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Healthy eating habits can combat childhood obesity

Two new studies show how important forming healthy food and beverage habits can be in children and adolescents. This science adds to a growing body of evidence that has helped shape a new nutrition and physical activity program from the National Football League and National Dairy Council (NDC) called Fuel Up to Play 60.

2 Dec 2009

Kaiser Permanente announce grants to nonprofit organizations to help HIV/AIDS patients

Kaiser Permanente announced today that more than 60 nonprofit organizations from Kern to San Diego will receive grants totaling more than $750,000 to help fund a wide range of services for people with HIV and AIDS, including youth education, prevention, screening and treatment programs, as well as housing assistance and food pantries.

2 Dec 2009

Obesity research may be misrepresented by scientists working on bias topics, says UAB study

A new study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health shows that obesity research may be misrepresented by scientists operating with particular biases on topics related to weight, nutrition and the food industry.

1 Dec 2009

Op-eds on World AIDS Day: Research, funding, hunger, Uganda

The "National Institutes of Health - perhaps our best hope for funding a cure for AIDS - has been underfunded since 2003," Kate Krauss, director of the AIDS Policy Project, writes in a Philadelphia Inquirer opinion piece.

1 Dec 2009

Swine flu cases appear to have peaked

The current wave of pandemic H1N1 appears to have peaked, with four weeks of declines in several key indicators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. Despite the decrease, the outbreak is continuing to take a heavy toll of hospitalizations and deaths, especially among children.

1 Dec 2009

First ever study records an average of 753 aviation-related deaths each year

The first ever published study of aviation-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. finds an average of 1,013 patients are admitted to U.S. hospitals with aviation-related injuries annually, and that an average of 753 aviation-deaths occur each year.

1 Dec 2009

More than 1,013 patients get admitted to U.S. hospitals and 753 die due to aviation-related injuries

The first ever published study of aviation-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. finds that more than 1,013 patients are admitted to U.S. hospitals with aviation-related injuries annually, and that 753 aviation-deaths occur each year.

1 Dec 2009

Researchers identify better strategies to control weight in adolescents

Adolescent obesity is a major public health problem that impacts one out of every three children, resulting in 4-5 million overweight youth in the United States.

1 Dec 2009

Study examines racial disparities in hospitalization for white and black adults with preventable conditions

Receiving prompt treatment for common health problems like diabetes, pneumonia and high blood pressure can save patients trips to the hospital and thousands of dollars in medical care costs.

1 Dec 2009

Despite reservations, smoking ban has not increased children's exposure to secondhand smoke

A new study has shown that the introduction of smoke-free legislation has not led to an increase in children's exposure to secondhand smoke in their own homes.

1 Dec 2009

Translational Medicine Graduate Training Program awarded $700,000 HHMI grant

The Graduate Training Program in Translational Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been awarded a four-year, $700,000 "Med into Grad" renewal grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

1 Dec 2009

Drinking sugar-sweetened cola a week prior to pregnancy elevates diabetes during pregnancy

Researchers from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Public Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, have found for the first time that drinking more than 5 servings of sugar- sweetened cola a week prior to pregnancy appears to significantly elevate the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.

1 Dec 2009

Investigators identify effective weight control strategies for overweight adolescents

Adolescent obesity is a major public health problem that impacts one out of every three children, resulting in 4-5 million overweight youth in the United States. In a study published in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers evaluated differences in weight control behaviors, including dietary intake and physical activity, comparing overweight adolescents who lost weight and those who did not in order to better understand which strategies could be most effective.

1 Dec 2009

Childhood obesity can lead to spinal abnormalities

Being overweight as a child could lead to early degeneration in the spine, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

1 Dec 2009

Americans living in the Southern region may have elevated risk of dying from stroke

The "stroke belt" has a tight hold. People born in the Southern stroke belt have a higher risk of dying from stroke as adults, even if they later move away, compared to people who were born in other parts of the country.

1 Dec 2009

News outlets examine cholera in Zimbabwe, Kenya

TIME examines growing concerns about increasing risks of a cholera outbreak among the people of Zimbabwe, after an outbreak last year claimed "close to 5,000 lives in the country of 12 million."

1 Dec 2009

Centura Health establishes comprehensive trauma system across its regional facilities

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, trauma is the leading cause of death for Coloradans ages one to 44. Studies indicate that 30 to 40 percent of all trauma deaths occur within one hour of injury, and that 30 to 40 percent of these deaths are preventable if timely, appropriate care is received.

1 Dec 2009

Also in Global Health news: 'Positive deviance' approach to health; child malnutrition in Madagascar; Somalia's health system; weak harvests in West Africa; improving health equity

The Boston Globe examines "'positive deviance,' an approach to behavioral and social change. Instead of imposing solutions from without, the method identifies outliers in a community who, despite having no special advantages, are doing exceptionally well. By respecting local ingenuity, proponents say, the approach galvanizes community members and is often more effective and sustainable than imported blueprints."

30 Nov 2009

Senate Democrats face rocky road on the way to the health reform finish line

"The 60 votes aren't there any more," The Associated Press reports: "With the Senate set to begin debate Monday on health care overhaul, the all-hands-on-deck Democratic coalition that allowed the bill to advance is fracturing already. Yet majority Democrats will need 60 votes again to finish."

30 Nov 2009

WALFA project demonstrates alternative way to mitigate climate change

A landmark Australian project that mitigates the extent and severity of natural savannah blazes by deploying traditional Indigenous fire management techniques is being hailed as a model with vast global potential in the fights against climate change and biodiversity loss, and for protecting Indigenous lands and culture.

30 Nov 2009

Public Health News and Research

Healthy eating habits can combat childhood obesity

Kaiser Permanente announce grants to nonprofit organizations to help HIV/AIDS patients

Obesity research may be misrepresented by scientists working on bias topics, says UAB study

Op-eds on World AIDS Day: Research, funding, hunger, Uganda

Swine flu cases appear to have peaked

First ever study records an average of 753 aviation-related deaths each year

More than 1,013 patients get admitted to U.S. hospitals and 753 die due to aviation-related injuries

Researchers identify better strategies to control weight in adolescents

Study examines racial disparities in hospitalization for white and black adults with preventable conditions

Despite reservations, smoking ban has not increased children's exposure to secondhand smoke

Translational Medicine Graduate Training Program awarded $700,000 HHMI grant

Drinking sugar-sweetened cola a week prior to pregnancy elevates diabetes during pregnancy

Investigators identify effective weight control strategies for overweight adolescents

Childhood obesity can lead to spinal abnormalities

Americans living in the Southern region may have elevated risk of dying from stroke

News outlets examine cholera in Zimbabwe, Kenya

Centura Health establishes comprehensive trauma system across its regional facilities

Also in Global Health news: 'Positive deviance' approach to health; child malnutrition in Madagascar; Somalia's health system; weak harvests in West Africa; improving health equity

Senate Democrats face rocky road on the way to the health reform finish line

WALFA project demonstrates alternative way to mitigate climate change

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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