Epidemiology News and Research

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DuraPrep solution effective against surgical-site infections

3M Health Care today announced the publication of a new independent study “Effects of Preoperative Skin Preparation on Postoperative Wound Infection Rates:

6 Oct 2009

Framingham Heart Study receives $1M grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Boston University School of Medicine's (BUSM) Framingham Heart Study (FHS) has received a two-year $1M challenge grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

6 Oct 2009

$16 million federal stimulus funds for cancer research projects

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington schools of Public Health and Pharmacy have been selected to lead four projects backed by approximately $16 million in federal stimulus funding for comparative-effectiveness research in cancer.

6 Oct 2009

Majority of Americans believe they are well-protected from H1N1

A new Harris poll, commissioned by SCA Tissue North America’s Tork® brand, reveals that 74 percent of U.S. adults say it is unlikely they will contract H1N1 this year.

5 Oct 2009

Younger patients have increased risk for additional ACL surgery

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common injuries to the knee. Each year thousands of patients undergo reconstructive surgery to repair these injuries. According to a new study published in the October 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS), the number of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction is increasing substantially and women and younger patients are more likely to need subsequent knee surgery following the initial repair.

5 Oct 2009

HSPH's survey on H1N1 vaccines

In a new survey, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that just 40% of adults are "absolutely certain" they will get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves, and 51% of parents are "absolutely certain" that they will get the vaccine for their children. The survey examined the reasoning among those who said they would not get the vaccine or might not. This is the latest in a series of surveys of public views concerning the H1N1 flu outbreak undertaken by the Harvard Opinion Research Program at HSPH. The polling was done September 14-20, 2009.

3 Oct 2009

Surgical masks nearly as effective as N95 respirators in protecting health care workers against influenza

Surgical masks appear to be no worse than, and nearly as effective as N95 respirators in preventing influenza in health care workers, according to a study released early online today by JAMA. The study was posted online ahead of print because of its public health implications. It will be published in the November 4 issue of JAMA.

3 Oct 2009

Data for end-stage kidney disease in the United States available online

Incidence and prevalence data for end-stage kidney disease in the United States will be available online from the U.S. Renal Data System a year earlier than usual, announces the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, the data will be updated online every three months and will show quarterly counts of patients at www.usrds.org/qtr/qrt_report_table_new.html.

3 Oct 2009

Studies show vitamin D plays an important role in preventing respiratory infections

Several studies and articles published this year show that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention of respiratory infections such as the cold and flu.

1 Oct 2009

Raptor Pharmaceutical appoints Llew Keltner to its board of directors

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. ("Raptor" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: RPTPD), today announced the appointment of Llew Keltner, M.D., Ph.D., to the Company's board of directors. Dr. Keltner is currently CEO and President of Light Sciences Oncology, a privately-held biotechnology company developing a late-stage, light-activated therapy for hepatocellular cancer and other solid tumors.

1 Oct 2009

Study reveals elderly women sleep better than elderly men

A study in the Oct.1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that elderly women sleep better than elderly men even though women consistently report that their sleep is shorter and poorer.

1 Oct 2009

People with a gun more likely to be shot in an assault than those without one

In a first-of its-kind study, epidemiologists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that, on average, guns did not protect those who possessed them from being shot in an assault. The study estimated that people with a gun were 4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault than those not possessing a gun.

1 Oct 2009

Genetic factors play an important role in the development of type 1 diabetes

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Anette Ziegler, scientists of the Diabetes Research Group at Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München investigated the formation of antibodies to a zinc transporter in children with elevated risk for type 1 diabetes. The study provided indications of an early onset of the disease when specific antibodies in the blood and specific variants of the associated zinc transporter are present in the genome.

30 Sep 2009

APIC, 3M Health Care call upon Congress to recognize IIPW 2009

To bring greater attention to the critical need to protect patients and the public from the risk of healthcare-associated infections, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), in collaboration with 3M Health Care, is urging nationwide recognition of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) October 18-24, 2009. Through the theme “Infection prevention is everyone’s business,” APIC is calling upon all 50 states and Congress to issue proclamations recognizing IIPW 2009.

30 Sep 2009

National Cancer Institute grants $9.1M award to BUSM

The Black Women's Health Study (BWHS) of the Sloan Epidemiology Center at Boston University School of Medicine's (BUSM) has received a five-year continuation of grant funding award from the National Cancer Institute. The $9.1M award will cover years 16-20 of the largest follow-up study of the health of African-American women.

30 Sep 2009

Younger women with metastatic colorectal cancer live longer than younger men

Younger women with metastatic colorectal cancer lived longer than younger men. However, this survival advantage disappeared with age, suggesting a benefit from estrogen or other hormones, according to results of a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

30 Sep 2009

Study: Role of genetics and environment in autism spectrum disorders

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of the West Indies have joined forces to launch a study of Jamaican children that they hope will unlock the secrets of how genetics and environment may interact to cause autism spectrum disorders.

29 Sep 2009

Estrogen withdrawal may play a significant role in joint pain during breast cancer treatment

Aromatase inhibitors, the same drugs that have buoyed long-term survival rates among breast cancer patients, also carry side effects including joint pain so severe that many patients discontinue these lifesaving medicines. New University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine research, however, has uncovered patterns that may help clinicians identify and help women at risk of these symptoms sooner in order to increase their chances of sticking with their treatment regimen.

29 Sep 2009

JEBDP editors to offer continuing education units for its reviewers

Elsevier, a leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services announced today, that the Editors of Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (JEBDP), the foremost publication of information about evidence-based dental practice, will begin offering continuing education units (CEUs) to its recognized experts and valued peer reviewers.

28 Sep 2009

U.S. underfunds climate change health-related research

A recent commentary suggests that the U.S. should spend roughly $197 million more than it currently does to research the impact of climate change on public health.

28 Sep 2009