of the advisory committee which prepared the health consultation report released today.

17 Sep 2010

SBi reports continuing growth for S.T.A.R. ankle arthroplasty implant system

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a leading, privately held orthopedics company focused primarily on arthroplasty and trauma reconstruction technology and treatments for the small bones & joints, reported continuing growth for its S.T.A.R. ankle arthroplasty implant system with August being the biggest month ever for the S.T.A.R. in terms of revenues and surgeries.

From Evident Corporation - Life Sciences 17 Sep 2010

Society for Vascular Nursing partners with local hospitals to create P.A.D awareness

Approximately 9 million Americans have peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.), a common and dangerous vascular disease that can lead to heart attack, stroke, amputation and death. Unfortunately, many with the disease do not even know they have it. September is P.A.D. Awareness Month, and the P.A.D. Coalition and the Society for Vascular Nursing are joining forces with local hospitals to inform Americans about the risk factors, warning signs and consequences of P.A.D.

17 Sep 2010

St. Joseph's Hospital-North adds obstetric services

Moms-to-be have asked for it and now St. Joseph's Hospital-North delivers a birthing experience like no other hospital stay. The area's first new hospital in more than 30 years has added obstetric services, bringing new moms and babies comfortable care in a soothing, elegant environment.

17 Sep 2010

Healthier people select high-deductible health plans

Healthier people are more likely to select a high-deductible health plan over a conventional plan, according to data from several employers that first offered the option in 2006. Participants choosing one of the new plans were eligible for contributions to a tax-free health savings account (HSA).

17 Sep 2010

New Census Bureau figures indicate record number of Americans among the ranks of the uninsured

According to a Census Bureau announcement this morning, the number of people without health insurance coverage increased from 46.3 million in 2008 to 50.7 million in 2009. Read the Census Bureau's summary of key findings or gain access to the full report here.

17 Sep 2010

Poorer patients wait months for basic services in Minn.; Calif. unions criticize plan for state workers to pay more for benefits; Neb. Medicaid study questioned

Minnesota Public Radio: "Three months after the state implemented a scaled-back health care coverage program for its poorest residents, many patients are waiting months for basic medical services and hospitals have lost millions of dollars in uncompensated care. … The restructuring of the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program has forced thousands of low-income residents … to leave their medical providers and receive care through one of four Twin Cities-area hospitals.

17 Sep 2010

Federal health care reform legislation can help removing financial barriers to treat Americans

New government data released today demonstrate the continued, urgent need for more Americans to have access to drug and alcohol addiction treatment, according to an analysis by the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) initiative. If implemented properly, federal health care reform legislation could help remove financial barriers to treatment for millions of Americans.

17 Sep 2010