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Research shows how diet can improve health in the elderly

Adapting diets to reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer’s or osteoporosis and more generally to improve health among the elderly are some of the possibilities revealed by EU research on nutrition and health.

29 Nov 2004

Older Australians face a tough time in court

New research has revealed that many older Australians find themselves at a distinct disadvantage when fronting court because of hearing impairment, physical immobility and difficulty coping with complex procedures.

29 Nov 2004

U.S. pharmacists not opposed to importing drugs to lower patients' costs

Many community pharmacists are not opposed to importing drugs to lower patients' costs as long as those drugs are channeled through U.S. pharmacies to ensure safety and efficacy, according to a study by pharmacists at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Michigan.

24 Nov 2004

Topical cream alternative to Vioxx

A clinical study recently published in The Journal of Rheumatology concludes that a topical cream consisting of a blend of natural oils called cetylated fatty acids significantly increased range of motion and physical performance in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee with no reported side effects.

24 Nov 2004

BMA calls for safeguards on ID cards

Responding to yesterday's Queen's Speech (Tuesday 23 November 2004), Mr James Johnson, chairman of the British Medical Association, warned that legislation to introduce national ID cards must not lead to vulnerable groups being denied access to the NHS.

24 Nov 2004

Risk of a blocked vessel stroke increases nearly twofold in young women with a history of stroke

Young women with a family history of stroke in their parents or siblings may be at increased risk for stroke themselves, according to a new report.

23 Nov 2004

Wisconsin reports increase in senior abuse

Reports of elder abuse increased by 3.6 percent in 2003, according to a report released by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

20 Nov 2004

Americans should keep taking vitamin E supplements

"To E or not to E," a question prompted by a controversial analysis released last week, is addressed by leading researchers and physicians who recommend that Americans keep taking vitamin E supplements in recommended amounts for overall health benefits.

18 Nov 2004

Majority of seniors switch their primary care physicians because they are forced to

Nearly nine out of ten seniors switch their primary care physicians because they are forced to – not by choice. That's the finding of research published in the November edition of The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice.

18 Nov 2004

Canadian prescription drugs

Canadian pharmacies that mail prescription drugs to U.S. patients have been backed into a no-win situation by the Canadian government and the provincial medical and pharmacy associations.

16 Nov 2004

10,000 abused women across Spain to receive a prototype personal alarm system

Early next year 10,000 abused women across Spain are due to receive a prototype personal alarm system operated by Vodafone and the Red Cross. The system stems from the results of CONFIDENT, which developed mobile services to enhance the independence of people with special needs.

16 Nov 2004

36% of cancer patients ages 65 and older participate in clinical trials

A new study finds that only 36% of cancer patients ages 65 and older participate in clinical trials, despite making up 60% of the U.S. cancer population. The study will be published November 15 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO).

14 Nov 2004

Most food stamp beneficiaries can’t afford heart-healthy food

Most food stamp beneficiaries can’t afford heart-healthy food options, according to a study of low-income, African-American-residents in a Boston neighborhood that was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2004.

11 Nov 2004

Dietary supplement DHEA could play a role in reducing abdominal fat in elderly men and women

Preliminary research indicates that the dietary supplement DHEA could play a role in reducing abdominal fat in elderly men and women with age-related decreases in DHEA levels, according to a study in the November 10 issue of JAMA.

10 Nov 2004

Metabolic syndrome associated with cognitive decline in elderly persons

Elderly individuals with the metabolic syndrome, a grouping of several common conditions including abdominal obesity, low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the “good cholesterol”), hypertension, and high triglyceride and blood sugar levels, are more likely to experience cognitive impairment than those without this syndrome, according to a study in the November 10 issue of JAMA.

10 Nov 2004

Medicare to reimburse preventive cholesterol screening

As the nation's leading cardiologists gather for the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2004, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) has announced the 2005 Physician Fee Schedule, which guarantees access to preventive cholesterol screenings for 39 million Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.

9 Nov 2004

One in six U.S. adults suffered from back pain every single day during the past month

The survey of 1,014 U.S. adults revealed some vivid findings including the fact that people suffering from back pain are dealing with the issue an average of 14 days per month and often don't seek the advice of trained professionals to treat or improve their condition.

8 Nov 2004

Hong Kong launches flu vaccination programme

To prevent the spread of flu in the coming peak season, it is important that the public and private sectors work together to provide influenza vaccinations to members of the public.

8 Nov 2004

Obesity could more than double an older woman's risk of acute myelogenous leukemia

A study from the University of Minnesota Cancer Center indicates that overweight and obesity could more than double an older woman's risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), an often fatal cancer of the bone marrow and blood.

8 Nov 2004

Results of the largest study to date to identify the best ways to assess and treat elderly patients

No single approach in terms of assessment (universal or targeted assessment to those with the greatest health-care needs) nor the location of treatment (primary care or hospital geriatric department) was found to offer substantial advantages in terms of reduced mortality or quality of life.

5 Nov 2004