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High dew point triggers air quality alert for dangerous levels of mold in the Midwest

The heavy rains, hot temperatures and high dew point have triggered an air quality alert for dangerous levels of mold in the Midwest. "The interior mold exposure for homes experiencing flooding or water seepage will be even more toxic," warns Joseph Leija, MD, allergist who performs the Gottlieb Allergy Count, the official daily allergy count for the Midwest.

26 Aug 2014

Nursing homes can see improvements in quality of care with "culture change"

If a nursing home makes an extensive investment in "culture change" it will see improvements in quality of care, according to a new study led by Brown University gerontology researchers.

26 Aug 2014

Mindfulness training can brighten outlook on life for person with memory loss and caregiver

Mindfulness training for individuals with early-stage dementia and their caregivers together in the same class was beneficial for both groups, easing depression and improving sleep and quality of life, reports new Northwestern Medicine study.

26 Aug 2014

U.S. chief tech officer steps down, switches roles

Todd Park, who helped oversee the launch of healthcare.gov, will return to Silicon Valley as part of White House team trying to recruit top technology talent into government service and channel ideas from the tech community.

26 Aug 2014

EVERYAWARE develops AirProbe and Widenoise apps to increase awareness of environment

Air and noise pollution are among the most insidious threats to our health. But what if we could monitor both from our smartphones? The AirProbe and Widenoise apps, developed by an EU-funded research project called EVERYAWARE, have made this possible.

26 Aug 2014

Exchange customers now receiving subsidies should review tax issues

The Associated Press examines the tax credit issue. Other outlets look at issues surrounding the state insurance marketplaces in California, Maryland, Illinois, Connecticut and Minnesota.

26 Aug 2014

New ingredient in gluten-free products can cause allergic reaction

A popular new ingredient in gluten-free products could be causing an allergic reaction, according to a Kansas State University food safety specialist.

26 Aug 2014

Intervention program to help parents manage children's behaviors after being diagnosed with autism

In a first of its kind clinical trial, Debra Zand, Ph.D., and her team at Saint Louis University, will run an intervention program to help parents address and manage their children's challenging behaviors immediately after being diagnosed with autism.

26 Aug 2014

Couples' health rights raised in gay marriage case

As part of the court fight to overturn the ban on gay marriage in Wisconsin and Indiana, couples are pointing to problems they have in medical emergencies when their partners are not recognized.

26 Aug 2014

Loyola’s free prostate cancer screenings on September 17

As part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Loyola University Medical Center will offer free prostate cancer screenings on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

26 Aug 2014

Authors emphasize benefits of calcium and vitamin D supplements on bone health

Calcium and vitamin D are essential to keeping bones strong, dense and healthy as we age, as well as preventing bone loss, osteporosis, and skeletal fractures.

26 Aug 2014

Experts available to share tips on prevention of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in American women, with about 22,000 diagnosed and 14,000 dying from the disease each year. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and Mount Sinai experts are sharing tips on prevention.

26 Aug 2014

Viewpoints: Spreading Ebola treatments; Dems can win running on health law

A radical but promising proposal to help treat victims of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa appears to be gaining support among knowledgeable experts.

26 Aug 2014

Research delves into social norms and beliefs of teenage male electronic cigarette users

"The Social Norms and Beliefs of Teenage Male Electronic Cigarette Use," a research study published in Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse (Routledge), delves into the social norms and beliefs of teenage male electronic cigarette users.

26 Aug 2014

Recommendation by physician could halve racial disparity in who gets flu shot

Doctors should make a point of offering a flu vaccine to their patients. A simple reminder could considerably reduce the number of racial and ethnic minorities who currently do not vaccinate themselves against this common contagious respiratory illness.

26 Aug 2014

Blood bank industry shrinks

Changed medical practice has reduced the need for blood transfusions, spurring cutbacks and mergers in the blood industry. Meanwhile, Chicago and two counties in California are suing five companies for "aggressive marketing" of opioid painkillers, accusing them of fueling addiction.

26 Aug 2014

People with cognitive impairment are more likely to have stroke

People with cognitive impairment are significantly more likely to have a stroke, with a 39% increased risk, than people with normal cognitive function, according to a new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

26 Aug 2014

California requires insurers to provide abortion coverage

Spurred by faculty and staff outrage over the refusal by two Catholic universities to pay for elective abortions, Gov. Jerry Brown's administration on Friday announced that health insurance companies in the state can no longer deny coverage for these procedures. California's Department of Managed Health Care, which oversees HMOs, issued letters to seven insurance companies saying refusing to pay for any abortion, whether medically necessary or not, violates the state constitution and a 1975 state law (Seipel, 8/22).

26 Aug 2014

At home or in facilities, care for elderly changing rapidly

News outlets cover the reliability of nursing home ratings, the growth of home health care aides and the return of the house call.

26 Aug 2014

BD announces winners of 2014 "Innovations in Care" awards

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company – together with Direct Relief and the National Association of Community Health Centers – has announced the winners of the 2014 "Innovations in Care" awards to seven community health centers as part of the BD Helping Build Healthy CommunitiesSM initiative.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 26 Aug 2014