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Proposals to reduce nation's debt would harm major scientific projects: APS

The American Physical Society, the nation's leading organization of physicists, is deeply concerned that proposals to drastically reduce the nation's debt would do serious harm to major scientific projects.

6 Aug 2011

Panel discusses global health approaches and sustainable results

The Center for Global Health Policy's "ScienceSpeaks" blog describes a panel discussion, which took place at last week's Society for International Development 2011 World Congress, that focused "on vertical and integrated approaches to global health [and] addressed the question of how best to achieve sustainable results in the field."

6 Aug 2011

Students of FAU's new Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine receive first white coats

The 64 students who make up the inaugural class of Florida Atlantic University's new Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine will receive their first white coats at a ceremony today to symbolically confirm their commitment to the profession of medicine.

6 Aug 2011

Patient perceptions don't match Medicare hospital data

More than 120 hospitals given top marks by patients for providing excellent care also have a darker distinction: high death rates for heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia, a USA Today analysis of new Medicare data has found (Sternberg and Schnaars, 8/5).

6 Aug 2011

Medicaid changes rile advocacy groups in Calif., N.C. and Fla.

As states seek to find ways to curb costs in their Medicaid programs, many are getting opposition from patients and providers.

6 Aug 2011

Study finds connection between public health spending and population health

A groundbreaking new study published in the journal, Health Affairs, suggests that increases in public health spending result in healthier people, especially in communities with fewer resources.

6 Aug 2011

New edition of ACOEM's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines released

Meniscal tears of the knee (aka, torn cartilage) are extraordinarily prevalent and become universally present as one ages. Treatment often involves surgery, but is surgery the best option? Not necessarily according to scientific evidence presented in the newly published 3rd edition of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, knee disorders chapter.

6 Aug 2011

Mass. hospitals get Medicare funding lift, lots of criticism

The state's hospitals will get $275 million more a year in Medicare payments because of a special provision inserted in the health law. Critical reactions are coming from both inside and outside of Massachusetts.

6 Aug 2011

Lancet reports on Global Fund donors that have held back contributions

Several donors to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria "continue to hold back their contributions for this year … adding up to more than $500 million that the Global Fund had been counting on for this year out of a total budget of about $3 billion," the Lancet reports.

6 Aug 2011

St. Jude hosts Sibling Star Day event for brothers and sisters of cancer patients

When a child is battling cancer or other serious illness, the entire family is affected, including siblings. Recognizing the important role brothers and sisters play in the healing process, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital recently hosted Sibling Star Day, an event dedicated to celebrating the brothers and sisters of St. Jude patients.

6 Aug 2011

Providers, patients worry about debt deal

Though the initial phase of the debt deal doesn't include immediate provider cuts, analysts say the next phase — the work of the 'super committee' — could make significant reductions in spending for entitlements like Medicare and Medicaid. Even some elements of the health law and scientific research could be on the chopping block.

6 Aug 2011

Michigan Neurosport Concussion Program offers free online courses for high school coaches

Spencer Helgren was bawling his eyes out, but it was the fourth quarter and he wasn't going to sit down on the sidelines. He kept playing through the tears. It was the first of several head injuries on the football field for the junior from Westwood High school in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. At the time, he just thought he'd had his bell rung and he'd be fine - despite the unusual crying spell.

6 Aug 2011

Dems launch Medicare attack on GOP

The campaign, which will be staged during Congress' August recess and is being advanced by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will focus on 44 House Republicans and will charge them with wanting to cut Medicare. Democrats hope this effort will be aided by the lines drawn during the debt-ceiling negotiations.

6 Aug 2011

Measles Initiative vaccinates one billion children

The Measles Initiative on Thursday "announced it has helped vaccinate one billion children in more than 60 developing countries since 2001, making significant gains in the global effort to stop measles," according to a Measles Initiative press release.

6 Aug 2011

Congressional heavy-hitters back Michigan's MLR waiver request

Michigan Republican lawmakers Dave Camp and Fred Upton endorsed their home state's request for a temporary waiver from the health law's medical-loss ratio requirement. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald asks if ACOs will be the next health care revolution.

6 Aug 2011

Sebelius, Berwick tout drop in Medicare Rx costs

Even as health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year, the Obama administration announced Thursday, offering some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

6 Aug 2011

UAB Sports Medicine to open Concussion Clinic at Children's of Alabama

From the alluring smell of concession stand snacks to the sounds of the marching band, Friday nights in the fall are full of excitement surrounding an all-American tradition: football. But the sport has gained increasing attention in recent years more for the injuries it can cause than for the game itself.

6 Aug 2011

Pentagon officials urge lawmakers to find savings in Medicare

As the yet-to-be named members of the debt deal's 'super committee' set to work, Pentagon officials say deep cuts in defense spending will place the nation's security at risk. Meanwhile, one of the defense budget's fastest growing line items is health care costs.

6 Aug 2011

U.S. should demand human rights-based approach to HIV prevention programs in Uganda

"Uganda has sometimes been considered a success story in fighting HIV and has been a darling of international donors," including the U.S., which has poured over $1 billion into the country for AIDS programs.

6 Aug 2011

Tips to prevent heat stroke among school football players

Practices for football, cross country and other high school sports are starting up this month, and many athletes will do two-a-day workouts in the August heat. Last year, four high school football players died of heat stroke, according to the Annual Survey of Football Injury Research.

6 Aug 2011