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Authoritative parenting style associated with frequency of family meals and healthy diet in adolescents

Investigators from the University of Minnesota have found a direct association between parenting style and the frequency of meals eaten together as a family and that an authoritative parenting style was associated with more frequent family meals. Their data further indicated that family meals have a positive influence on adolescents to eat a healthy diet. The results of the study are published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

1 Jul 2010

Lensless cell phone microscope

Cell phones are accumulating a Swiss Army Knife-esqe assortment of capabilities; substituting as cameras, providing internet access, and soon operating as medical labs if Aydogan Ozcan's plans come to fruition. This month's cover article of the journal Lab on a Chip features the latest creation by the Ozcan group, a functioning prototype of a cell phone microscope.

1 Jul 2010

HHS Secretary to introduce www.HealthCare.gov consumer empowerment tool

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will introduce www.HealthCare.gov, a powerful new tool for consumers. The Secretary and Todd Park, Chief Technology Officer for HHS, will roll out the new site, called for in the Affordable Care Act, demonstrate some of its important features and answer questions from the media.

1 Jul 2010

Commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may help treat sepsis, new study suggests

A new study from researchers in Ottawa and Toronto suggests that a commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may be able to help treat sepsis, a deadly condition that can occur when an infection spreads throughout the body. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, shows that these cells can triple survival rates in an experimental model of sepsis.

1 Jul 2010

Mass. reports on people who buy insurance only when sick; Wash. board considers aiding consumers get 'Plan B' referrals; ACLU sues R.I. over electronic records

The Boston Globe: "The number of people who appear to be gaming the state's health insurance system by purchasing coverage only when they are sick quadrupled from 2006 to 2008, according to a long-awaited report released yesterday from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. The result is that insured residents of Massachusetts wind up paying more for health care, according to the report. … The report was released as state lawmakers consider proposals to make it harder for consumers to jump in and then dump their health insurance coverage" (Lazar, 6/30).

1 Jul 2010

Eisai to commercialize lorcaserin for obesity and weight management in U.S.

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that Eisai Inc. will market lorcaserin for obesity and weight management in the United States following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval under the terms of a marketing and supply agreement between Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Eisai. Lorcaserin, which Arena discovered and has developed for weight management, is intended for obese patients as well as overweight patients who have at least one weight-related co-morbid condition.

1 Jul 2010

Eisai signs agreement with Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH to commercialize lorcaserin

Eisai Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical operation of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for exclusive U.S. rights to commercialize lorcaserin, a drug candidate for potential use in the treatment of obesity, including weight loss, for patients who are obese (Body Mass Index or BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition.

1 Jul 2010

Simbionix, USF Health receive BIRD Grant for development of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy simulation module

Simbionix Ltd., a subsidiary of Simbionix USA Corporation, the world's leading provider of medical education and simulation training products for medical professionals and the healthcare industry, and USF Health, an organization dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health, are proud to announce that together they received a BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Grant to support the development of a Laparoscopic Hysterectomy simulation module.

1 Jul 2010

ACP releases practical resource guide for internists on PPACA

A practical resource guide for internists on recently-enacted health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was released today by the American College of Physicians. An Internist's Practical Guide to Understanding Health System Reform was developed by ACP's Division of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, a significant player in helping to shape this year's health care reform legislation.

1 Jul 2010

California State Assembly eases doctor shortages by supporting SB 726

Citing a federal government estimate that more than 3 million Californians cannot find doctors who will provide them essential medical care, health care and social justice advocates challenge the Senate to show the same level of compassion and leadership demonstrated by yesterday's passage of SB 726 (Ashburn) on the Assembly Floor.

1 Jul 2010

CED report warns that health care reform will not succeed without cost reforms

The health-care delivery system and payment structure need significant reforms, or the health care reform law passed by Congress will prove to be an "empty promise." That is the conclusion of a new report, Health Care in California and National Health Reform, from the business-led Committee for Economic Development.

1 Jul 2010

CBO Director: Potential health law savings not enough to reduce long-term deficits

Congressional Budget Office findings that for the first time take into consideration "the new health care law, heralded by President Obama and Democrats for reducing deficits in the long run" were presented today before the president's bipartisan fiscal commission. Among the CBO conclusions is that savings that result from the overhaul "aren't enough to turn deficits around."

1 Jul 2010

Lawmakers urge swifter launch of home health care demo

"The so-called Independence at Home (IAH) program, included as part of the Democrats' new health reform law, is scheduled to take effect no later than Jan. 1, 2012, but Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) warn that waiting that long would threaten the health of one of the country's most vulnerable populations," The Hill reports.

1 Jul 2010

AAMC report urges U.S. teaching hospitals to deal with conflicts of interest in clinical care

A new report by the AAMC urges U.S. teaching hospitals to establish policies that manage financial relationships between physicians and industry so that they do not influence patient care. "In the Interest of Patients: Recommendations for Physician Financial Relationships and Clinical Decision Making" provides guidance on how academic medical centers can identify, evaluate, and disclose conflicts of interest in clinical care.

1 Jul 2010

Eisai reports preliminary results from Dacogen for Injection Phase III study in AML

Eisai Inc. announced today preliminary results from a randomized Phase III clinical trial of Dacogen® (decitabine) for Injection versus either a low-dose chemotherapy agent or supportive care in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a life-threatening cancer of the blood that generally occurs in older adults.

1 Jul 2010

Tracking poll finds health reform law gaining in popularity

"The health-care overhaul gained popularity from May to June, according to a new tracking poll." The poll, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation "found that 48 percent of the public had a favorable view of the law in June while 41 percent had an unfavorable opinion." (Kaiser Health News is a program of the foundation.) In May, the tracking poll had found "41 percent favorable to 44 percent unfavorable."

1 Jul 2010

Kagan signals legal support for health law

The Washington Post: Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan suggested at her confirmation hearing Tuesday "that a controversial requirement in the new federal health-care law that most Americans obtain insurance has a legal basis -- a question that is likely to come before the courts." In answering Republican senators, Kagan "signaled" that she supported "enacting a health-care law that for the first time will require most legal residents of the United States to obtain insurance.

1 Jul 2010

Ambitious high-risk health insurance pools supposed to launch this week

The Associated Press: "The Obama administration is launching a special coverage program for uninsured Americans with medical problems this week, the most ambitious early investment of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. But here's the catch: Premiums will be a stretch for many, even after government subsidies to bring rates close to what healthier groups of people are charged."

1 Jul 2010

Focus shifts to mental health policies

According to Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the Coalition has gone “crazy” for providing funds to promote its mental health policy by closing down the Labour health reforms in general practice and record keeping.

1 Jul 2010

Report: Health spending outpaces economic growth in wealthy countries

Reuters on a report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development: The increase in health spending is "piling pressure budgets already hit" by the recession and is "likely to continue rising as populations age, technology improves and public expectations grow. ... Given the urgent need to reduce their budget deficits, many OECD governments will have to make difficult choices to sustain their healthcare systems: curb the growth of public spending on health, cut spending in other areas, or raise taxes," according to the report.

1 Jul 2010

Health Care News and Research

Authoritative parenting style associated with frequency of family meals and healthy diet in adolescents

Lensless cell phone microscope

HHS Secretary to introduce www.HealthCare.gov consumer empowerment tool

Commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may help treat sepsis, new study suggests

Mass. reports on people who buy insurance only when sick; Wash. board considers aiding consumers get 'Plan B' referrals; ACLU sues R.I. over electronic records

Eisai to commercialize lorcaserin for obesity and weight management in U.S.

Eisai signs agreement with Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH to commercialize lorcaserin

Simbionix, USF Health receive BIRD Grant for development of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy simulation module

ACP releases practical resource guide for internists on PPACA

California State Assembly eases doctor shortages by supporting SB 726

CED report warns that health care reform will not succeed without cost reforms

CBO Director: Potential health law savings not enough to reduce long-term deficits

Lawmakers urge swifter launch of home health care demo

AAMC report urges U.S. teaching hospitals to deal with conflicts of interest in clinical care

Eisai reports preliminary results from Dacogen for Injection Phase III study in AML

Tracking poll finds health reform law gaining in popularity

Kagan signals legal support for health law

Ambitious high-risk health insurance pools supposed to launch this week

Focus shifts to mental health policies

Report: Health spending outpaces economic growth in wealthy countries

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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