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Survey shows Irish happy with smoke free pubs

Results of a survey, commissioned by the Irish Department of Health and Children, show continuing strong public support for the smoke-free at work measure introduced on 29th March, 2004. The survey of 1,000 people was carried out recently by Lansdowne Market Research.

11 Aug 2004

American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.3 times as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites of similar age

About 40 percent of adults ages 40 to 74 - or 41 million people - have pre-diabetes, a condition that raises a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

11 Aug 2004

Death from locally acquired West Nile Virus within Los Angeles County

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of WNV antibodies in a 91-year-old San Fernando Valley resident who passed away late last week. This is the third reported death for WNV in California and the first for Los Angeles County.

11 Aug 2004

Significant number of pediatric physicians fail to diagnose Kawasaki disease

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report in the August 10 issue of Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal that a significant number of pediatric physicians fail to diagnose Kawasaki disease in children younger than six months and older than eight years.

11 Aug 2004

Popular notion that all modern children are chauffeured around by their parents is a myth

The popular notion that all modern children are chauffeured around by their parents and never walk has been overturned by researchers at Lancaster University.

11 Aug 2004

U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council launches health initiative to help Afghan women

The U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council held the first meeting of the newly formed Health Advisory Committee on July 26, 2004 at the U.S. Department of State.

11 Aug 2004

WHO tackles the parasitic disease Leishmaniasis in Afghanistan

A rapid intervention by the World Health Organization and its partners, the Massoud Foundation and HealthNet International, in Kabul, Afghanistan, made possible by a donation from the Belgian government, should dramatically reduce the incidence of leishmaniasis in less than two years.

10 Aug 2004

New drive to recruit more NHS staff from underprivileged backgrounds

Research shows that 74% of the medical school population come from the highest three social classes, although just 38% of the working age population is from this background. Asian ethnic groups are under-represented in applicants to nursing courses, and there is evidence that black and ethnic minority applicants have difficulty in securing course places.

10 Aug 2004

Retinal findings in children with severe forms of malaria appear related to disease outcomes such as prolonged coma and death

Retinal findings in children with severe forms of malaria (with brain involvement and severe anemia) appear related to disease outcomes such as prolonged coma and death, according to an article in the August issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

10 Aug 2004

New legislation requires cigarettes be kept out-of-reach behind sales counters and to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from selling tobacco

In an effort to strengthen state laws that limit youth access to tobacco products, Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich has signed legislation to require cigarette packs be kept out-of-reach behind sales counters and to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from selling any tobacco products.

9 Aug 2004

Multicultural approach to health needed for well-being of indigenous people

Respect for cultural diversity and a deep understanding of the needs of different communities are key to achieving health equity among indigenous peoples, says the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

9 Aug 2004

Premature babies grow up to have a portion of the brain smaller than normal

Kids on a playground can be hard to tell apart. But those who were born significantly preterm may be struggling with a hidden handicap that sets them apart from their peers: specific areas of the brain that are smaller than normal, even years later.

9 Aug 2004

Changes to the UK's childhood vaccination programme

From the end of September these vaccines will be given in the routine vaccination schedule in a combined vaccine along with Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Hib.

9 Aug 2004

New direction for research into Sly Syndrome

Findings by a Saint Louis University research team led by the scientist who discovered Sly Syndrome 32 years ago point to a new direction for research into the rare genetic disorder that can cause bone deformities, vision and hearing loss, mental retardation and death in children.

9 Aug 2004

Susceptibility to vCJD was predicted to increase during childhood, peak during adolescence and decrease sharply afterwards

That young people tend to eat more beef products is not enough to explain the strikingly high proportion of new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease cases among children and adolescents. An article published this week in BMC Infectious Diseases, shows that young people must also be more susceptible to vCJD infection because of their age.

9 Aug 2004

Prozac can now be found in Britain's drinking water and rivers

The British Environment Agency has reported that the anti-depression drug Prozac can now be found in Britain's drinking water. Prozac is being used at such an alarming rate in Britain that it is building up both in river systems and groundwater.

9 Aug 2004

The British government has announced plans for a new combined vaccination for babies and children

The British government has announced plans for a new combined vaccination for babies and children. A single jab will protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and polio.

9 Aug 2004

Reminder to avoid handling bats for risk of rabies

In the wake of an increase in calls reporting human and pet contacts with bats, the Washington Department of Health has reminded people that avoiding bats can protect them from rabies. Bats are not aggressive animals and they generally do not intentionally attack humans.

9 Aug 2004

World's first audio collection of examples of stammered speech

The world's first audio collection of examples of stammered speech has been set-up by scientists funded by the Wellcome Trust, the UK's biggest biomedical research charity.

9 Aug 2004

Premature babies, better to delay where possible, to minimise brain damage

Findings from a UK-led international trial, funded by the Medical Research Council, confirm that premature babies across Europe are being delivered at the right time to save their lives, but preventing brain damage by optimising delivery time is still a challenge.

9 Aug 2004