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Thalidomide analog shows promise against sickle cell disease

A thalidomide analog is shaping up as a safe, worthy opponent of sickle cell disease, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report.

19 Jul 2011

State roundup: Model insurance brings 'modest' savings

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' alternative quality contract, which Governor Deval Patrick has held up as a potential model for controlling health care costs, produced "modest" savings in its first year while yielding improved quality of care in some areas, according to a new study in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.

15 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Teaching hospital cuts; Medicare & debt deal politics; end-of-life care

Teaching hospitals educate the next generation of physicians—who are clearly essential for our future. But the importance of academic medical centers and teaching hospitals goes far beyond delivering care.

15 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 14, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about how tempers are flaring in the midst of debt-ceiling negotiations, and how failure to reach an agreement could lead to tough choices about which of the nation's obligations will be left unpaid.

14 Jul 2011

Many women in war-torn areas unable to obtain family planning services

Many areas of the world are at war and both the conflict and aftermath have dire consequences for the health of people affected. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Conflict and Health reports that while women in war-torn areas want access to family planning, these services are often not available at local hospitals or health centers.

13 Jul 2011

Family planning essential for meeting world population's needs

"I'd like to pose the question: what more must we do to ensure the health, nutritional, and educational needs of all seven billion are met?" Scott Radloff, director of USAID's Office of Population and Reproductive Health, writes about World Population Day on the agency's "IMPACTblog."

13 Jul 2011

Romantic fiction bad for marriages and love life!

According to a warning in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) seemingly innocent and harmless romantic fiction may also be a cause of marital breakdown, adulterous affairs and unwanted pregnancies. This comes from an article in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, which said women struggle to distinguish between romantic fiction and real life.

10 Jul 2011

History of cancer increases risk for developing blood clotting issues following knee arthroscopy

A history of cancer was a significant risk factor for developing blood clotting issues following knee arthroscopy, according to a study being presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Annual Meeting in San Diego. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota analyzed the records of more than 12,000 patients who had undergone the common knee procedure.

8 Jul 2011

Longer looks: Shortage of HIV doctors; Oregon program builds on British model

Of the 3,155 U.S.-based members of the HIV Medicine Assn., 45% are older than 50, according to a March 17 Institute of Medicine report on HIV screening and access to care.

8 Jul 2011

Women with sedentary lifestyle more likely to develop pulmonary embolism

Women who sit for long periods of time everyday are two to three times more likely to develop a life-threatening blood clot in their lungs than more active women, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

5 Jul 2011

Obstetricians/gynecologists rank Pfizer as No. 1 pharmaceutical company: SDI

According to SDI's Pharmaceutical Company Image 2011 study, obstetricians/gynecologists ranked Pfizer No. 1 overall. Forty percent of the 325 participating OB/GYNs reported that Pfizer was one of the three companies they held in highest esteem. In the 2010 study, Pfizer placed second.

30 Jun 2011

SOGC launches first Facebook game about healthy sexuality for Canadians

Today, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is launching its first Facebook game - Sex Quest - to help Canadians learn about healthy sexuality, contraception and STIs.

27 Jun 2011

Conference examines family planning benefits for health

Family planning "is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent illness and save lives in the world's poor countries," according to health experts gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at a conference sponsored by the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, GlobalPost's "Africa Emerges" blog reports.

24 Jun 2011

Woman can more accurately identify man's sexual orientation during peak ovulation

A new study by psychologists at the University of Toronto and Tufts University shows that a woman can more accurately identify a man's sexual orientation when looking at his face, when she is closest to her time of peak ovulation. Further, having romantic thoughts or a mating goal heightens a woman's ability to discriminate between straight and gay men.

23 Jun 2011

Focus on men in family planning programs

Scott Radloff, director of the Office of Population and Reproductive Health, writes about involving men in family planning on USAID's "Impact Blog."

21 Jun 2011

Watson Pharmaceuticals confirms SEASONIQUE patent challenge

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading integrated global pharmaceutical company, today confirmed that the United States District Court for the District of Nevada denied Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s request for a preliminary injunction and request for a temporary restraining order preventing Watson's launch of generic SEASONIQUE and ethinyl estradiol.

18 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Medicare eligibility age; Medicare 'scares'; questions about Fla. Medicaid managed care

The bottom line is that we probably need to start raising Medicare's eligibility age incrementally, given today's life-expectancy realities. But it is not going to be the silver bullet that saves Medicare.

17 Jun 2011

State roundup: Mass. health spending's rise; huge Ky. hospital merger

A new report from the state Division of Health Care Finance and Policy shows that: ... "Spending per member on privately insured people grew 6 percent from 2007 to 2008 and another 10 percent from 2008 to 2009. This rate of growth was substantially higher than the increase in national personal health care expenditures per capita of 4.6 percent from 2008 to 2009. Spending by private payers also grew faster than spending by public payers".

16 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 10, 2011

Today's health policy headlines include reports about health law funding and policy particulars, as well as Dems' push to protect Medicaid.

10 Jun 2011

Women who receive intrauterine device after abortion less likely to have unintended pregnancy

Women who receive a contraceptive known as an intrauterine device or IUD immediately following a first trimester abortion experience few complications and are less likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who delay getting an IUD by several weeks, according to a new study at Oregon Health & Science University.

9 Jun 2011