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Gottlieb specialist, NWCR offer top weight-loss tips

Losing weight and saving money are the top New Year's resolutions expected to challenge Americans this year, experts say.

22 Dec 2011

Guardian podcast examines development issues of 2011, outlook for 2012

This Guardian "Global Development" podcast looks back at development issues in 2011 and asks "what the big development stories might be in 2012," examining the impact of the economic crisis on developing countries and the outlook for future global health funding.

22 Dec 2011

APTR recognizes Loyola nursing professor for novel teaching model

Dr. Pamela Andresen, associate professor of Health Promotion Nursing at Loyola University Chicago Marcella School of Nursing (MNSON), has been recognized with a Certificate of Excellence from the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) for her efforts to advance the teaching of prevention, population health and public health.

22 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: HHS punts on essential benefits; A doctor's view of Medicare

The health care reform law passed last year requires insurers to offer, at a minimum, a set of "essential" benefits to individuals and small groups. ... On Friday, however, the Department of Health and Human Services put out a bulletin proposing to let each state come up with its own definition.

22 Dec 2011

Tips to keep your heart happy and healthy during holiday season

'Tis the season to be jolly and heart healthy. "It is common for us to see an increase in heart-related issues, particularly around Christmas and New Year's," said Brandon Stacey, M.D., a cardiologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. "It is important to know that if you experience any chest pain or discomfort, seek immediate medical attention or call 911."

22 Dec 2011

Safe drinking water, sanitation MDG will be met but inequalities in access remain

Reaching the Millennium Development Goal of "reducing by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015" likely will be reached, "but large numbers of people in the world's least developed regions will still not benefit," according to a report released Tuesday by UNICEF and the WHO, the U.N. News Centre reports.

22 Dec 2011

What's to become of the 'doc fix?'

News outlets report about what the future could hold for Medicare physician reimbursements now that Congress has, so far, failed to take steps to avert a scheduled payment cut. Also, without congressional intervention, Medicare's rehab therapy caps will hit in 2012.

22 Dec 2011

Report outlines steps for transition of PEPFAR service delivery to S. African government

The Center for Strategic & International Studies' "Smart Global Health" blog highlights a report called "Terra Nova: How to Achieve a Successful PEPFAR Transition in South Africa," writing, "The United States and South Africa are negotiating a complex, multi-year handoff that will shift financial and managerial responsibilities for HIV/AIDS to the South African government and move the United States away from direct service delivery and into technical assistance.

22 Dec 2011

Scott & White gynecologist receives Honorary Fellowship from RANZCOG

Bob L. Shull, M.D., gynecologist and director of fellowship training in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive pelvic surgery at Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas, has received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

22 Dec 2011

Calif. gets $118 million for high risk pool; Mo. legislator urges suspension of health exchange plans

The federal funds will help California provide coverage to residents with medical problems. In Missouri, a state senator suggests that officials not make any more plans on the state health exchange until the Supreme Court rules on the legality of the federal health law.

22 Dec 2011

Gottlieb surgeon's evaluations of top five winter sports

The first day of winter is Wednesday, December 21, and many states are bracing for a season of snow and ice. Broken bones from snowboarding and sledding top the list of common visits to the Emergency Department (ED) during the winter months. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-quarter of all emergency hospital visits are attributed to snowboarding accidents, and half of all cases were for broken bones and sprains.

22 Dec 2011

Current U.S. rules, regulations sufficient to protect volunteers in federally funded research, report says

A report released last week by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues examining federally sponsored research involving human volunteers, called "Moral Science: Protecting Participants in Human Subjects Research," said that "current rules and regulations provide adequate safeguards to mitigate risk," "recommended 14 changes to current practices to better protect research subjects, and called on the federal government to improve its tracking of research programs supported with taxpayer dollars," according to a Commission press release.

22 Dec 2011

Truths and myths about pregnancy, obesity

Ironically, despite excessive caloric intake, many obese women are deficient in vitamins vital to a healthy pregnancy. This and other startling statistics abound when obesity and pregnancy collide. Together, they present a unique set of challenges that women and their doctors must tackle in order to achieve the best possible outcome for mom and baby.

22 Dec 2011

Kansas officials revise plans for reorganizing social services; Wis. study finds problems in Medicaid oversight

Kansas lawmakers grilled state officials about Gov. Sam Brownback's plans to streamline the state bureaucracy. In Wis., the legislative analysis found that private contractors are taking on an increasing share of the work of administering Medicaid programs.

22 Dec 2011

ASGE honors 27 endoscopy units with 'Certificate of Recognition'

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 27 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States.

22 Dec 2011

ACTF, Merck announce new HIV initiatives

Today, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and the ADAP Crisis Task Force (ACTF) announced a number of new initiatives to help struggling state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) continue to provide access to medicines to people living with HIV.

22 Dec 2011

Five weight loss tips for the New Year

With the new year right around the corner, many will be thinking about their New Year's resolution. One of the most popular - losing weight - can also be one of the most difficult to keep. But researchers at Temple's Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) work year-round to study the treatment and prevention of obesity.

22 Dec 2011

Roundup: Health coverage drops again in Fla.; Calif. wrestles with issue of violence in mental hospitals

Enrollment in commercial health insurance is continuing to decline in Florida. An annual market report adopted Tuesday by the Florida Health Care Insurance Advisory Board shows enrollment dropped by 4.3 percent during 2010. That's the fifth straight year it's gone down.

22 Dec 2011

First Edition: December 21, 2011

In the past year, Medicare politics and policies have grabbed headlines, with politicians from both sides of the aisle talking about "saving Medicare," "protecting beneficiaries," "improving quality of care," and "curbing fraud and abuse."

21 Dec 2011

CutisPharma introduces FIRST - Mouthwash Kits

CutisPharma, Inc. announced the introduction of FIRST - Mouthwash BLM 4oz and FIRST - Mouthwash BLM 6oz compounding kits. These products expand the FIRST Magic Mouthwash line for CutisPharma.

21 Dec 2011