Health Care News and Research

RSS

New avian flu facility awards its first grant

The Avian and Human Influenza Facility, a multidonor financing mechanism administered by the World Bank, announced today that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) was awarded a grant in the amount of US$2 million for the Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness Project.

15 Aug 2006

In this day and age, even babies are fatter!

Researchers in the U.S. say it is not just the adult population that is getting fatter and fatter, babies today are far more likely to be overweight than they were twenty years ago.

14 Aug 2006

Infants more heavy today than 20 years ago

By examining more than 120,000 children under age 6 in Massachusetts over 22 years, a newly published study shows that young children - especially infants - are now more likely to be overweight.

9 Aug 2006

Combination of free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy significantly increases odds of quitting

New research findings released in the August 2006 edition of the journal Tobacco Control demonstrate clearly that providing smokers with access to free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum, significantly increases their odds of quitting.

7 Aug 2006

Why reassurance fails in patients with unexplained symptoms

When patients are unconvinced by reassurance from their doctor that they have nothing to worry about, it may be because their emotional state makes it hard for them to remember all the information the doctor has given them, according to new research in PLoS Medicine.

6 Aug 2006

New, shorter therapies to treat tuberculosis more effective

New, shorter therapies to treat tuberculosis (TB), which kills millions worldwide each year, may make TB control efforts substantially more effective by simplifying treatment, improving patient outcomes and reducing transmission of new infections.

6 Aug 2006

Literacy at less than a ninth-grade level almost doubles the five-year risk of mortality among elderly people

The literacy and mortality study analyzed data on 2,512 participants in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study that was conducted by the National Institute on Aging from 1999 to 2004.

4 Aug 2006

Diagnosis and referrals for kidney disease fall well short of need

Results of a national study of 304 U.S. physicians, in which "mock" patients' symptoms were presented for diagnosis, suggest that a sizeable percentage of primary care doctors probably fail to properly diagnose and refer patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

3 Aug 2006

Highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV remains successful

A decade after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection in Europe and North America, the risk of AIDS and death remains low for those starting treatment.

3 Aug 2006

Most Americans do not know when to get cancer screening tests

While most Americans know that mammograms, pap smears, and colonoscopies are screening exams for cancer, the majority of Americans do not know the appropriate age at which initiation of these tests is recommended.

3 Aug 2006

New framework for understanding physician medical errors

Disclosing medical errors made by physicians is extremely important yet often extremely difficult.

3 Aug 2006

Who are you kidding? Obese Americans eat a healthy diet and exercise!

If the results of a new survey in the U.S. on obesity are to be believed, most obese Americans are eating a healthy diet and are doing some form of vigorous exercise three times a week or more.

2 Aug 2006

Report suggests ways electronic disease registries can improve diabetes care

Electronic patient registries can help health care professionals improve care of diabetes patients, according to a report published today by the Hudson Center for Health Equity & Quality (Hcheq).

2 Aug 2006

Practical advice and individualized attention can help people with HIV stick to a consistent drug regimen

The studies were too different to combine results, but the review team found that the most successful programs emphasized "practical medicine management," one-on-one attention or a 12-week or longer duration.

2 Aug 2006

Why reassurance fails in patients with unexplained symptoms

2 Aug 2006

Domestic violence during pregnancy increases risk of early childhood mortality

Domestic violence towards mothers during pregnancy significantly raises the risk of death for their children during the earliest stages of childhood, according to a study of families in India.

1 Aug 2006

FDA warns against use of high-strength hydrogen peroxide to treat serious diseases

The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has issued a warning against drinking or injecting high-strength hydrogen peroxide products to treat serious diseases such as AIDS.

30 Jul 2006

Blair threatens food and drinks industry with legislation

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has virtually given the food and drinks industry in the UK an ultimatum saying unless the "junk food" industry can sort itself out it will be forced to restrict advertising to children next year.

27 Jul 2006

New group B strep test for newborn babies approved

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a new test studied at the University of Florida that could lead to better screening for the most common cause of infection in newborn babies.

27 Jul 2006

COX-2 inhibitors prescribed to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity prior to the market withdrawals

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the most popular treatment for arthritis - despite their association with gastrointestinal (GI) complications, including bleeding ulcers and death.

27 Jul 2006