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New York Times examines factors contributing to presence of 'exotic' infectious diseases in New York City

"When New York City's health department revealed last weekend that three people had contracted cholera, it was a reminder that the city is not just a world capital of arts, business and the like - but also of exotic diseases," the New York Times writes in an article that explores how diseases from around the world often make their way to the city through its diverse population of travelers.

14 Feb 2011

Men and women who eat berries may have lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease

New research shows men and women who regularly eat berries may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, while men may also further lower their risk by regularly eating apples, oranges and other sources rich in dietary components called flavonoids.

13 Feb 2011

HIV trials and tribulations

A report published online February 8 in PLoS Medicine shows that mass behaviour changes could be credited with helping to remarkably reduce the number of people infected with HIV in Zimbabwe in recent years. These changes include declines in extramarital, commercial, and casual sexual relations, as well as a decline in multiple partners. These have been triggered by increased awareness of AIDS deaths and fear of infection and to some extent by the country’s economic deterioration.

13 Feb 2011

Research roundup: Access to care in Mass.; Mental health spending; Gender and medical debt: How much do Americans know about health law?

Health Affairs: Lack Of Access Due To Costs Remains A Problem For Some In Massachusetts Despite The State's Health Reforms - Based on an analysis of state data, the authors found that the percentage of people without insurance fell "to twelve-year lows in Massachusetts, from 11.5 percent (SE 0.91) in 1996 to 3.5 percent (SE 0.33) in 2008.

11 Feb 2011

Genetic testing for inherited blood-clotting abnormalities not routinely recommended for VTE patients

Genetic testing for inherited blood-clotting abnormalities is not routinely recommended for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) of unknown cause, according to a new expert panel statement in a recent issue of Genetics in Medicine, the official peer-reviewed journal of The American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG).

11 Feb 2011

Pyrethroid insecticides linked to delayed mental development in children

When the EPA phased out the widespread residential use of chlorpyrifos and other organophosphorus (OP) insecticides in 2000-2001 because of risks to child neurodevelopment, these compounds were largely replaced with pyrethroid insecticides. But the safety of these replacement insecticides remained unclear, as they had never been evaluated for long-term neurotoxic effects after low-level exposure.

11 Feb 2011

AAOS appreciates FDA's communication on metal-on-metal hip components in total hip arthroplasty

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today posted a public health communication about metal-on-metal hip components used in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) appreciates this thorough and well-considered look at the concerns surrounding the use of these implants.

11 Feb 2011

New trial tests surgery for Type 2 diabetes

A new clinical trial at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is among the first to test surgery specifically for Type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study is to understand whether surgery can control diabetes, as well or even better than the best medical treatment available today. This is the first study of its kind open to patients who are overweight or mildly obese.

11 Feb 2011

Athersys' MultiStem cell therapy provides multiple benefits in preclinical models of ischemic stroke

Medical researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) presented new research results at the American Heart Association International Stroke Conference that demonstrated how MultiStem-, a novel stem cell therapy being developed by Athersys, Inc. provided multiple benefits when administered in preclinical models of ischemic stroke.

11 Feb 2011

Viral infection of Leishmania leads to increased pathogenicity

A parasite and a virus may be teaming up in a way that increases the parasite's ability to harm humans, scientists at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report this week in Science.

11 Feb 2011

Minnesota makes progress in reducing tobacco usage and exposure to secondhand smoke

Findings from the latest Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS), published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, show that Minnesota is continuing to make progress in reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. The study is the most thorough and accurate source of information about tobacco use in Minnesota.

11 Feb 2011

Calorie Control Council: Study showing association between diet soft drink, stroke risk is critically flawed

The Calorie Control Council stated today that research findings presented during a poster session at the International Stroke Conference claiming an association between diet soft drink consumption and increased risk of stroke and heart attack are critically flawed.

11 Feb 2011

Global Health Consortium to support development of vaccines to control dengue fever

The International Vaccine Institute today announced the launch of the Dengue Vaccine Initiative, in collaboration with the Sabin Vaccine Institute, the Johns Hopkins University, and the World Health Organization, to support development of vaccines to control dengue fever, a widespread and expanding hemorrhagic fever that is endemic in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

10 Feb 2011

GE Healthcare, BHS announce planned implementation of HIE

GE Healthcare and Butler Health System, which serves Western Pennsylvania communities, have announced the planned implementation of a health information exchange to enable clinical information access between BHS and its affiliated and independent physicians, as well as referral hospitals outside of the immediate community.

10 Feb 2011

Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors laid bare

For the first time, researchers have laid bare the full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors, uncovering alterations that have never before been detected and offering a deep view of the genetic missteps that underlie the disease. The study, made possible by key advances in whole genome sequencing and analysis, points to several new prostate cancer genes and a critical category of genomic changes as important drivers of prostate cancer growth.

10 Feb 2011

Women with high folic acid levels may impact child's risk of developing asthma

Recent Norwegian research suggests that there may be a connection between high levels of folic acid in pregnant mothers and the development of asthma in their children. However, the researchers stress that pregnant women should continue to take folic acid supplements.

10 Feb 2011

FDLI's new Policy Forum takes close look on emerging health care liability issues

The ability of families to sue vaccine producers for faulty design could lead to a rise in litigation and force manufacturers to abandon the market, which, in turn, could cause disastrous public health consequences in the United States, assert Daniel J. Gage, Assistant Director and Alison R. Perencevich, Legislative Assistant, at the American Academy of Pediatrics' Department of Federal Affairs.

10 Feb 2011

Rhabdomyolysis episode at University of Iowa signals a public health crisis

On January 26, 2011, it was reported that 13 University of Iowa football players were affected so severely by rhabdomyolysis that they were hospitalized. Occurrences of rhabdomyolysis—muscle breakdown—are so rare that it suggests an additional causal factor, such as a drug.

10 Feb 2011

Avian flu vaccine stockpiled in 2004 still useful

A stockpiled vaccine designed to fight a strain of avian flu that circulated in 2004 can be combined with a vaccine that matches the current strain of bird flu to protect against a potential pandemic, researchers from Saint Louis University's Center for Vaccine Development have found.

10 Feb 2011

AHF commends LA City Council for legal study on tying condom use to adult-film production permits

On Friday, the Los Angles City Council voted unanimously on a motion to instruct the City Attorney to explore the feasibility of conditioning the issuance of film permits granted under City authority to the use of condoms in adult film productions.

10 Feb 2011

Public Health News and Research

New York Times examines factors contributing to presence of 'exotic' infectious diseases in New York City

Men and women who eat berries may have lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease

HIV trials and tribulations

Research roundup: Access to care in Mass.; Mental health spending; Gender and medical debt: How much do Americans know about health law?

Genetic testing for inherited blood-clotting abnormalities not routinely recommended for VTE patients

Pyrethroid insecticides linked to delayed mental development in children

AAOS appreciates FDA's communication on metal-on-metal hip components in total hip arthroplasty

New trial tests surgery for Type 2 diabetes

Athersys' MultiStem cell therapy provides multiple benefits in preclinical models of ischemic stroke

Viral infection of Leishmania leads to increased pathogenicity

Minnesota makes progress in reducing tobacco usage and exposure to secondhand smoke

Calorie Control Council: Study showing association between diet soft drink, stroke risk is critically flawed

Global Health Consortium to support development of vaccines to control dengue fever

GE Healthcare, BHS announce planned implementation of HIE

Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors laid bare

Women with high folic acid levels may impact child's risk of developing asthma

FDLI's new Policy Forum takes close look on emerging health care liability issues

Rhabdomyolysis episode at University of Iowa signals a public health crisis

Avian flu vaccine stockpiled in 2004 still useful

AHF commends LA City Council for legal study on tying condom use to adult-film production permits

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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