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Autologous stem cells do not improve heart function when given three weeks after heart attack

Administering stem cells derived from patients' own bone marrow either three or seven days after a heart attack is safe but does not improve heart function six months later, according to a clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

8 Nov 2012

BioCryst completes planned interim analysis of peramivir Phase 3 trial for serious influenza

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced completion of the planned interim analysis of the peramivir Phase 3 trial in patients admitted to the hospital with serious influenza. The difference between peramivir and control groups for the primary endpoint was small and the recalculated sample size was greater than the predefined futility boundary of 320 subjects. Based on this information, the independent data monitoring committee (DMC) recommended that the study be terminated for futility.

8 Nov 2012

After Election Day, states face deadline on health exchanges

Under the health law, states are required to let the Department of Health and Human Services know by Nov. 16 if they plan to set up their own exchanges or enter into a state-federal partnership.

7 Nov 2012

Heart disease risk factors widespread among Hispanic/Latino adults in the U.S.

Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL) - which will be presented at the American Heart Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on Nov. 5 and published in the Nov. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) - finds heart disease risk factors are widespread among Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States.

7 Nov 2012

Pfizer receives FDA approval for Xeljanz to treat rheumatoid arthritis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Xeljanz (tofacitinib) to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant of, methotrexate.

6 Nov 2012

State roundup: Examining health issues on state ballots

Sprinkled throughout ballots across the country are state initiatives that run the gamut from education to animal rights to marriage. And health care is well-represented, too. The National Conference of State Legislatures labels health a "key issue" in this cycle's roundup of state ballot questions.

6 Nov 2012

Health law implementation issues expected to loom large post-election

News outlets reported on insurance exchanges, Medicaid expansion and how the law's employer mandate may already be affecting workers' hours.

6 Nov 2012

MU project to reduce avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents

The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing today announced a nearly $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Led by Curators' Professor of Nursing Marilyn Rantz, MU researchers will use the funds, distributed over four years, to implement a project aimed at reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents.

6 Nov 2012

Companies, college challenging health law's contraception coverage mandate

One Michigan company won an injunction from a district court judge, as another company and a Texas college file lawsuits.

3 Nov 2012

'Details of implementation' critical to reaching goal of AIDS-free generation

Noting the progress made since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the upcoming recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, Ronald Valdiserri, deputy assistant secretary for health, infectious diseases at the Department of Health and Human Services, writes in a Public Health Reports opinion piece, "We would do well to keep in mind the following caution. No matter the elegance of the controlled trial, the statistical significance of the results, or the superiority of the science, we must confront this inevitable reality: We will never be able to take full advantage of our progress in HIV clinical and prevention science until we develop and sustain the human, organizational, and structural capacities necessary to implement these new scientific breakthroughs."

3 Nov 2012

State highlights: N.H. hospital in Hepatitis outbreak must allow access to patient records

A New Hampshire judge says a hospital tied to a hepatitis C outbreak must grant public health officials broad access to patient records. Exeter Hospital had argued it would be violating state and federal law if it provided unfettered access to its records system. But a Merrimack County Superior Court judge on Thursday sided with the state.

3 Nov 2012

Mental Health America urges greater attention to mental health impact of Hurricane Sandy

Mental Health America today said local affiliates in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy are struggling to deliver vital services to fellow citizens and urged greater attention to the mental health impact of the disaster.

3 Nov 2012

AHA sues Medicare over audit program aimed at trimming improper payments

The American Hospital Association says the audit program is preventing hospitals from being reimbursed for care they provide.

3 Nov 2012

NY-Presbyterian/CUMC wins two Transplant Program Awards from HSS

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center was named a recipient of two Transplant Program Awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) for its outstanding performance on liver and lung transplantation.

3 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Romney, Obama offer their 'visions for America;' One liberal wary of Mass. effort on assisted suicide

Change is an America where we reduce our deficit by cutting spending where we can, and asking the wealthiest Americans to go back to the income tax rates they paid when Bill Clinton was president. I've worked with Republicans to cut a trillion dollars of spending, and I'll do more. I'll work with anyone of any party to move this country forward. But I won't agree to eliminate health insurance for millions of poor, elderly, or disabled on Medicaid, or turn Medicare into a voucher just to pay for another millionaire's tax cut.

3 Nov 2012

FDA expands Janssen’s Xarelto use to reduce risk of DVT and PE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approved use of Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to include treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial treatment.

3 Nov 2012

First edition of HIE Ready Buyers' Guide to facilitate health information exchange released

The UC Davis Health System's Institute for Population Health Improvement today released the first edition of its "HIE Ready Buyers' Guide" to facilitate health information exchange, especially in California.

3 Nov 2012

NIH grant increases support of SDSU program that prepares students for doctoral and science careers

Funded by a $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development supports 30 students studying in the fields of biomedical and behavioral sciences.

2 Nov 2012

Roundup: Texas will keep Planned Parenthood Women's Health Program for now; Kids' autism covered in Wash. Medicaid; UnitedHealth selling S.C. Medicaid biz

Planned Parenthood will continue to receive funds from a joint Texas and federal program providing health care to low-income women, despite the state's promise to exclude its clinics by Nov. 1 because they are affiliated with abortion providers.

2 Nov 2012

Rep. Issa tussles with treasury dept. over health law subpeona

Treasury officials rejected the subpoena threat from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

30 Oct 2012

Health and Human Services News and Research

Autologous stem cells do not improve heart function when given three weeks after heart attack

BioCryst completes planned interim analysis of peramivir Phase 3 trial for serious influenza

After Election Day, states face deadline on health exchanges

Heart disease risk factors widespread among Hispanic/Latino adults in the U.S.

Pfizer receives FDA approval for Xeljanz to treat rheumatoid arthritis

State roundup: Examining health issues on state ballots

Health law implementation issues expected to loom large post-election

MU project to reduce avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents

Companies, college challenging health law's contraception coverage mandate

'Details of implementation' critical to reaching goal of AIDS-free generation

State highlights: N.H. hospital in Hepatitis outbreak must allow access to patient records

Mental Health America urges greater attention to mental health impact of Hurricane Sandy

AHA sues Medicare over audit program aimed at trimming improper payments

NY-Presbyterian/CUMC wins two Transplant Program Awards from HSS

Viewpoints: Romney, Obama offer their 'visions for America;' One liberal wary of Mass. effort on assisted suicide

FDA expands Janssen’s Xarelto use to reduce risk of DVT and PE

First edition of HIE Ready Buyers' Guide to facilitate health information exchange released

NIH grant increases support of SDSU program that prepares students for doctoral and science careers

Roundup: Texas will keep Planned Parenthood Women's Health Program for now; Kids' autism covered in Wash. Medicaid; UnitedHealth selling S.C. Medicaid biz

Rep. Issa tussles with treasury dept. over health law subpeona

Event guide: 6th Operationalize Expanded Access Programs Summit East 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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