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U.S., Norway announce new private-public initiative to improve maternal health in developing countries

Speaking at a health conference in Norway on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the United States would provide $75 million a new private-public effort, dubbed "Saving Mothers, Giving Life," which aims "to improve the health of mothers and their babies in developing countries," Agence France-Presse reports.

5 Jun 2012

HCMS, ACOEM announce important expansion to Blueprint for Health

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and the HCMS Group have announced an important expansion to their "Blueprint for Health" - a free internet-based calculating tool that helps employers better comprehend and analyze the impact of medical costs, absence, and work impairment among their employees.

5 Jun 2012

A.M. Best upgrades FSR and ICR for ODSHP

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to B++ (Good) from B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to "bbb" from "bbb-" of ODS Health Plan, Inc. (ODSHP), a subsidiary of Oregon Dental Service.

5 Jun 2012

IRadimed receives Novation contract for MRidium MRI Infusion Pump Systems

Novation, the largest health care supply contracting company in the United States, has awarded IRadimed Corporation a three-year single source contract for its MRidium MRI Infusion Pump Systems.

5 Jun 2012

New algorithm can help ED physicians to reduce number of heart failure deaths

Physicians can reduce the number of heart failure deaths and unnecessary hospital admissions by using a new computer-based algorithm developed at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) that calculates each patient's individual risk of death. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the algorithm improves upon clinical decision-making and determines whether or not a patient with heart failure should be admitted to hospital.

5 Jun 2012

$25 million grant announced to improve states' care for frail elderly; Calif. seeks changes for those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

Stateline reports on a new HHS grant to help low-income adults with mental and physical disabilities remain in their communities. Meanwhile, California submits a plan to federal officials for the transition of dual eligibles to managed care.

5 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 4, 2012

Today's headlines include the latest news on implementation of the health law, on the pending Capitol Hill effort to repeal the medical device tax and reports from the states.

4 Jun 2012

New group-based learning approach for children with asthma

Many children suffers from asthma and to deal with everyday life can be hard for children and parents. They need knowledge. "To understand the children's challenges in everyday life health professionals should ask the child and also listen to them", says Anne Trollvik that is a nurse and an university lecturer.

4 Jun 2012

RMHCSC awards $328,000 in scholarship funds to Southland high school seniors

Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) awarded $328,000 in scholarship funds to exceptional high school seniors who reside in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

4 Jun 2012

WHO to continue discussion on R&D reform focusing on health needs in developing countries

"Proposals for new mechanisms to improve the funding and coordination of health research for the developing world, potentially including a binding international convention, will be formally discussed over the next year, the World Health Assembly concluded last week (21–26 May) in Geneva, Switzerland," SciDev.Net reports.

2 Jun 2012

Health effects of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on U.S. veterans

With the goal of preparing to manage the health concerns of returning U.S. veterans, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), is devoting its June issue to the health effects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2 Jun 2012

Socioeconomic status of patient linked to choice of treatment

Though it would seem logical, cancer patients don't always choose therapies with the best chance for survival-cost and side effects are also major considerations. Little has been known about the extent to which cost and side effects influence a patient's treatment decision. Now, new findings by Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers reveals that a patient's socioeconomic status, more than any other characteristic-such as age or disease site-is predictive of whether he or she will favor high efficacy, low cost or low toxicity when choosing a treatment.

2 Jun 2012

International community must sustain progress in reducing infant mortality rates

In this post in the Huffington Post's "World" blog, Cecilia Attias, former first lady of France and president and founder of the Cecilia Attias Foundation for Women, responds to a recent paper, published by the World Bank, which discusses significant declines in infant and under-five mortality in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa.

2 Jun 2012

High costs can limit access to potentially life-saving technology

More than one-fifth of people who have received referrals to test for cancer-causing genes say they will only undergo testing if their insurance covers the cost-just as more insurers are instituting cost-sharing for medical services like genetic testing, according to new findings from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia released at this year's 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Saturday, June 2.

2 Jun 2012

PMTCT of HIV 'critical, effective' to making progress in child survival

In this post in the Management Sciences for Health's (MSH) "Global Health Impact" blog, Scott Kellerman, global technical lead for HIV/AIDS at MSH, discusses USAID's "Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday" campaign and recent attention to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

2 Jun 2012

Walnuts make a nutritious snack

Ninety percent of American adults snack daily and could be gaining valuable nutrition. A paper published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that smaller nutritious meals eaten throughout the day contribute significantly to the nutrient quality of the diet. The key is making snacking choices that are not "empty calories" but healthful options, providing important vitamins and minerals.

2 Jun 2012

Chagas disease could pose threat similar to other global pandemics, experts warn

"Researchers are warning that the little-known Chagas disease could pose a threat similar to other global pandemics," Fox News reports, noting Chagas disease "is a parasitic illness that is most commonly transmitted by the so-called 'kissing bugs,' a subfamily of blood-sucking insects, through the parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi" (5/31).

2 Jun 2012

Reumofan Plus may have harmful pharmaceutical ingredients, warns FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that Reumofan Plus, marketed as a "natural" dietary supplement for pain relief and other serious conditions, contains several active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the label that could be harmful.

2 Jun 2012

First intercontinental Kidney Paired Donation

Medical history was made last December when a 31-year old Oklahoma woman donated her kidney to a stranger - a man living in Athens, Greece. In return, the Greek man's wife has donated one of her kidneys to someone in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., completing the first intercontinental kidney exchange and opening a door that potentially can save thousands of lives in the U.S. and worldwide. A donor from Trinidad and Tobago will soon travel to Denver to continue the chain.

2 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Changing unhealthy diets with mobile tech; ACOs for Medicaid

Multiple Behavior Changes In Diet And Activity -- Mobile technologies have been touted for their potential benefits to health and wellness. Researchers in this study gave 204 individuals a dieting and exercise regimen. They also gave each person a handheld device to record adherence and receive remote coaching.

2 Jun 2012