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Basser Research Center to focus on treatment and prevention of inherited cancers

A $25 million gift to the University of Pennsylvania from alumni Mindy and Jon Gray will establish a center focused on the treatment and prevention of cancers associated with hereditary BRCA mutations.

9 May 2012

Chemically altered proteins may be key to understanding memories

Having a fat head may not be a bad thing, according to new findings at The Johns Hopkins University. As reported in the February 9 issue of Neuron, researchers have made a significant discovery as to how adding fat molecules to proteins can influence the brain circuitry controlling cognitive function, including learning and memory.

8 May 2012

Caring for carers

According to a new poll, there are hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers in Scotland who are suffering from mental health problems and struggling to keep their jobs.

8 May 2012

Ads for “affordable care act” claim to protect Medicare: Really?

Proponents of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have a very costly, tax-payer funded national advertising campaign--- posing as “protectors” of Medicare—even as the massively unpopular law cut $500-$800 billion from Medicare to fund expansion of Medicaid, shifting more medical care services to younger voters.

8 May 2012

Innovative program in Bangladesh causes large reductions in child malnutrition

An innovative program in Bangladesh that caused unusually large reductions in child malnutrition will come to life May 9 at an event featuring experts from the poverty-fighting organization CARE and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

8 May 2012

Alcohol and prescriptions drug overdose led to massive ambulance call outs last year

According to the latest figures released by Ambulance Victoria overdoses of alcohol and the abuse of prescription drugs is rampant in Melbourne, with more than 14,000 crisis call-outs made to emergency services to combat the excessive use of drugs last year.

8 May 2012

BCBSMA institutes enhanced safety measures on coverage for powerful pain killers

In an effort to limit possible prescription narcotic misuse and dependence among its members, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) announced today that it is instituting enhanced safety measures on how it will cover the use of powerful pain killers.

8 May 2012

U.S. healthcare system could be burdened with 32 million more obese people within two decades

Researchers have forecast the cost savings and rise in obesity prevalence over the next two decades in a new public health study.

8 May 2012

Brief empathy training program improves resident physicians interactions with patients

Resident physicians' participation in a brief training program designed to increase empathy with their patients produced significant improvement in how patients perceived their interactions with the residents.

8 May 2012

First Edition: May 8, 2012

Today's headlines include highlights of how congressional action surrounding the budget and the student loan program could impact health policy.

8 May 2012

ABIM approves AGA’s Procedural Sedation/Patient Safety PIM

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute's Procedural Sedation/Patient Safety Practice Improvement Module (PIM) has received approval from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to be part of ABIM's Approved Quality Improvement (AQI) Pathway.

8 May 2012

PAR releases latest edition of Parenting Stress Index

PAR, Inc. has released the latest edition of its popular Parenting Stress Index.

8 May 2012

ANA, Rasmussen College partner to honor America's 3.1M RNs

Rasmussen College is partnering with the American Nurses Association (ANA) to honor the contributions and commitment of America's 3.1 million registered nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12. Throughout the week, Rasmussen will host a number of community events supporting this year's theme, "Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring."

8 May 2012

New analysis on why some soldiers never seek PTSD care

U.S. Army researcher Maj. Gary H. Wynn, M.D., shared new analysis on why some Soldiers suffering from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) never seek care or drop out of treatment early during a presentation today at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting. His presentation, "Epidemiology of Combat-Related PTSD in U.S. Service Members: Lessons Learned," also described the approaches the Army is using to address this issue and improve overall patient outcomes.

8 May 2012

Cholera strain in Haiti evolving, CDC reports

"The cholera strain in Haiti is evolving, researchers reported Thursday, a sign that it may be taking deeper root in the nation less than two years after it appeared and killed thousands of people," the Associated Press/USA Today reports.

8 May 2012

MD Anderson dermatologists applaud upcoming FDA changes to sunscreen labels

Sunscreen labels can be confusing and at times misleading. That's why dermatologists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center applaud the upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label changes that help consumers understand exactly what they're buying.

8 May 2012

Medicaid programs in Ga., Ill. under microscope

States wrestle with Medicaid funding and opportunities to reshape the programs.

8 May 2012

PEPFAR releases 8th annual report to Congress

The Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog notes that PEPFAR recently released its 8th annual report to Congress.

8 May 2012

Calif., Ore. and Mass. try new ways to control health costs

In Massachusetts, House lawmakers released their proposal to curb health care spending, by setting a goal.

8 May 2012

VOA News examines South Africa's rural public health sector

VOA News features a five-part series on South Africa's rural public health sector, which the news service writes is "plagued by a high burden of infectious diseases, severe doctor and nurse shortages, lack of medicines and essential medical equipment and incompetent management," resulting in high patient death rates.

8 May 2012