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Scientists discover lead contamination in ceramic cookware sold in Philadelphia's Chinatown

Recently, a research team from the Department of Emergency Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University discovered an alarming amount of lead contamination in ceramic cooking and eating utensils sold in Philadelphia's Chinatown.

1 Mar 2011

Infant feeding policy requires major overhaul

In a briefing document issued today (28 February) by the Centre for Parenting Culture Studies (CPCS) at the University of Kent, Dr Ellie Lee argues that policy on infant feeding requires a major overhaul if it is to be fit for purpose.

1 Mar 2011

Researchers report 'surprisingly little' evidence that economic downturns are associated with deep development aid cuts

Despite concerns expressed by the World Bank and the WHO that the current economic climate would lead donor countries to scale back development assistance, a study published online Friday in the WHO Bulletin finds what the authors "described as 'surprisingly little' evidence that economic downturns are associated with deep cuts in aid, at least in the first few years of a financial crisis," Reuters reports.

1 Mar 2011

TPSAC ignoring statutory mandate to examine negative health effects of contraband cigarettes

"Two of the nation's largest cigarette makers on Friday asked a federal court to stop the Food and Drug Administration from relying on recommendations made by an advisory panel on issues such as menthol cigarettes."

1 Mar 2011

Two genes linked to binge drinking

University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers have identified two genes associated with binge drinking that may open doors to new, more effective treatments for excessive alcohol drinking. The scientists found that manipulating two receptors in the brain, GABA receptors and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), "caused profound reduction" of binge drinking for two weeks in rodents that had been bred and trained to drink excessively. The study was published online the week of Feb. 28 in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

1 Mar 2011

HHS awards two contracts to accelerate flu vaccine availability

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded two contracts today to help make vaccine available more quickly for seasonal flu outbreaks and pandemics. The contracts for advanced development of new types of vaccine and new ways to make flu vaccine known as next-generation recombinant influenza vaccine total $215 million.

28 Feb 2011

Sugary drinks and high blood pressure: Study establishes a link

A new study has found that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda pop and fruit drinks may increase blood pressure in adults. The results of the study came in Tuesday’s online issue of Hypertension, Journal of the American Heart Association.

28 Feb 2011

BUSM Professor receives funding for research on obesity in African-American women

Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) is one of five institutions receiving funding from the Aetna Foundation to support research designed to deepen understanding of the root causes of the nation’s well-documented obesity epidemic and drive viable solutions to the core problems. More than $1 million in funding will be granted in support of separate studies at BUSM, New York University School of Medicine, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University’s CARE program.

28 Feb 2011

Health law ups the ante in state-federal Medicaid budget battle

As this health insurance program for low-income people continues to place a huge burden on state budgets, governors are pressing for more flexibility regarding Medicaid's eligibility standards. The health law's expansion of this program — scheduled to take effect in 2014 — adds a sense of imperative to the conversation, as do the spending cuts being considered by Congress.

28 Feb 2011

First Edition: February 28, 2011

Today's headlines include news about the budge struggles the nation's governors continue to face -- with Medicaid spending a central issue.

28 Feb 2011

Alexion joins EURORDIS, NORD and medical communities to observe Rare Disease Day 2011

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. joins the European Organization for Rare Diseases, the National Organization for Rare Disorders and families, governments, companies and medical communities around the world in observing the fourth annual Rare Disease Day today.

28 Feb 2011

Survey: 65% of patients in hospitals experience pain prevalence

Nearly two-thirds of the hospital in-patients who took part in a survey had experienced pain in the last 24 hours and 42% of those rated their pain as more than seven out of ten, where ten was the worst pain imaginable, according to the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

28 Feb 2011

New national campaign to help reduce risk of pressure ulcers in hospital and post-acute care settings

ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, today announced the introduction of a new national campaign to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers in hospital and post-acute care settings.

28 Feb 2011

ABC program greatly reduces asthma-related ED visits in preschool children

Nearly one in eleven preschool children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with asthma and in some inner city neighborhoods, the figure is closer to one in seven. But, few asthma management programs are designed for parents of preschool children.

28 Feb 2011

New study: Little historical evidence justifies economic downturns linked with large cuts in health aid

The World Bank and World Health Organization have voiced fears that policymakers will break their commitments to support desperately needed global health services in low- and middle-income countries because of the ongoing global economic downturn. Yet, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health, there is surprisingly little historical evidence to justify reversing these commitments.

28 Feb 2011

Scientists identify new pathogen linked to childhood dental disease

Researchers at The Forsyth Institute have made a significant discovery about the nature of childhood dental disease. The scientific studies led by Anne Tanner, BDS, Ph.D., identified a new pathogen connected to severe early childhood caries.

28 Feb 2011

New study identifies recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users

Botulism is a rare disease and recurrent botulism even more rare. However, in California, recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users has been on the rise and makes up three-quarters of reported cases in the United States.

28 Feb 2011

Authorities work to contain measles scare

Health authorities are trying to prevent an outbreak of measles after a woman carrying the transmissible infection travelled widely throughout the United States. The lady in question, 27, allegedly contracted the airborne virus in the United Kingdom and arrived in the United States last week, passing through three U.S. airports on her way to New Mexico, where she is believed to reside. She arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, February 22, from London.

28 Feb 2011

Study may help explain link between education and lower risk of heart disease

Freshmen on the eve of finals and graduate students staring down a thesis committee may not feel this way, but the privilege of obtaining an advanced education correlates with decades of lower blood pressure, according to a study led by a public health researcher at Brown University. The benefit appears to be greater for women than for men.

27 Feb 2011

New policy research brief examines patients at risk of losing care under health center spending cuts

A new policy research brief released today by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services examines the characteristics of patients whose access to health center services is at risk because of a potential $1.3 billion in direct spending cuts for community health centers.

25 Feb 2011

Public Health News and Research

Scientists discover lead contamination in ceramic cookware sold in Philadelphia's Chinatown

Infant feeding policy requires major overhaul

Researchers report 'surprisingly little' evidence that economic downturns are associated with deep development aid cuts

TPSAC ignoring statutory mandate to examine negative health effects of contraband cigarettes

Two genes linked to binge drinking

HHS awards two contracts to accelerate flu vaccine availability

Sugary drinks and high blood pressure: Study establishes a link

BUSM Professor receives funding for research on obesity in African-American women

Health law ups the ante in state-federal Medicaid budget battle

First Edition: February 28, 2011

Alexion joins EURORDIS, NORD and medical communities to observe Rare Disease Day 2011

Survey: 65% of patients in hospitals experience pain prevalence

New national campaign to help reduce risk of pressure ulcers in hospital and post-acute care settings

ABC program greatly reduces asthma-related ED visits in preschool children

New study: Little historical evidence justifies economic downturns linked with large cuts in health aid

Scientists identify new pathogen linked to childhood dental disease

New study identifies recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users

Authorities work to contain measles scare

Study may help explain link between education and lower risk of heart disease

New policy research brief examines patients at risk of losing care under health center spending cuts

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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