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Use resources efficiently to end AIDS epidemic

"[O]ne thing I've learned from working on HIV/AIDS my entire political career -- we are far better united than divided," Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) writes in a Politico opinion piece, noting examples of bipartisan legislation that "help to slow the rate of infections and reduce the number of deaths from AIDS."

1 Dec 2012

Traveling med tech indicted on new charges related to hepatitis C outbreak

The technician was indicated Wednesday in New Hampshire on 14 new charges. The outbreak involved more than 30 patients in New Hampshire while people in a number of other states were exposed.

1 Dec 2012

Penn study provides insight on how vacant land affects neighborhood health

As public health researchers continue efforts to understand the effects of neighborhood conditions on health, residents themselves can provide valuable insights regarding public health issues and potential solutions.

1 Dec 2012

Study of hospital-acquired infection yields potential therapeutic target

Researchers in the Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory at Virginia Bioinformatics Institute have discovered how a common diarrhea-causing bacterium sends the body's natural defenses into overdrive, actually intensifying illness while fighting infection.

30 Nov 2012

Mo. governor wants Medicaid expansion; Other states consider health exchanges

After mulling the controversial decision, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday he wants the state to expand Medicaid, a key part of the health law, but he faces substantial opposition from Republicans who control the legislature. Meanwhile, some states continue to wrestle with issues related to health exchanges.

30 Nov 2012

CINJ experts available to comment on importance and uses of blood donations

Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. According to the American Red Cross, more than 44,000 blood donations are needed each day. With just one donation of a pint of blood, up to three lives can be saved. Nationally, less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood. In New Jersey, according to the state Department of Health fewer than four percent of eligible residents donate regularly, resulting in the critical need for blood donations.

30 Nov 2012

Broad range of human activities affects spread of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, experts say

West Nile virus, Lyme disease, dengue fever, and plague are examples of "vector-borne zoonotic diseases," caused by pathogens that naturally infect wildlife and are transmitted to humans by vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks.

30 Nov 2012

States, courts, employers contend with health law's requirements

News outlets follow developments on health insurance exchanges, requirements for mental health parity and employer coverage and assess still-pending lawsuits

30 Nov 2012

Delaying treatment affects mortality rates among women with breast cancer

Results from a new study conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James) show women who wait more than 60 days to begin treatment for advanced breast cancer face significantly higher risks of dying than women who start therapy shortly after diagnosis.

30 Nov 2012

AES honors University of Florence neuroscientist with Epilepsy Research Recognition Award

Renzo Guerrini, M.D., Director and Professor of Pediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, Italy, has been named recipient of the 2012 Epilepsy Research Recognition Award for Clinical Science conferred by the American Epilepsy Society (AES).

30 Nov 2012

Journal article proposes framework to guide career development in health systems improvement

The sheer number of efforts aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the U.S. health care system - ranging from portions of the national Affordable Care Act to local programs at individual hospitals and practices - reflects the urgency and importance of the task.

30 Nov 2012

Some people choose out-of-network care in emergency situations

Forty percent of people who received health care outside of their insurance network did so out of necessity, finds a new study in Health Services Research. About half of those patients did not know how much they would have to pay for their out-of-network care. Out-of- network care can occur during an emergency medical situation or when the network status of a physician or hospital is unknown or if an in-network doctor is unavailable.

30 Nov 2012

Children's Medical Center NICU receives Level IV designation

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children's Medical Center has been designated a Level IV NICU, the highest qualification for such programs, as established by the American Academy of Pediatrics under newly revised standards.

30 Nov 2012

IPS examines PEPFAR guidance on family planning in light of new AIDS blueprint

Noting the U.S. government on Thursday "unveiled a major new strategy for pushing towards achieving an 'AIDS-free generation,'" Inter Press Service writes, "The far-reaching new blueprint for what's known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is being widely lauded, yet little attention has been given to a document, published in October, that stipulates how new PEPFAR funding can be used."

30 Nov 2012

European health officials warn Greece to address increasing number of HIV cases

Officials with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said Greece must act to combat a rising number of HIV cases within high-risk populations, including drug users, or face increased health care costs in the future, Reuters reports.

30 Nov 2012

Rural cancer survivors more likely to have poor health outcomes

Cancer survivors who live in rural areas are more likely to say they are in poor health than those who live in urban areas, according to a study in the journal Cancer. They are also more likely to have other health disorders, more psychological distress, and be unemployed due to health reasons than city dwellers.

30 Nov 2012

Medically unexplained symptoms cause relevant annual excess costs in health care

This study highlights that medically unexplained symptoms cause relevant annual excess costs in health care that are comparable to mental health problems like depression or anxiety disorders and which may be reduced by interventions targeting physicians as well as patients. More extensive research on indirect costs and cost-effectiveness is needed.

30 Nov 2012

U.S. must continue to lead in HIV/AIDS investments but everyone needs to increase efforts

The "Blueprint for an AIDS-free Generation," released on Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "shows that upfront investments to support the rapid scale-up of lifesaving AIDS treatment will yield significant savings -- of both lives and dollars -- in the near future," Archbishop Desmond Tutu, archbishop emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa, writes in the Huffington Post's "Impact" blog.

30 Nov 2012

More widespread HIV treatment helped South Africa increase life expectancy, researchers say

With the average life expectancy for South Africans at 60 years old, the country "has achieved a 'stunning' increase in life expectancy in the last three years due to a government push to roll out antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to people with HIV/AIDS," according to a study published in the Lancet on Thursday, Reuters reports.

30 Nov 2012

December issue of Neurosurgical Focus explores sports-related concussions

The JNS Publishing Group is pleased to announce that the December issue of Neurosurgical Focus is dedicated to Concussion: Pathophysiology & Sequelae.

30 Nov 2012