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WHA addresses counterfeit medicines

Discussions about combatting counterfeit medicines continued at the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Wednesday, Agence France-Press reports

21 May 2010

Weight Watchers group program helps obese adults lose weight, reduce glucose and insulin levels

The 57 million Americans currently living with "pre-diabetes" could benefit from a group weight loss program, like Weight Watchers, according to a new study published in this month's American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Researchers found that after a 6-month Weight Watchers group program, overweight or obese adults who attended at least two thirds of the weekly sessions, not only lost weight, but also significantly reduced fasting glucose and insulin levels - important indicators of diabetes risk.

20 May 2010

AANS/CNS issue statement on Congress hearing of impact of concussions on high school athletes

On Thursday, May 20, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing to learn more about the impact of concussions on high school athletes and how the injury can impact academic achievement. A concussion is an injury to the brain that results in loss of normal brain function and is usually temporary.

20 May 2010

3rd Annual Maywood Multicultural Farmers Market to feature health screenings, cooking tips

For years, Maywood residents traveled miles to the nearest grocery store to find a healthy selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. To help shorten their trips, Loyola University Health System and students from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine have teamed up with the Village of Maywood Special Events Committee, Maywood Public Library, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners Program and community residents to run the 3rd Annual Maywood Multicultural Farmers Market.

20 May 2010

Public health and HIV/AIDS prevention policies should reflect and work with evolution of sexual behavior

HIV/Aids prevention campaigns which take into account changing sexual trends and social norms are more effective than campaigns which ignore them, according to the results of a series of surveys conducted in France. The findings will be published in the forthcoming issue of AIDS, the leading journal in the field of HIV and AIDS research.

20 May 2010

Canadian Cancer Society advocates for greater access to quality palliative care

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, making end-of-life care a growing concern as the population ages. This year's annual Canadian Cancer Statistics report, released by the Canadian Cancer Society, highlights the often heartbreaking challenges faced by dying cancer patients and their friends and family members who often take on the role of caregivers.

20 May 2010

Modern malaria control efforts counteract effects of rising temperatures: Scientists

Contrary to a widespread assumption, global warming is unlikely to expand the range of malaria because of malaria control, development and other factors that are at work to corral the disease.

20 May 2010

Child's autism does not affect family structure

Having a child with autism can put stress on the parents' marriage, and a frequently cited statistic leads to a common perception that the divorce rate among these families is as high as 80 percent. But a study to be released at a news conference today by researchers from Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore found that a child's autism has no effect on the family structure.

20 May 2010

Research shows improved treatment of severe epilepsy reduces overall cost of the condition

Improved treatment of severe epilepsy could reduce the overall cost of the condition, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Research at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

20 May 2010

FDA Transparency Task Force releases 21 draft proposals for public comment on agency disclosure policies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Transparency Task Force today released 21 draft proposals for public comment on public disclosure policies aimed at helping consumers, stakeholders, and others understand how the agency operates and makes decisions. The Transparency Task Force will review the comments and decide which proposals to recommend for implementation.

20 May 2010

World Health Assembly news

Media outlets continue to track news emerging from the 63rd annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.

20 May 2010

Lancet special series examines TB worldwide

The Lancet released on Wednesday a special series on tuberculosis, which includes a series of papers and comments highlighting the need for new tools, the threat posed by drug-resistant strains, results of current control efforts and other issues about TB worldwide, Agence France-Presse reports.

20 May 2010

Air pollution associated with cardiopulmonary mortality, morbidity: Researchers

Breathing polluted air increases stress on the heart's regulation capacity, up to six hours after inhalation of combustion-related small particles called PM2.5, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

20 May 2010

Loyola University Chicago introduces new online doctorate degree program in bioethics

Classes have begun for Loyola University Chicago's new online doctorate degree program in bioethics, designed to provide advanced training in the ethical issues surrounding the complexities of modern medical research and clinical care.

20 May 2010

Children with new/recent onset epilepsy have slowed expansion of white matter volume

A newly published study reported that children with new/recent onset epilepsy have significantly slowed expansion of white matter volume compared to healthy children over a two year interval. The reduced white matter volume may affect brain connectivity and influence cognition. Results of this study conducted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health are now available online and will appear in the July issue of Epilepsia, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International League Against Epilepsy.

19 May 2010

Alternaria fungus produces more spores with increase in CO2 levels and makes life miserable for allergy, asthma sufferers

A new study of the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and plant growth suggests for the first time that not only do plants grow bigger and produce more pollen when exposed to higher levels of the greenhouse gas, CO2, but the common, allergen-producing fungus Alternaria alternate produces three times more spores when feeding on those enriched plants. The spores disperse on the wind, making allergies and asthma symptoms worse.

19 May 2010

Study demonstrates need for understanding societal, economic impact of growing medicalization

Menopause. Normal pregnancy. Infertility. ADHD. Erectile dysfunction. Over the last several decades, these conditions have come to be defined and treated as medical problems. They've been "medicalized." In the first study of its kind in the current issue of Social Science and Medicine, Brandeis researchers used national data to estimate the costs of these and a handful of other common conditions on escalating U.S. healthcare spending.

19 May 2010

Unhealthy coping behaviors lead to higher rates of physical health problems, earlier mortality

When people are under chronic stress, they tend to smoke, drink, use drugs and overeat to help cope with stress. These behaviors trigger a biological cascade that helps prevent depression, but they also contribute to a host of physical problems that eventually contribute to early death.

19 May 2010

Two common operations for SUI help women achieve similar levels of dryness: Study

Two common operations for stress urinary incontinence help women achieve similar levels of dryness, according to a team of urologists and urogynecologists who compared the treatments in a large U.S. trial supported by the National Institutes of Health. The study is being released online May 17, 2010, by the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with a presentation at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Results will appear in the June 3 print edition.

19 May 2010

WHO Director-General pushes for sustained commitment to MDGs at World Health Assembly

During her opening address to the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan called for increased global efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, PANA/Afrique en ligne reports. Chan also set-up several global health challenges to be addressed during the five-day meeting, according to the news service.

19 May 2010

Public Health News and Research

WHA addresses counterfeit medicines

Weight Watchers group program helps obese adults lose weight, reduce glucose and insulin levels

AANS/CNS issue statement on Congress hearing of impact of concussions on high school athletes

3rd Annual Maywood Multicultural Farmers Market to feature health screenings, cooking tips

Public health and HIV/AIDS prevention policies should reflect and work with evolution of sexual behavior

Canadian Cancer Society advocates for greater access to quality palliative care

Modern malaria control efforts counteract effects of rising temperatures: Scientists

Child's autism does not affect family structure

Research shows improved treatment of severe epilepsy reduces overall cost of the condition

FDA Transparency Task Force releases 21 draft proposals for public comment on agency disclosure policies

World Health Assembly news

Lancet special series examines TB worldwide

Air pollution associated with cardiopulmonary mortality, morbidity: Researchers

Loyola University Chicago introduces new online doctorate degree program in bioethics

Children with new/recent onset epilepsy have slowed expansion of white matter volume

Alternaria fungus produces more spores with increase in CO2 levels and makes life miserable for allergy, asthma sufferers

Study demonstrates need for understanding societal, economic impact of growing medicalization

Unhealthy coping behaviors lead to higher rates of physical health problems, earlier mortality

Two common operations for SUI help women achieve similar levels of dryness: Study

WHO Director-General pushes for sustained commitment to MDGs at World Health Assembly

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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