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Call for incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies

Three leading scientific and health policy organizations today launched a global drive for signatories to the Vienna Declaration, a statement seeking to improve community health and safety by calling for the incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies. Among those supporting the declaration and urging others to sign is 2008 Nobel Laureate and International AIDS Society (IAS) Governing Council member Prof. Fran-oise Barr--Sinoussi, co-discoverer of HIV.

30 Jun 2010

Majority of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine"

A survey by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers has found that 91 percent of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine," ordering more tests and procedures than necessary as a protective measure. The study, which questioned 2,416 physicians, is published in the June 28 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine.

30 Jun 2010

WHO's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities helps create healthy urban environments for older residents

Today, WHO launches the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities as part of a broader response to the rapid ageing of populations. Populations in almost every corner of the world are growing older. The greatest changes are occurring in less-developed countries. By 2050, it is estimated that 80% of the expected 2 billion people aged 60 years or over will live in low or middle income countries. The Network aims to help cities create urban environments that allow older people to remain active and healthy participants in society.

30 Jun 2010

Majority of German patients say public health system needs fundamental change

One patient in four in Germany is in favor of complete reform of the public health system. Most respondents in other nations are more satisfied.

30 Jun 2010

Humana launches ‘Points of Caregiving’ program

Humana Inc. today introduced Points of Caregiving, a comprehensive resource for the nation's 52 million caregivers. Designed as a complete caregiver's destination, the program includes an easy-to-use interactive website, telephonic support and customized reminders to help caregivers make decisions with confidence and to find support from peers.

30 Jun 2010

Poor clinical system performance impacts clinician productivity and adoption of EHR/EMR technology

Compuware Corporation today announced the findings of a survey of health care professionals to better understand the availability of their clinical information systems. The survey examined the length of time it takes for clinicians to log-in and how often they are required to log-in during an average work day.

30 Jun 2010

More awareness about advance care planning, and hospice and palliative care

Recent media coverage on the challenges patients and families face with overtreatment of a life-limiting illness brings the issues of hospice and palliative care and advance care planning to public attention.

30 Jun 2010

U.N. Economic and Social Council meeting focuses on MDGs, empowering women

"The world's anti-poverty gains achieved over the past years are being eroded by the presence of multiple crises, including an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, increased food [in]security, oil prices volatility and climate change," according to a report released Monday by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the opening of an annual high-level segment of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Bernama reports.

30 Jun 2010

Complication rates for vaginal and C-section deliveries can vary across hospitals

Complication rates for vaginal and C-section deliveries can vary widely from one hospital to the next according to a study released today by HealthGrades, the leading independent health care ratings organization.

30 Jun 2010

Ford may pay health debts with stock — a sign of possible weakness

The automaker Ford may pay part of the $859 million it owes a union health care fund using company stock, a move analysts say would show weakness, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

30 Jun 2010

Insuring your health: Part-time workers to get help on health insurance – but not now

In this Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "Sarah Rose Nordgren works 25 to 30 hours a week as a waitress at an upscale restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C."

30 Jun 2010

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

Three months after health reform was enacted, state leaders are beginning to make decisions about implementing the new law, Politico reports: "With the messy politics of health reform, the burden of balancing state budgets and the goal of expanding health coverage, lawmakers at the state level have had mixed reactions."

30 Jun 2010

2 new studies add to evidence of risks with diabetes drug Avandia as FDA prepares to debate it's safety

The Washington Post: Two new studies provide evidence "that the diabetes drug Avandia increases the risk of heart problems and strokes, renewing questions about the safety of the medication. ... The new research, released Monday, should prompt the Food and Drug Administration to remove the drug from the market, according to the researchers who led the analyses and several drug-safety advocates.

30 Jun 2010

Daily Nation reports on USAID's 2-year, $11.5M market linkages initiative to improve food security in East Africa

USAID will contribute $11.5 million for the Market Linkages Initiative (MLI), a two-year program aimed at promoting trade in "staple foods" in East Africa, the Daily Nation reports.

30 Jun 2010

When it comes to decision making, older adults fare as well as juniors

Many people believe that getting older means losing a mental edge, leading to poor decision-making. But a new study from North Carolina State University shows that when it comes to making intuitive decisions - using your "gut instincts" - older adults fare as well as their juniors.

30 Jun 2010

States struggle as Congress fails to come through with extra Medicaid money

Congress' rejection - at least for now - of a package extending $16 billion in Medicaid funding and $35.5 billion in other jobless benefits has left at least 30 states struggling to balance next fiscal year's budgets with tax increases, spending cuts and layoffs, The Associated Press reports. The new fiscal year begins in just days for most states.

30 Jun 2010

Geriatric population soars while NIH devotes modest resources to aging research

With a nudge from the new health care law and pressure from Medicare, hospitals, doctors and nurses are struggling to prepare for explosive growth in the numbers of high-risk elderly patients. More than 40 percent of adult patients in acute care hospital beds are 65 or older. Seventy million Americans will have turned 65 by 2030.

30 Jun 2010

Oil spill disaster raises concern in the Gulf region

Two months after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion caused the oil spill now globally acknowledged as the worst environmental disaster in our nation's history, the residents of the Gulf region immediately impacted are exhibiting dramatically high levels of anxiety, both among adults and children, about the future health and well-being of the region. Many children – and parents – still recovering from Katrina are now reeling from a second major trauma as a result of the oil catastrophe.

30 Jun 2010

U.S., China open Shanghai Epidemiology Center for chronic, epidemic diseases

Chinese and U.S. health officials opened an epidemiology center in Shanghai Tuesday to train experts to deal with and prevent chronic and epidemic diseases, the Associated Press reports.

30 Jun 2010

Health experts to discuss OA prevention and treatment strategies at international Arthritis Summit

Hospital for Special Surgery plans to host a two-day international Osteoarthritis Summit in June 2011.

30 Jun 2010

Health Care News and Research

Call for incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies

Majority of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine"

WHO's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities helps create healthy urban environments for older residents

Majority of German patients say public health system needs fundamental change

Humana launches ‘Points of Caregiving’ program

Poor clinical system performance impacts clinician productivity and adoption of EHR/EMR technology

More awareness about advance care planning, and hospice and palliative care

U.N. Economic and Social Council meeting focuses on MDGs, empowering women

Complication rates for vaginal and C-section deliveries can vary across hospitals

Ford may pay health debts with stock — a sign of possible weakness

Insuring your health: Part-time workers to get help on health insurance – but not now

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

2 new studies add to evidence of risks with diabetes drug Avandia as FDA prepares to debate it's safety

Daily Nation reports on USAID's 2-year, $11.5M market linkages initiative to improve food security in East Africa

When it comes to decision making, older adults fare as well as juniors

States struggle as Congress fails to come through with extra Medicaid money

Geriatric population soars while NIH devotes modest resources to aging research

Oil spill disaster raises concern in the Gulf region

U.S., China open Shanghai Epidemiology Center for chronic, epidemic diseases

Health experts to discuss OA prevention and treatment strategies at international Arthritis Summit

Event guide: 3rd Measuring Patient Engagement Summit eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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