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New poll shows 59% Massachusetts residents support state's health reform legislation

A new poll by the Harvard School of Public Health and The Boston Globe finds 59% of Massachusetts residents who are aware of the state's health reform legislation, which was enacted in 2006, support it. A little more than one in four oppose it (28%), and 13% are not sure. The level of public support for the law has declined somewhat in the last year, from 69% saying they support the law in 2008 to 59% in the current poll.

30 Sep 2009

CLF award for Baltimore City Public Schools

The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) today recognized the Baltimore City Public Schools with the Center's 2009 Award for Visionary Leadership in Local Food Procurement and Food Education.

30 Sep 2009

Non-domestic air pollution is a major concern, says report

Plumes of harmful air pollutants can be transported across oceans and continents -- from Asia to the United States and from the United States to Europe -- and have a negative impact on air quality far from their original sources, says a new report by the National Research Council.

30 Sep 2009

Ontario government files cost-recovery litigation against tobacco companies

The Canadian Cancer Society is pleased the Ontario government is suing tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs.

29 Sep 2009

Study: Role of genetics and environment in autism spectrum disorders

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of the West Indies have joined forces to launch a study of Jamaican children that they hope will unlock the secrets of how genetics and environment may interact to cause autism spectrum disorders.

29 Sep 2009

CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation for State Farm

State Farm has received CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ accreditation, recognizing the organization’s commitment to taking concrete actions to reduce the cancer risk of its employees and their families through screenings, early detection, and healthy changes in lifestyle and in the workplace.

29 Sep 2009

Benefits and harms of screening infants for hyperbilirubinemia still unclear

According to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening infants for hyperbilirubinemia to prevent chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition marked by a high level of bilirubin in the blood, which is often apparent as yellow-colored skin and eyes (jaundice).

29 Sep 2009

Baucus target of ad favoring a public option

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is the target of an advertising campaign by two progressive groups advocating for the inclusion of a public option in legislation to overhaul the health care systeml, according to Capitol Briefing, a Washington Post blog.

29 Sep 2009

Fourth annual Food Safety Symposium to be sponsored by Ecolab

Ecolab Inc. continued its commitment to proactively help improve global food safety by co-sponsoring the fourth annual Nation's Restaurant News' Food Safety Symposium.

29 Sep 2009

OTI to participate in new Extremity Trauma Clinical Research Consortium

The Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI) at the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and University of California, San Francisco has been chosen to serve as one of 12 core clinical centers in a newly established Extremity Trauma Clinical Research Consortium.

29 Sep 2009

Poor kidney function can affect brain activities

A new study published in the medical journal Neurology suggests that impaired kidney function is a risk factor for cognitive decline in old age.

29 Sep 2009

High-heels may lead to heel and ankle pain

Women should think twice before buying their next pair of high-heels or pumps, according to researchers at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in a new study of older adults and foot problems.

29 Sep 2009

Practical support important to achieve glycemic control in diabetic patients

For physicians treating patients with diabetes, practical support is important in improving glycemic control. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health found that setting goals and pro-active follow-up helped patients achieve good glycemic control.

29 Sep 2009

Flu shots available at Concentra Urgent Care locations

The flu season is in full swing, and health officials predict this year’s outbreak of seasonal influenza to be stronger than usual. To help protect against this highly contagious illness, Concentra is offering seasonal flu vaccines at more than 300 medical centers across the country.

29 Sep 2009

European Commission grants conditional marketing authorization for Gilead's Cayston

Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced today that the European Commission has granted conditional marketing authorization for Cayston® 75 mg powder and solvent for nebuliser solution (aztreonam lysine) for the suppressive therapy of chronic pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) aged 18 years and older.

28 Sep 2009

WellPoint covers administration costs for H1N1 vaccines

Each year, influenza causes illness, hospitalizations and deaths, and severely strains the health care delivery system. This year, seasonal flu is complicated by the emergence and rapid spread of the H1N1 virus. In an effort to ensure that individuals and their families can take the appropriate actions to help protect themselves against the H1N1 virus, WellPoint's affiliated health plans will cover the administration of the H1N1 vaccine without co-pay or deductible for all health plan members. Plans also are encouraging self-insured employers to cover the cost of the vaccination for their employees.

28 Sep 2009

AET-GPB educate Americans on the risks of childhood obesity

Aetna and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) have kicked off a 12-month statewide multi-media campaign to raise awareness of the increased risks of childhood obesity.

28 Sep 2009

American Lung Association in Indiana holds flu panel discussion

In an effort to educate Indianapolis area residents about the importance of annual seasonal influenza vaccination, the American Lung Association in Indiana is kicking off the 2009-2010 influenza season by holding a flu panel discussion at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School on September 24 at 6:30 p.m. to educate the community about the dangers of influenza.

28 Sep 2009

U.S. underfunds climate change health-related research

A recent commentary suggests that the U.S. should spend roughly $197 million more than it currently does to research the impact of climate change on public health.

28 Sep 2009

Health inequalities linked to socioeconomic status

Prostate cancer patients of low socioeconomic status are more likely to die than patients with higher incomes. That is the finding of a new study from Swiss researchers to be published in the December 1, 2009 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

28 Sep 2009