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New research may influence development of anti-viral therapies to fight against Dengue

New research into the fight against Dengue, an insect-borne tropical disease that infects up to 390 million people worldwide annually, may influence the development of anti-viral therapies that are effective against all four types of the virus.

3 Aug 2013

Burning incense generates indoor air pollutants that may cause inflammation in human lung cells

Burning incense, a popular cultural practice in Arabian Gulf countries and elsewhere, generates indoor air pollutants that may cause inflammation in human lung cells, say researchers in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

3 Aug 2013

FDA publishes new regulation defining "gluten-free" for food labeling to protect people with celiac disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a new regulation defining the term "gluten-free" for voluntary food labeling. This will provide a uniform standard definition to help the up to 3 million Americans who have celiac disease, an autoimmune digestive condition that can be effectively managed only by eating a gluten free diet.

3 Aug 2013

Employees who work long hours with high job demands are more likely to develop depression

Employees who work long hours with high job demands are more likely to develop depression, suggests a study in the August Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

3 Aug 2013

New survey commissioned by PhRMA identifies America's top health priorities

A new survey commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America shows 86 percent of Americans believe developing cures for more forms of cancer should be one of the top national health priorities, followed by developing effective treatments for heart disease (78 percent) and more intensive medical care for seniors (76 percent).

2 Aug 2013

NCDP joins Earth Institute

The National Center for Disaster Preparedness, a research, policy and education institution that has worked for the past decade across the United States to strengthen responses to extreme weather, terrorism and other threats, has joined Columbia University's Earth Institute.

2 Aug 2013

State highlights: Brooklyn hospital files for bankruptcy plans to close; N.D. abortion law blocked; Texas women's health program serving thousands less

A selection of health policy stories from New York, North Dakota, Texas, Minnesota and California.

2 Aug 2013

Visual images of skin cancer most effective in prompting skin self-examinations

Seeing pictures of skin cancer motivates people to regularly check their own moles, according to a new research paper from the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo.

2 Aug 2013

Deletion of a protein improves ability to fight bacteria in mice with CGD

Deletion of a protein in white blood cells improves their ability to fight the bacteria staphylococcus aureus and possibly other infections in mice with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), according to a National Institutes of Health study. CGD, a genetic disorder also found in people, is marked by recurrent, life-threatening infections. The study's findings appear online in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

2 Aug 2013

LSUHSC dental school wins $1.8M grant to educate students about caring for HIV/AIDS patients

The LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Dentistry has been awarded a $1.8 million grant over five years by the Health Resources and Services Administration to support a "Community-Based Dental Partnership." Under the direction of Robert Barsley, DDS, JD, the program educates dental and dental hygiene students about caring for patients with HIV/AIDS, provides dental services to this patient population, and monitors quality of care.

2 Aug 2013

Soaring rates of peripheral artery disease call for global attention

The number of people with peripheral artery disease worldwide has risen dramatically (by 23.5%) in just 10 years, from about 164 million in 2000 to 202 million in 2010, according to the first robust global estimates, published in The Lancet.

1 Aug 2013

New report shows that access to clean water and soap may boost growth in children

Improving water quality and hygiene practices may improve the growth of children, according to a new report. The Cochrane review – authored by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and WaterAid – found evidence of small but significant improvements in growth of children under the age of five who have access to clean water and soap.

1 Aug 2013

N.Y. appellate court upholds decision blocking NYC's big soda ban

The panel said the city board of health acted outside its authority in imposing the ban, which would have prevented restaurants, theaters and food carts from selling sodas and other sugary drinks in excess of 16 ounces. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he planned to appeal the ruling.

1 Aug 2013

Experts say action needed urgently to ensure India's new policy does not backfire

In an editorial published online today in BMJ, Johns Hopkins bioethicist Jeremy Sugarman and other experts warn that action is urgently needed to deal with possible unintended consequences of India's new policy protecting research participants.

1 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: GOP's shutdown vow; Peter Orszag defends rationale behind Medicare payment board

A dozen Republicans in the Senate have said they'd rather shut down the government than provide funding for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the 2010 healthcare reform law better known as Obamacare. Meanwhile, more than 60 Republicans in the House have called on their leadership to cut off all federal support for the law in the coming fiscal year. And they complain when President Obama doesn't hold up his end of the bargain? (7/30).

1 Aug 2013

Prevention against EEE and West Nile virus is within everyone's control

Every year reported cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and the West Nile virus surface in communities around the country, raising concerns and questions about mosquito borne-illnesses. Despite reports that children and the elderly are at greatest risk, anyone can be stricken by these viruses. But prevention is within everyone's control.

1 Aug 2013

FDA recalls Nova Max Blood Glucose Test Strips due to faulty readings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with Nova Diabetes Care to recall 21 lots of glucose test strips marketed under the brand names Nova Max Blood Glucose Test Strips and Nova Max Plus Glucose Meter Kits. Nova Diabetes Care announced a recall on July 26, 2013.

1 Aug 2013

Ohio lawmaker introduces Medicaid expansion bill; Mich. readies legislative moves on expansion

In Michigan, a committee vote on the expansion could come today. Elsewhere, New Hampshire and Wisconsin are considering expansion of coverage to childless adults, among others.

1 Aug 2013

Experts address ethical issues raised by FDA's approval of Truvada for HIV prevention

The Food and Drug Administration's approval last year of the drug Truvada for prevention of HIV infection was a milestone in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but experts are cautioning that it is only the beginning of new ethical concerns for health care professionals, policy makers, researchers and those taking Truvada to prevent HIV infection.

1 Aug 2013

Washing down sugary breakfast cereal with milk after eating may prevent cavities

Washing down sugary breakfast cereal with milk after eating reduces plaque acid levels and may prevent damage to tooth enamel that leads to cavities, according to new research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

1 Aug 2013

Public Health News and Research

New research may influence development of anti-viral therapies to fight against Dengue

Burning incense generates indoor air pollutants that may cause inflammation in human lung cells

FDA publishes new regulation defining "gluten-free" for food labeling to protect people with celiac disease

Employees who work long hours with high job demands are more likely to develop depression

New survey commissioned by PhRMA identifies America's top health priorities

NCDP joins Earth Institute

State highlights: Brooklyn hospital files for bankruptcy plans to close; N.D. abortion law blocked; Texas women's health program serving thousands less

Visual images of skin cancer most effective in prompting skin self-examinations

Deletion of a protein improves ability to fight bacteria in mice with CGD

LSUHSC dental school wins $1.8M grant to educate students about caring for HIV/AIDS patients

Soaring rates of peripheral artery disease call for global attention

New report shows that access to clean water and soap may boost growth in children

N.Y. appellate court upholds decision blocking NYC's big soda ban

Experts say action needed urgently to ensure India's new policy does not backfire

Viewpoints: GOP's shutdown vow; Peter Orszag defends rationale behind Medicare payment board

Prevention against EEE and West Nile virus is within everyone's control

FDA recalls Nova Max Blood Glucose Test Strips due to faulty readings

Ohio lawmaker introduces Medicaid expansion bill; Mich. readies legislative moves on expansion

Experts address ethical issues raised by FDA's approval of Truvada for HIV prevention

Washing down sugary breakfast cereal with milk after eating may prevent cavities

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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