Public Health News and Research

RSS

Rally for passage of the Alcohol-Related Services Act

To advocate for the passage of AB 1019, the Alcohol-Related Services Act - Authored by Assembly Member Jim Beall (D-San Jose), the bill creates the Alcohol-Related Services Program within the California Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs.

4 Jan 2010

Rising prevalence of dementia will cripple Canadian families, the health care system and economy

A report released by the Alzheimer Society today to mark Alzheimer Awareness Month reveals alarming new statistics about the projected economic and social costs of dementia in Canada. Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, says that, if nothing changes the prevalence of dementia will more than double in 30 years, with the costs increasing ten-fold.

4 Jan 2010

Erectile dysfunction linked to RLS in older men

A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms.

3 Jan 2010

CMS and ONC issue regulations to implement widespread adoption of EHR incentive programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourage public comment on two regulations issued today that lay a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.

31 Dec 2009

Multivariable analyses identify epidemiological risk factors for ovarian cancer

Concentrations of the biomarkers CA125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and mesothelin began to rise 3 years before clinical diagnosis of ovarian cancer, according to a new study published online December 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. However, the biomarkers became substantially elevated only in the last year prior to diagnosis.

31 Dec 2009

Study says short-term school closures during flu pandemic may increase infection rates

Closing schools for less than two weeks during a flu pandemic may increase infection rates and prolong an epidemic, say University of Pittsburgh researchers in a study published ahead-of-print and online in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

31 Dec 2009

Presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae could predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza

The presence of the Streptococcus pneumoniae in samples that can be easily obtained in clinics and emergency rooms may predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza.

31 Dec 2009

CVS Caremark to provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at selected locations

CVS Caremark announced today that it will provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at select CVS/pharmacy locations in the States of Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania and New York as well at MinuteClinic locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut beginning Thursday, December 31.

30 Dec 2009

CLSI and APHL announce 2010 educational teleconferences

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) recently announced the January–June 2010 schedule of educational teleconferences for clinical, public health, and veterinary laboratories.

30 Dec 2009

Fred Pritzker calls on meat suppliers to pay medical bills incurred by victims of E. coli

National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is calling on National Steak and Poultry company to immediately pay all medical bills and lost wages incurred by victims of a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 associated with blade-tenderized steaks.

30 Dec 2009

Researchers develop automated system to differentiate strains of influenza

Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Children's Research Institute, and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin have developed a rapid, automated system to differentiate strains of influenza.

30 Dec 2009

Majority of small business owners do not support public health care option

Eighty-three percent of the owners of small businesses surveyed across Michigan do not support a government-operated health care plan as a public option for insurance, according to a new survey of the members of the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) and the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) headquartered in Warren. This is intriguing data as Michigan's economy has been under national scrutiny and the bills were designed to help small business.

30 Dec 2009

Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts

Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain and industry leader with more than 17,000 certified or licensed immunizers, is now offering H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts.

30 Dec 2009

Health gurus say recommit each Monday to resolve the smoking habit

On January 1st millions of Americans will resolve to quit smoking -- again. Yet many will resume their addiction by Groundhog's Day. Now authorities at Johns Hopkins and the American Cancer Society say it doesn't have to be that way. If a quitter falls off the wagon, the pros agree, just quit again the following Monday. And recommit to stay quit each Monday thereafter.

29 Dec 2009

NSP recalls E. coli contaminated beef steaks in six states

On Christmas eve the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a notice that National Steak and Poultry (NSP) was recalling 248,000 pounds of beef steaks contaminated with the highly virulent pathogen E. coli O157:H7. The steaks were mechanically tenderized “non-intact steaks”, and were shipped to restaurants nationwide.

29 Dec 2009

Over 5,000 "Not Recommended" Internet drug outlets

On December 11, 2009, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy(R) (NABP(R)) reached a bitter-sweet milestone in its ongoing review of Web sites selling prescription medications. NABP now lists more than 5,000 Internet drug outlets as Not Recommended. These sites -- 96% of the total number of sites reviewed -- have been found to be out of compliance with pharmacy laws and practice standards established in the United States to protect the public health.

29 Dec 2009

Selected store locations in Massachusetts, Virginia and California to receive H1N1 flu vaccinations

CVS/pharmacy announced today that it will provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at select store locations in Massachusetts, Virginia and Orange County, California beginning Tuesday, December 29.

29 Dec 2009

Childhood ETS may lead to emphysema

Children regularly exposed to tobacco smoke at home were more likely to develop early emphysema in adulthood. This finding by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health suggests that the lungs may not recover completely from the effects of early-life exposures to tobacco smoke (ETS). The study is published in the December 2009 American Journal of Epidemiology.

29 Dec 2009

Sudden worldwide increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterium, a cause for concern

A sudden worldwide increase in an antibiotic-resistant bacterium is cause for concern, according to a review in f1000 Medicine Reports.

28 Dec 2009

Second part of the 2009 Food Safety Naughty and Nice list released

Food Safety News, the web-based newspaper that covers all things food safety, today released the second part of its 2009 Food Safety Naughty and Nice list. The web-based newspaper’s “Naughty” list was published yesterday and included food safety missteps, missed opportunities, and downright dirty deeds.

28 Dec 2009

Public Health News and Research

Rally for passage of the Alcohol-Related Services Act

Rising prevalence of dementia will cripple Canadian families, the health care system and economy

Erectile dysfunction linked to RLS in older men

CMS and ONC issue regulations to implement widespread adoption of EHR incentive programs

Multivariable analyses identify epidemiological risk factors for ovarian cancer

Study says short-term school closures during flu pandemic may increase infection rates

Presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae could predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza

CVS Caremark to provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at selected locations

CLSI and APHL announce 2010 educational teleconferences

Fred Pritzker calls on meat suppliers to pay medical bills incurred by victims of E. coli

Researchers develop automated system to differentiate strains of influenza

Majority of small business owners do not support public health care option

Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts

Health gurus say recommit each Monday to resolve the smoking habit

NSP recalls E. coli contaminated beef steaks in six states

Over 5,000 "Not Recommended" Internet drug outlets

Selected store locations in Massachusetts, Virginia and California to receive H1N1 flu vaccinations

Childhood ETS may lead to emphysema

Sudden worldwide increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterium, a cause for concern

Second part of the 2009 Food Safety Naughty and Nice list released

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News