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Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals brain circuitry associated with social status

Human imaging studies have for the first time identified brain circuitry associated with social status, according to researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health.

23 Apr 2008

U.S. and China at loggerheads over contaminated Heparin

Health officials in the U.S. appear to be at loggerheads with Chinese officials over the contamination of the blood-thinning drug Heparin.

22 Apr 2008

HHS appeals decision that requires release of Medicare physician claims data

HHS last week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia filed an appeal of an August 2007 court decision that requires the department to release Medicare claims data on more than 40 million beneficiaries and 700,000 physicians, the Los Angeles Times reports (Alonso-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times, 4/19).

21 Apr 2008

HHS Secretary Leavitt meets with health officials in Vietnam to discuss health issues, including HIV/AIDS

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Thursday met with health officials in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to discuss health issues, including HIV/AIDS, Thanhnien News reports.

21 Apr 2008

New national ad campaign encourages men to take preventive steps in their health care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) joined with The Advertising Council today to launch a national public service campaign designed to raise awareness among middle-aged men about the importance of preventive medical testing.

21 Apr 2008

Dental sealants still offer best protection against tooth decay says the BC Dental Association

Dental sealants remain one of the best methods for protection against tooth decay in children, says the BC Dental Association. The Association supports Health Canada's announcement that bisphenol-A (BPA) in dental resin materials poses no significant health threat.

20 Apr 2008

Draft legislation aimed at overhauling FDA would require more inspections, change user fees

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) on Thursday released draft legislation that would make broad regulatory changes to FDA and increase funds for the agency, CQ Today reports.

18 Apr 2008

New Democrat coalition, New York City officials announce proposal for Federal health care IT program

Members of the New Democrat Coalition on Tuesday announced a proposal that would use a New York City health care information technology program as a legislative template for a federal program, CQ HealthBeat reports.

18 Apr 2008

Study details cost-effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis treatments for Medicare recipients

For elderly and disabled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sufferers, the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) brought the promise of better disease management with "biologic" drugs.

15 Apr 2008

Global Alliance for Pharmacogenomics

Leaders at the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Genomic Medicine in Japan have signed a letter of intent creating a Global Alliance for Pharmacogenomics.

15 Apr 2008

Giving patients greater choice over who provides their care

Patients with long term, chronic conditions should be given money to organise and purchase their own care, according to an article in this week's BMJ.

11 Apr 2008

Gene linked to inherited blood biomarker associated with asthma risk

Risk for developing asthma is linked to variants in a gene called CHI3L1, which can be measured by checking levels of an inherited blood protein regulated by that gene, according to new research sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

11 Apr 2008

Cholesterol, blood pressure control may reverse atherosclerosis in adults with diabetes

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent – and possibly reverse – hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

9 Apr 2008

Discovery of gene variant linked to nicotine addiction and lung cancer

Scientists have identified a genetic variant that not only makes smokers more susceptible to nicotine addiction but also increases their risk of developing two smoking-related diseases, lung cancer and peripheral arterial disease.

3 Apr 2008

Older corneas suitable for transplantation

The age pool of corneas for transplant should be expanded to include donors up to 75 years of age, based on findings from a study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

2 Apr 2008

Stimulant treatment for ADHD does not contribute to substance abuse later in life

Treating children as early as age six or seven with stimulants for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not likely to increase risk of substance abuse as adults, according to two studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

2 Apr 2008

HIV-positive women in the United States face strikingly high levels of stigma

HIV-positive women in the United States face strikingly high levels of stigma, according to survey results released today by amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

1 Apr 2008

Americans living longer, enjoying greater health and prosperity, but important disparities remain

Average life expectancy continues to increase, and today's older Americans enjoy better health and financial security than any previous generation.

31 Mar 2008

First comprehensive database of microorganisms known to live in the mouth

Scientists know more today than ever before about the microbes that inhabit our mouths.

26 Mar 2008

PharmAthene signs agreement to acquire biodefense vaccines business from Avecia

PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, and Avecia Biologics Limited, a contract manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals, has announced that the companies have entered into a definitive sale and purchase agreement under which PharmAthene will acquire all of the assets and intellectual property related to Avecia's biodefense vaccines business.

24 Mar 2008

Health and Human Services News and Research

Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals brain circuitry associated with social status

U.S. and China at loggerheads over contaminated Heparin

HHS appeals decision that requires release of Medicare physician claims data

HHS Secretary Leavitt meets with health officials in Vietnam to discuss health issues, including HIV/AIDS

New national ad campaign encourages men to take preventive steps in their health care

Dental sealants still offer best protection against tooth decay says the BC Dental Association

Draft legislation aimed at overhauling FDA would require more inspections, change user fees

New Democrat coalition, New York City officials announce proposal for Federal health care IT program

Study details cost-effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis treatments for Medicare recipients

Global Alliance for Pharmacogenomics

Giving patients greater choice over who provides their care

Gene linked to inherited blood biomarker associated with asthma risk

Cholesterol, blood pressure control may reverse atherosclerosis in adults with diabetes

Discovery of gene variant linked to nicotine addiction and lung cancer

Older corneas suitable for transplantation

Stimulant treatment for ADHD does not contribute to substance abuse later in life

HIV-positive women in the United States face strikingly high levels of stigma

Americans living longer, enjoying greater health and prosperity, but important disparities remain

First comprehensive database of microorganisms known to live in the mouth

PharmAthene signs agreement to acquire biodefense vaccines business from Avecia

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