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Congress would make insurers spend more money on consumers' care

Slate: "One of the biggest lingering criticisms of the Democrats' health care reform plan is that it doesn't control costs. This line persists in part because it's hard to refute in simple terms. ... But for those who want a single, clear example of how reform will attempt to keep the cost of health care -- or, at least, the cost of insurance -- down, there's no easier-to-grasp concept than the medical loss ratio."

5 Jan 2010

Circumcision lowers HIV risk; changes bacterial community on penis microbiome

Circumcision, which substantially lowers HIV risk in men, also dramatically changes the bacterial communities of the penis, according to a study led by scientists at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Johns Hopkins University and published Jan. 6 in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.

5 Jan 2010

Survey reveals majority of Americans would seek new coverage options, but some would delay coverage

When given a choice between waiting for health reform legislation to pass or researching and seeking health insurance coverage immediately, 24% of adults surveyed would choose to wait before seeking coverage if they lost their coverage today, according to a new poll.

5 Jan 2010

Spinal surgery issues simplified

Spine patients afflicted with severe degenerative disc diseases often find diagnostic and treatment options as daunting as the surgery itself. Fortunately, "Getting Back on Their Feet," a new documentary released by the Arthroplasty Patient Foundation, was created specifically to help spine surgery patients overcome obstacles they encounter in their search for wellness.

5 Jan 2010

NQF endorses 70 measures to improve gathering of clinical electronic data

As an incremental step toward wider use of electronic data platforms to measure, report, and improve quality, the National Quality Forum (NQF) has endorsed 70 measures that combine data from two or more common electronic sources such as administrative claims, pharmacy and laboratory systems, and registries.

5 Jan 2010

"Nanoworms" and doxorubicin loaded hollow nanoparticles to fight cancer

A team of researchers in California and Massachusetts has developed a "cocktail" of different nanometer-sized particles that work in concert within the bloodstream to locate, adhere to and kill cancerous tumors.

5 Jan 2010

A 'cocktail' to kill cancerous tumors

5 Jan 2010

Shah confirmed by Senate to head USAID

The Senate has "confirmed Rajiv Shah as head of USAID, putting the 36-year-old doctor in charge of the sprawling $20 billion aid agency which stands poised for a major funding boost," Reuters reports.

4 Jan 2010

Despite huge expansion of coverage, millions of people would remain uninsured under Senate bill

The Senate health care reform bill would leave as many as 23 million people without insurance by 2018, providing a problem for Democrats who ultimately want universal health care, The Washington Post reports.

4 Jan 2010

Aegis Living provides guidance on senior living communities

It's a fact: each and every January senior living communities see an increase in inquiries from concerned family members looking for help and answers as to how to best care for an aging loved one that needs assistance

4 Jan 2010

NYC physical therapist encourages women to incorporate physical activity to manage stress levels

Life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations and demands. Stress can take its toll on a woman’s health and spill into the home during the holiday season. In these economic times, tightening budgets during the ‘season to be jolly’ brings additional stress.

31 Dec 2009

UT Southwestern doctor uses a viable alternative in aortic graft surgery

A vascular surgical technique pioneered at UT Southwestern Medical Center and designed to replace infected aortic grafts with the body's own veins has proved more durable and less prone to new infection than similar procedures using synthetic and cadaver grafts.

31 Dec 2009

Medicine At Work introduces telemedicine workplace clinic program in Atlanta

Medicine At Work from NuPhysicia LLC, the nation’s first telemedicine workplace clinic program, has expanded services into Atlanta. This cost-effective workplace clinic option for employers is now gaining new customers in both Texas and Georgia.

31 Dec 2009

Research suggests high-dose Vitamin E supplements may do more harm than good

Vitamin-fortified foods and dietary health supplements can ease health worries. But what kinds of vitamins are right for you? And how much of them should you take, and how often?

31 Dec 2009

Website explores pros and cons of obesity

ProCon.org, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity dedicated to promoting critical thinking, created the new website http://www.obesity.procon.org to explore the core question "Is obesity a disease?"

30 Dec 2009

AUA experts urge to focus on urologic health conditions in upcoming year

This new year, make a resolution to improve your health and talk to your doctor about urologic conditions. Although urologic problems may seem embarrassing to talk about, these conditions are more common than you think and a delay in seeking medical attention could cause you unnecessary stress, prolong the problem and even increase your risk for a more serious condition.

30 Dec 2009

Overview of grief

A death of a loved one, a job loss, the end of a marriage, an illness or disability. Everyone faces losses and grief, but the toll that grief can take on the mind and body can catch many people by surprise.

30 Dec 2009

NYBC calls for blood donation in recognition of National Blood Donor Month

New York Blood Center (NYBC) and its divisions in Manhattan, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Brooklyn/Staten Island, and New Jersey call upon the community to please donate blood, in recognition of National Blood Donor Month, and to help save lives.

30 Dec 2009

Popping a bottle of bubbly can be dangerous to health, says Ophthalmologist

For many, celebrating the holidays calls for a champagne toast. But for some people popping a bottle of bubbly can be dangerous to your health.

30 Dec 2009

CRN stands by Ginkgo biloba's effectiveness in improving cognitive function

"It is important to put this study into context and to remember that there is a large body of previously published evidence, which suggests that Ginkgo biloba may help improve cognitive impairment in older adults. There are also additional ongoing clinical trials, the results of which may address some of the limitations of the current study. The results of this single study add to the overall data on Ginkgo biloba, including valuable evidence in support of Ginkgo's safety profile, but should not be viewed as the final word.

30 Dec 2009