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Study finds heart failure diagnosis four times higher in most economically disadvantaged communities

Heart failure diagnosis is four times higher in the most economically disadvantaged communities and twice as high among South Asians a new study at the University of Leicester has found.

25 Jan 2011

Regulatory changes needed to protect public health from exposure to toxicants

Americans are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands, of suspected toxic substances every day, substances that affect the development and function of the brain, immune system, reproductive organs or hormones. Children are the most vulnerable. But no public health law requires product testing of most chemical compounds before they enter the marketplace.

25 Jan 2011

BD and Rady Children's announce innovative environmentally-friendly solution to dispose sharps wastes

BD, a leading global medical technology company, and Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego today announced that they have implemented an innovative pilot program at the Hospital that is designed to safely divert a significant percentage of BD sharps waste from landfills and utilize the recycled materials.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 25 Jan 2011

Wrigley launches school-based program to improve health, nutrition in school-age children

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation today announced the launch of a two-year, $3 million school health partnership with Save the Children. The initiative will be activated in six countries across the world, aimed at improving the health and nutrition of more than 273,000 school-age children in disadvantaged communities.

25 Jan 2011

Strong opposition to 'prescription-only' measures for OTC medicines with pseudoephedrine

More than 300 million Americans get the common cold, and up to 70 million get the flu annually. But for the 60 million people who also have asthma and allergies, a cold or flu can pose even greater risks. Together, these respiratory diseases take a devastating toll on public health, costing billions of dollars in direct medical expenses, reducing quality of life, lowering workplace and school performance, and can even be life-threatening to high-risk populations, such as asthma patients.

25 Jan 2011

Canada's new lowered exercise guidelines are only minimums for a sedentary population

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) says the new lowered exercise guidelines released today by the Public Health Agency of Canada represent minimums for a sedentary population, and will therefore not be applicable to all Canadians. Guidelines for exercise targets for Canadians should be based on health characteristics including health status and current activity levels.

25 Jan 2011

New study shows biomarker test can aid in early, precise diagnosis of melanoma

A new study shows that a test of biomarkers for DNA methylation is technically feasible and could aid in earlier, more precise diagnosis of melanoma.

24 Jan 2011

Roundup: Mass. BCBS chief on health costs; Georgia insurance exchange, Arizona waiver request

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed emergency legislation authorizing her to request a two-year waiver from the CMS to reduce Medicaid rolls by 280,000 people. Brewer said in a statement she intends to request the waiver as early as Monday. She added that she plans to meet with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in the coming weeks to discuss "the dire need for a Medicaid waiver for Arizona".

24 Jan 2011

Global Poverty Summit addresses MDGs, global trade policy

At the Global Poverty Summit January 16-19 in Johannesburg, South Africa, "academics, policy-makers, civil society activists and development workers ... agreed that the [U.N. Millennium Development Goals] MDGs have made a difference, but have fallen far short of the ambitious targets on poverty, education, health, gender equality and global partnership that 189 countries committed to achieving by 2015," IRIN reports.

24 Jan 2011

Two studies explore relationship between nutrition and asthma

Asthma is one of the world's most common chronic diseases, affecting as many as 300 million people. It is estimated that by 2025 there could be an additional 100 million people with the disease. This rapid increase in asthma is most likely due to changing environmental or lifestyle factors, and over the last 15 years, changing diet has emerged as a promising contributor. Two studies published in the in the February 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association explore the possible relationship between nutrition and asthma.

24 Jan 2011

College of Osteopathic Medicine receives grant to develop training program for medical students

Nova Southeastern University's medical school, the College of Osteopathic Medicine, recently received a $2.3 million federal grant to develop an academic curriculum to train medical and other students in the health professions to better meet the needs of patients in a changing national health care system.

24 Jan 2011

Environmental contaminant levels in mother's body decrease during breast-feeding: Study

The levels of environmental contaminants in a mother's body decrease during breast-feeding. After a year of lactation, the levels of a number of environmental contaminants in breast milk drop by 15 - 94 per cent, according to a recent study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. There has been little study into this topic previously.

24 Jan 2011

Roundup: NY Times on mental health cuts; Wis. GOP agenda moves ahead; Minn. Medicaid expansion

Gov. Mark Dayton said during his campaign that enrolling 95,000 people in an expanded Medicaid program would be his top priority when he took office -- and he meant it. Less than three weeks after he was told by members of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration that it could take until October to enact the change, Dayton announced Thursday that it would be done by March 1.

21 Jan 2011

NYC Council Member introduces legislation to prohibit fluoridation of water supply

On January 18, 2011, NYC Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. introduced legislation (Int 0463-2011) "prohibiting the addition of fluoride to the water supply

21 Jan 2011

Initiative to eliminate cervical cancer in North Carolina

Patricia Gregory of Cary was only 24 years old when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Now a mother of an 11-year-old daughter, she considers herself blessed to have a child, as cervical cancer can make women unable to bear children.

21 Jan 2011

Study highlights relationship between language and health care quality

Wayne State University researchers have found that when patients and providers speak the same language, patients report less confusion and better health care quality.

21 Jan 2011

WHO executive board meeting addresses agency's policy on counterfeit, substandard medications

According to the news service, WHO "members … raised strong concerns that a working group they mandated last May to address problems with WHO policy on counterfeit and substandard medicines has yet to be formed - with four months remaining before it must report back to members."

21 Jan 2011

Many couples misjudge partners' risk behaviors

While monogamy is often touted as a way to protect against disease, young couples who say they have discussed monogamy can't seem to agree on what they decided. And a significant percentage of those couples who at least agreed that they would be monogamous weren't.

21 Jan 2011

Fat linked with DNA chemical changes may help identify risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes

Fat appears to associate with some distinctive chemical changes in the DNA - a finding that may help explain why obesity can increase the risk for chronic problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, researchers report.

21 Jan 2011

New study reveals illicit HGH use among young American male weightlifters

A new study published in The American Journal on Addictions reveals that illicit use of HGH has become common among young American male weightlifters.

21 Jan 2011

Public Health News and Research

Study finds heart failure diagnosis four times higher in most economically disadvantaged communities

Regulatory changes needed to protect public health from exposure to toxicants

BD and Rady Children's announce innovative environmentally-friendly solution to dispose sharps wastes

Wrigley launches school-based program to improve health, nutrition in school-age children

Strong opposition to 'prescription-only' measures for OTC medicines with pseudoephedrine

Canada's new lowered exercise guidelines are only minimums for a sedentary population

New study shows biomarker test can aid in early, precise diagnosis of melanoma

Roundup: Mass. BCBS chief on health costs; Georgia insurance exchange, Arizona waiver request

Global Poverty Summit addresses MDGs, global trade policy

Two studies explore relationship between nutrition and asthma

College of Osteopathic Medicine receives grant to develop training program for medical students

Environmental contaminant levels in mother's body decrease during breast-feeding: Study

Roundup: NY Times on mental health cuts; Wis. GOP agenda moves ahead; Minn. Medicaid expansion

NYC Council Member introduces legislation to prohibit fluoridation of water supply

Initiative to eliminate cervical cancer in North Carolina

Study highlights relationship between language and health care quality

WHO executive board meeting addresses agency's policy on counterfeit, substandard medications

Many couples misjudge partners' risk behaviors

Fat linked with DNA chemical changes may help identify risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes

New study reveals illicit HGH use among young American male weightlifters

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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