Health and Human Services News and Research

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Study compares neighborhoods' walkability with local levels of air pollution

A new study compares neighborhoods' walkability (degree of ease for walking) with local levels of air pollution and finds that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality. Researchers involved in the study include University of Minnesota faculty member Julian Marshall and University of British Columbia faculty Michael Brauer and Lawrence Frank.

4 Nov 2009

Experts favor sweeping changes to Medicare-reforms to help support broader health system reform

A vast majority of leaders in health care and health policy believe Medicare has been successful in providing access to care and stable coverage to the elderly and disabled individuals; however only a small percentage think the program has realized its potential to achieve other important goals, like using its leverage as the country's largest purchaser of services to control costs and promote a high performance health system.

4 Nov 2009

Aetna provides free electronic roster billing to pharmacies and other providers for H1N1 flu vaccine claims

Aetna is providing free electronic roster billing for pharmacies and other non-traditional providers to use when submitting claims for the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

4 Nov 2009

New health privacy regulations spark debate

Information Week reports that the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a rule to "beef up penalties for violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA)." But the rule has generated complaints from a bipartisan group of congressmen, who argue it leaves loopholes and doesn't properly determine when privacy has been breached.

4 Nov 2009

Phase 1 study of STX107 for Fragile X syndrome begins

NIH-supported scientists at Seaside Therapeutics in Cambridge, Mass., are beginning a clinical trial of a potential medication designed to correct a central neurochemical defect underlying Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. There has to date been no medication that could alter the disorder's neurologic abnormalities. The study will evaluate safety, tolerability, and optimal dosage in healthy volunteers.

3 Nov 2009

$New drug may help bone fractures heal more quickly after radiation exposure$

New drug may help bone fractures heal more quickly after radiation exposure

A drug currently under development by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine may help bone fractures heal more quickly after radiation exposure, according to a study by Pitt researchers. The study's results will be presented at 1 p.m. today during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in Chicago.

3 Nov 2009

ASTRO commends CMS for limiting payment reductions proposed for radiation oncology

ASTRO, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, today praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for limiting the payment reductions initially proposed for radiation oncology and spreading the remaining cuts over four years.

3 Nov 2009

Pregnant women tolerate the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine, mount strong immune response

Healthy pregnant women mount a robust immune response following just one dose of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, according to initial results from an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.

3 Nov 2009

NHLBI survey results reveal COPD awareness continues to grow in the United States

Awareness of COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-continues to grow in the United States, according to national survey results released today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

3 Nov 2009

FDA: Guidance document on diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a guidance document that should help manufacturers develop diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection, during this pandemic, manufacturers can submit a request to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

3 Nov 2009

GOP is preparing its strategy, version of health overhaul legislation

The Republican Party is set to reveal an alternative health care reform bill to the Democratic ones in Congress just as the House prepares to take up Democratic legislation.

2 Nov 2009

GOP slams House health bill, Dems face hurdles before floor votes

The political parties lined up for a weekend of political rhetoric, with Republicans slamming the House health reform bill as Democrats get ready to move the bills to the floor in the House and the Senate.

1 Nov 2009

Hospitals and medical centers partner to share quality data to improve breast cancer treatment

The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force has announced the 56 participating hospitals, medical centers and mammography providers that are partnering to share quality data in order to identify deficits and implement strategies to improve breast cancer screening and treatment and reduce breast cancer mortality disparities.

31 Oct 2009

Congressman Mike Thompson lauded for endorsing the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) praised Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) for his endorsement of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009. Thompson joins Representatives Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in strengthening California's Congressional support for this critically needed legislation.

31 Oct 2009

HHS issues interim final rule with request for comments to strengthen enforcement of HIPAA

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an interim final rule with request for comments today to strengthen its enforcement of the rules promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

31 Oct 2009

AltaMed Health Services opens its newest Adult Day Health Care center in Cypress

AltaMed Health Services Corporation, elected officials and community leaders came together today to celebrate the grand opening of AltaMed's newest Adult Day Health Care center (ADHC) in Cypress.

31 Oct 2009

U.S. Senate's unanimous confirmation of Dr. Benjamin as Surgeon General commended

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that on Thursday, the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin as the nation’s Surgeon General.

31 Oct 2009

2009 mHealth Summit discusses to integrate science and wireless solutions to improve public health

The 2009 mHealth (Mobile Health) Summit, organized by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), today opens an unprecedented two-day summit bringing together more than 800 public and private sector science, medical, policy and mobile technology experts to develop a new roadmap related to the integration of science and wireless solutions to improve public health delivery, particularly to underserved populations, in the U.S. and around the world.

31 Oct 2009

Annual dental expenditure of Ohio and Georgia residents is less than the national average

The annual amount spent by Georgians and Ohioans or their insurers for dental care in 2006 averaged about $150 less than the national average of $607, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

31 Oct 2009

Shire announces third quarter 2009 financial results

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces results for the three months to September 30, 2009.

31 Oct 2009

Health and Human Services News and Research

Study compares neighborhoods' walkability with local levels of air pollution

Experts favor sweeping changes to Medicare-reforms to help support broader health system reform

Aetna provides free electronic roster billing to pharmacies and other providers for H1N1 flu vaccine claims

New health privacy regulations spark debate

Phase 1 study of STX107 for Fragile X syndrome begins

New drug may help bone fractures heal more quickly after radiation exposure

ASTRO commends CMS for limiting payment reductions proposed for radiation oncology

Pregnant women tolerate the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine, mount strong immune response

NHLBI survey results reveal COPD awareness continues to grow in the United States

FDA: Guidance document on diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus

GOP is preparing its strategy, version of health overhaul legislation

GOP slams House health bill, Dems face hurdles before floor votes

Hospitals and medical centers partner to share quality data to improve breast cancer treatment

Congressman Mike Thompson lauded for endorsing the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act

HHS issues interim final rule with request for comments to strengthen enforcement of HIPAA

AltaMed Health Services opens its newest Adult Day Health Care center in Cypress

U.S. Senate's unanimous confirmation of Dr. Benjamin as Surgeon General commended

2009 mHealth Summit discusses to integrate science and wireless solutions to improve public health

Annual dental expenditure of Ohio and Georgia residents is less than the national average

Shire announces third quarter 2009 financial results

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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