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Angiotensin receptor blockers do not increase risk of cancer: FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that a group of medications used to control high blood pressure, called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), do not increase the risk of developing cancer in patients using the medications.

3 Jun 2011

State roundup: Texas special session highlights health issues

States are slashing funding, and more cuts are expected. But in places like Reno, where police have teamed up with counselors to aid the mentally ill, the services don't seem expendable.

3 Jun 2011

Safer sex communication in transgender adults is more complicated: Study

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that talking about safer sex is a complicated process for individuals in the transgender community. The finding may help efforts to promote safer sex practices in a community facing high HIV rates - and also sheds light on broader questions related to safer sex for everyone.

3 Jun 2011

Climate change can harm indigenous peoples' health

The Canadian Arctic. The Amazonian jungle. The fringes of an African rainforest. These lands are home to some of the most isolated and vulnerable people in the world - the indigenous populations of Canada, Peru and Uganda. Because of their dependence on the land for food and water, indigenous peoples' health is particularly affected by climatic changes. Indeed, they are already seeing dramatic effects due to changing temperatures.

3 Jun 2011

Viewpoints raise questions: Can free market fix Medicare? Should military families pay more for health care?

If even a fraction of [the president's Medicare cuts] take place, a whopping 87 percent of doctors say they will stop seeing or will restrict the number of Medicare patients they see, further shrinking the pool of providers and further restricting access to care.

3 Jun 2011

PQA honors Kaiser Permanente for outstanding performance in medication safety

Kaiser Permanente Colorado is one of only three health plans in the nation to receive a top honor for excellence in medication safety. The award, issued by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, recognizes Kaiser Permanente's outstanding performance on medication safety measures included in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) new 5-star rating program.

3 Jun 2011

Opinion: Integrate NTD, HIV, TB and malaria programs

In a New England Journal of Medicine opinion piece, Peter Hotez of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and colleagues, including Jeffrey Sachs of the Earth Institute of Columbia University, outline how integrating treatment of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) into HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria control efforts could speed up progress toward attaining the sixth Millennium Development Goal.

3 Jun 2011

U-M study shows decline in surgery mortality for eight different high-risk operations

Surgery death rates have dropped nationwide over the past decade, according to a University of Michigan Health System study that reveals cancer surgeries have seen the most dramatic improvement in safety.

3 Jun 2011

Editorial: U.S. must provide ample funding for GAVI

"Considering its wealth, the U.S. spends relatively little on humanitarian aid that can make an enormous difference in the lives of millions of people - and in the perception of the U.S. around the world. Nothing this nation could do with $450 million would surpass the good accomplished with a vaccination pledge to GAVI,".

3 Jun 2011

RACGP committed to supporting telehealth in general practice

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recognises that telehealth provides considerable opportunities to improve health outcomes for patients in outer metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities and is committed to supporting the profession during the telehealth rollout.

2 Jun 2011

Medicomp releases Quippe, browser-based clinical documentation software development kit

Medicomp Systems announces the release of Quippe, its latest innovation to support usability of clinical systems at the point of care. It is a browser-based clinical documentation software development kit available for licensing by electronic medical record system developers.

2 Jun 2011

MedeAnalytics introduces Value-Based Purchasing Resource Center for healthcare industry

MedeAnalytics, a leading provider of healthcare performance management solutions, announced today the launch of its Value-Based Purchasing Resource Center. As a service to the healthcare industry, the resource center provides objective educational information on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' value-based purchasing program.

2 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 2, 2011

Today's health policy headlines cover a gamut of develoments, including reports about the latest Medicare dust up in the ongoing budget negotiations and about oral arguments in the latest round of appellate court action related to health law legal challenges.

2 Jun 2011

Many U.S. communities unable to address America's rapidly rising aging population, says new report

A new report released today finds that, due to the financial consequences from the Great Recession, many U.S. communities have been unable to make significant progress in preparing to meet the needs of the country's rapidly aging population.

2 Jun 2011

AAP report recommends water as primary source of hydration for children, adolescents

In a strongly worded recommendation, a new report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued May 31st advises that children and adolescents should not be given energy drinks or sodas with caffeine.

2 Jun 2011

'Gain-framed' PSAs more effective at curbing college students' binge drinking

Binge drinking among college students has long been viewed as dangerous and destructive. Government and non-profit health organizations spend millions of dollars annually on public service announcements (PSAs) aimed at dissuading college students from hazardous drinking habits.

2 Jun 2011

States and exchanges: A progress report

In today's Health on the Hill segment, Christine Vestal of Stateline joins KHN's Mary Agnes Carey and Jackie Judd to assess the progress - or lack thereof - states are making setting up insurance exchanges. They're required by the health law and they must be set up by 2014 to provide a online marketplace for people to buy insurance.

2 Jun 2011

HHS to reduce rates for high-risk insurance pools

The Obama administration on Tuesday took steps in the 18 states where the federal government runs high-risk insurance pools to make coverage more affordable to people with pre-existing conditions.

2 Jun 2011

People with individual health coverage have highest cancer costs

One of every seven cancer patients spends more than 20 percent of his income on health care and insurance, according to a new study from federal researchers.

2 Jun 2011

WHO warns of tobacco dangers on World No Tobacco Day

"Tobacco will kill nearly six million people this year, including 600,000 non-smokers, because governments are not doing enough to persuade people to quit or protect others from second-hand smoke, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday," which was observed as World No Tobacco Day, Reuters/Toronto Sun reports.

2 Jun 2011