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Yoga reduces back pain and fights depression

People with chronic low-back problems who do yoga also do better at overcoming pain and depression than people treated conventionally for back pain, a West Virginia University study funded by the National Institutes of Health shows.

5 Sep 2009

Children International distributes free wheelchairs to physically disabled children in Ecuador

For 10-year-old Jessica, who struggles with muscular dystrophy and epilepsy that make her life on the steep mountainside above Quito, Ecuador extremely difficult, her new wheelchair is priceless!

4 Sep 2009

The American Association for Homecare deems OIG report as misleading

In a study released yesterday, the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) ignored the substantial costs of services related to providing power wheelchairs, including complex rehab, to seniors and people with disabilities who require mobility assistance.

4 Sep 2009

VA tries to keep up with surge of need

The Department of Veterans Affairs is experiencing a surge of treatment requests and disability claims as soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan, overwhelming VA clinics.

4 Sep 2009

Blue Cross Blue Shield releases The Healing Book to mark Life Insurance Awareness Month

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia kicks off Life Insurance Awareness Month by enhancing the support services already available to its group life insurance beneficiaries by offering a new book to help children who are affected by the loss of a loved one - The Healing Book: Facing the Death and Celebrating the Life of Someone You Love (written by Ellen Sabin and published by Watering Can Press).

4 Sep 2009

Report on ageing world inspires employers to expand and shift their strategic thinking, says Chairman of Mercer

The World Economic Forum has just published Transforming Pensions and Healthcare in a Rapidly Ageing World: Opportunities and Collaboration Strategies with the support of Mercer and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). The report and a related Mercer Perspective can be downloaded at www.mercer.com/WEF.

3 Sep 2009

Biogen Idec's MS franchise to present at the 25th Congress of ECTRIMS

Biogen Idec today announced more than 70 platform and poster presentations from the company’s multiple sclerosis (MS) franchise being presented during the 25th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Düsseldorf, Germany.

3 Sep 2009

Jedi Mind to develop medical applications for patients in wheelchairs

Jedi Mind, Inc. (Pink Sheets: JEDM) (http://www.jedimindinc.com) announced today that their Medical Division is now working on a number of medical applications for patients in wheelchairs.

3 Sep 2009

Insecticide-treated bed nets prevent infant deaths from malaria

Giving insecticide-treated bed nets to nearly 18,000 mothers at prenatal clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented an estimated 414 infant deaths from malaria, a study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers concludes.

3 Sep 2009

Obama set to reveal specific health reform details in strategy shift

After an August recess that saw Democrats take a beating on their message and calls from lawmakers to provide more leadership, President Obama is likely to change course on his approach to health reform legislation.

3 Sep 2009

Irregular heartbeat is a common cause of stroke

Mellanie True Hills knows personally the toll that atrial fibrillation (afib) takes. Just two years ago, with a sense of urgency about afib that only a survivor can possess, she designated September as Atrial Fibrillation Month.

2 Sep 2009

Novo Nordisk's NCDP provides support for accurate cost and benefit assessments of preventive health

The National Changing Diabetes((R) )Program (NCDP), a program of Novo Nordisk, commends Representative Donna M. Christensen, M.D. (D-VI) and Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) for sponsoring legislation that will lead to a more accurate assessment of the cost and benefits of preventive health, including preventing complications and delaying progression of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

From Novo Nordisk 2 Sep 2009

Rapid progression of multiple sclerosis linked to smoking

Patients with multiple sclerosis who smoke appear to experience a more rapid progression of their disease, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

2 Sep 2009

Higher education levels associated with an earlier need for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease

Individuals who have higher levels of education and who are more impaired by Parkinson's disease appear to require treatment for their symptoms earlier than do other patients, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the September print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

2 Sep 2009

New research on post-traumatic stress disorder to be presented at MHRF

New research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being presented this week at the Military Health Research Forum (MHRF), a scientific conference hosted by the Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Depending on the conflict in which they served, 10 to 30 percent of soldiers who have spent time in war zones experience the debilitating and life-altering symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

2 Sep 2009

Las Vegas man's experience with health system shows best and worst of care

The New York Times reports on one man's struggle with the health care system: "In the debate about health care overhaul, there are countless stories of families saddled with hospital bills and unemployed workers who have lost their insurance.

2 Sep 2009

Children suffering from chronic headache may outgrow the condition

Most children who suffer from chronic daily headache may outgrow the disabling condition, according to research published in the July 15, 2009, online issue of NeurologyÂ®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Nearly 1.5 percent of middle school children are affected by chronic daily headache, which includes chronic migraines and tension-type headaches.

1 Sep 2009

Dr. Raman Bedi to exclusively represent Oragenics' oral care products

Florida-based biopharmaceutical leader Oragenics, Inc. has appointed renowned international oral care authority Dr. Raman Bedi to serve as exclusive representative for the company’s award-winning line of oral care products to the Middle East.

1 Sep 2009

Medivir adds MIV-711 to bone-related disorder treatment candidate portfolio

Medivir (STO:MVIRB) has deepened its presence, and expanded its commercial interest, in the therapeutic area of bone diseases by selecting a further candidate drug that targets the protease cathepsin K, a recognized drug target in this area. This builds on Medivir’s existing interest in bone related disorders which includes already one candidate drug and positive phase I experience from MIV-701.

1 Sep 2009

Inhibitor Education Summits to address pertinent topics regarding hemophilia

More than 160 families of patients living with a rare form of hemophilia are coming together at educational summits sponsored this fall by the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) and the Center for Biomedical Continuing Education (CBCE). For the fifth year, the Inhibitor Education Summits will connect patients and their families with expert healthcare professionals and fellow patients to address pertinent topics such as effective pain management, exercise and nutrition, financial security, and psychological wellbeing.

29 Aug 2009