Health and Human Services News and Research

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BF STEM tomography allows to visualize fine details of cell structure

Scientists in the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Laboratory of Bioengineering and Physical Science have developed a new technique that allows researchers to visualize fine details of cell structure three-dimensionally in thick sections, thus providing greater insight into how cells are organized and how they function. The work is described in a report published online this week in Nature Methods.

4 Sep 2009

Health workers' misdeeds kept in secret database

NPR: "Twenty-two years ago, the federal government started keeping a list of nurses, nurse aides, pharmacists and pharmacy aides who've been disciplined by state licensing boards. It's called the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank. But hospitals and nursing homes aren't allowed to see the database." The database was intended to be "open to hospitals and nursing homes when they hire staff and want to run a background check.

4 Sep 2009

New center to study mathematical modeling of drug resistance and internention to be established at HSPH

A new center that will focus on mathematical modeling of drug resistance, seasonal infectious diseases, and intervention allocation will be established at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

4 Sep 2009

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to purchase flu products from BD

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) announced today that it has received a significant order from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the purchase of syringes and needles, sharps collectors and alcohol swabs to be used in national flu pandemic preparedness efforts.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 3 Sep 2009

Criminal pricing of Merck’s HIV/AIDS drug Isentress challenged by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation

As part of its ongoing campaign to lower drug prices and increase access, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today unveiled its latest advocacy campaign challenging Merck and Co. Pharmaceuticals over the steep price of its key HIV/AIDS drug, Isentress (raltegravir). The first phase of the public awareness campaign includes a postcard mailer, scheduled to arrive this week in the mailboxes of residents of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, where Merck is headquartered.

3 Sep 2009

Pfizer finalizes settlement agreement with U.S. DOJ regarding past promotional practices

Pfizer Inc today announced that it has finalized a previously reported agreement in principle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle an investigation regarding past off-label promotional practices related to Bextra, which Pfizer voluntarily withdrew from the market in 2005.

3 Sep 2009

Brookhaven Retreat to raise awareness on substance abuse

An estimated 22 million Americans suffered from substance dependence or abuse, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2002. September is National Recovery Month and Brookhaven Retreat, a multidisciplinary treatment facility that helps women overcome emotional trauma and addiction challenges, is working to raise awareness about one of the nation’s biggest health crises: substance abuse and how recovery is essential to regain the balance a person once had over their life.

3 Sep 2009

New clinical trials to address the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs

Scientists are addressing the threat of antimicrobial drug resistance by launching two new clinical trials aimed at prolonging the effectiveness of currently available antibacterial drugs. The concept underlying both studies: Less is more.

3 Sep 2009

Pfizer to pay $2.3 billion for health care fraud settlement

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together "Pfizer") have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.

3 Sep 2009

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus causes more severe disease than human seasonal influenza viruses

Preliminary findings in ferrets suggest that the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may outcompete human seasonal influenza viruses, researchers say. Tests in animals showed that levels of the 2009 H1N1 virus rose more quickly than levels of the seasonal virus strains, and the new virus caused more severe disease. In line with previous findings by other research groups, the University of Maryland researchers also observed that the novel H1N1 virus was transmitted more easily from infected to uninfected ferrets than either of the two seasonal influenza viruses.

2 Sep 2009

Members of Independence Blue Cross will receive coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 vaccine

In an effort to help keep members healthy and flu-free this year, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine when it becomes available. In addition IBC will continue to cover seasonal flu vaccine.

2 Sep 2009

Policymakers need to be educated on the radical difference between radiation therapy and diagnostic testing

Concerned members of the cancer community, including physicians, patient organizations and other care advocates, spoke out today in opposition to a proposed federal policy under consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would lump life-saving radiation therapy in with diagnostic testing services in receiving major Medicare funding cuts.

2 Sep 2009

Visioneer document scanner streamlines patient care delivery systems

There is constant pressure in the healthcare industry to streamline patient care delivery systems that will function effectively under the real world constraints faced by public and private hospitals. Whether it is an admissions process, patient records or a doctor’s office environment, Visioneer scanners make short and easy work out of converting paper into digital documents.

2 Sep 2009

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, have teamed up to launch a new, national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage American children and families to practice healthy habits and to take steps to prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The PSAs featured in this campaign can be viewed on www.flu.gov.

1 Sep 2009

Obama's aging czar calls issue 'A unifying topic'

"Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the country's top authority on issues facing the massively expanding population of older Americans."

1 Sep 2009

Replacing Kennedy tall task for reform-minded democrats

Conservatives are accusing Democrats of politicizing Kennedy's death to pass health care legislation, Politico reports: "So his allies on the left have made no secret of their hopes that his legacy will serve to bolster the uncertain health reform plan, with Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) even suggesting the bill be named for Kennedy.

29 Aug 2009

Genetic variants on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children

Genetic variants in a region on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children, according to research published in the August 28 issue of the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

28 Aug 2009

CNS Response raises funds through private placement for general corporate purposes

CNS Response, Inc. (OTCBB: CNSO) (the "Company") today announced that it has completed a closing of its private placement, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $2,000,000.

28 Aug 2009

AHCA applaudes thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to HHS Secretary

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) today applauded thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, calling for the suspension and revision of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS') Nursing Home Five Star Rating System.

28 Aug 2009

Mental health advocates demand more psychaitric beds in North Carolina

Mental health advocates are calling attention to what they see as a need for more psychiatric beds in North Carolina.

28 Aug 2009

Health and Human Services News and Research

BF STEM tomography allows to visualize fine details of cell structure

Health workers' misdeeds kept in secret database

New center to study mathematical modeling of drug resistance and internention to be established at HSPH

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to purchase flu products from BD

Criminal pricing of Merck’s HIV/AIDS drug Isentress challenged by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Pfizer finalizes settlement agreement with U.S. DOJ regarding past promotional practices

Brookhaven Retreat to raise awareness on substance abuse

New clinical trials to address the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs

Pfizer to pay $2.3 billion for health care fraud settlement

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus causes more severe disease than human seasonal influenza viruses

Members of Independence Blue Cross will receive coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 vaccine

Policymakers need to be educated on the radical difference between radiation therapy and diagnostic testing

Visioneer document scanner streamlines patient care delivery systems

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

Obama's aging czar calls issue 'A unifying topic'

Replacing Kennedy tall task for reform-minded democrats

Genetic variants on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children

CNS Response raises funds through private placement for general corporate purposes

AHCA applaudes thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to HHS Secretary

Mental health advocates demand more psychaitric beds in North Carolina

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