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Prosocial behaviors reduce substance use among rural adolescents

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report the highest rates of substance use and dependence, according to the National Survey on Drug Use & Health. A new study from the University of Missouri found that rural adolescents who engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering and helping others, are less likely to use substances as young adults.

11 Nov 2011

FDA draft guidance aims to foster early-stage development of medical devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance aimed at fostering early-stage development of medical devices within the United States. Doing early-stage development is important to help stimulate U.S.-based innovation and contribute to medical research.

11 Nov 2011

Action on climate change required to prevent harm to health, development, reports say

"A lack of action on climate change and habitat destruction will threaten the progress of developing countries," because environmental sustainability affects "a wide range of social issues," including "health, education, income, gender disparities and energy production, combined with protection of the ecosystem," according to the U.N. Development Program (UNDP)'s Human Development Report 2011, titled, "Sustainability and Equity: a Better Future for All," VOA News reports.

11 Nov 2011

President of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids applauds FDA's aggressive action

Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: We applaud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for taking aggressive action to stop illegal tobacco sales to America's children, which is an important component of the landmark 2009 law granting the agency authority over tobacco products.

11 Nov 2011

Translating science into service delivery to achieve Clinton's vision of an AIDS-free generation

In this post in the Huffington Post's "Impact" blog, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby responds to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech on HIV/AIDS given at the NIH on Wednesday, in which she called for an "AIDS-free generation," writing that "her vision was an affirmation of the progress made over the past decade, and a mandate to redouble our efforts with global partners to bring the latest scientific advances to bear in order to save lives."

11 Nov 2011

Wood stoves with chimneys linked to reduced childhood pneumonia

Cooking stoves with chimneys can lower exposure to indoor wood smoke and reduce the rate of severe pneumonia by 30 percent in children less than 18 months of age, according to a new air pollution study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health.

11 Nov 2011

Global Health Service Corps essential to improve African health systems, achieve 'AIDS-free generation'

"A notable feature of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's 'AIDS-free generation' initiative is to strengthen health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa, ... a view echoed by many eminent voices in the global health community," Anand Reddi of the University of Colorado Medical School writes in a post on Huffington Post's "Impact" blog.

11 Nov 2011

School lunches improve health outcomes of children

The federally funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides free and reduced-price meals to more than 31 million children every school day, according to its website.

11 Nov 2011

Pediatric racial minorities less likely to get kidney transplants

Among children with kidney disease, certain races are less likely to get kidney transplants and are more likely to die than other races, according to two studies from Emory University that were presented during the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Kidney Week.

11 Nov 2011

Deficit panel at impasse despite offers

The Democrats outlined a new "tax trigger" as a means to overhaul the tax code. Meanwhile, news outlets reports that the two sides have largely agreed to a broad outline of spending reductions, including to Medicare and other domestic programs, but Democrats will agree to such cuts only if Republicans compromise by putting new tax revenues on the table.

11 Nov 2011

Psychotherapy technique can help reduce dementia caregivers' stress

Family caregivers of people with dementia experience more burden and are at greater risk of developing depression than caregivers of people with a chronic illness. A new evidence review from the Netherlands finds that a psychotherapy technique called cognitive reframing can help reduce caregivers' stress when they are caring for loved ones with dementia.

11 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: The role of IT in transforming health care; the GOP raises super committee stakes

Why can't Americans tap into the ingenuity that put men on the moon, created the Internet and sequenced the human genome to revitalize our economy? I'm convinced we can. We are in the early phases of the next big technology-driven revolution, which I call "consumer health." When fully unleashed, it could radically cut health care costs and become a huge global growth market.

11 Nov 2011

State roundup: Storms' huge impact on health care; Brooklyn's hospital quest; Calif. election results

Only a few private hospitals have survived in neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville and Bushwick to serve poor patients like them. Now all are in such dire financial shape that a small group of veteran health care planners appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is debating last-ditch measures to save them.

10 Nov 2011

Hand washing in hospitals may keep super bugs away: Report

A recent survey of hospitals has shown that the successful implementation of good hand washing practices in hospitals by nurses and doctors is effective in reducing the drug resistant superbugs. This comes after the introduction of a national program to boost hand hygiene compliance rates in hospitals by encouraging staff to use alcohol-based hand rubs before and after treating patients. To make it easier for hospital workers to clean their hands, alcohol-based hand rubs are being installed at the foot or near the head of every bed.

10 Nov 2011

APMA encourages 'Knock Your Socks Off' foot care campaign for people with diabetes

American Podiatric Medical Association Encourages Hispanic Health Awareness with "Knock Your Socks Off" Foot Care Campaign, Promotes Regular Foot Exams by Podiatrist to End Diabetes Complications

10 Nov 2011

High-powered magnets continue to be a safety risk to children

An increasing number of incident reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicate that high-powered magnets continue to be a safety risk to children. From toddlers to teens, children are swallowing these magnets and the consequences are severe.

10 Nov 2011

AOK selects SAP HANA platform to increase focus on preventive care

SAP AG today announced that AOK, Germany's largest health insurance provider, has chosen the SAP HANA platform to further its focus on preventive care.

10 Nov 2011

Small mistakes in the kitchen can lead to food-borne illness

At Thanksgiving, small mistakes in the kitchen can lead to food-borne illness. Dr. Ben Chapman, food-safety specialist and assistant professor of family and consumer sciences at North Carolina State University, can offer suggestions to ensure your Thanksgiving meal is a safe one.

10 Nov 2011

Jonas Center establishes nursing scholars program for veterans health

In recognition of the dedication and sacrifice of the nation's veterans, the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence has established the Jonas Nursing Scholars Program for Veterans Health.

10 Nov 2011

FDA claims withdrawal process for animal antibiotics as too hard

On Monday, in a disappointing move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied two citizen petitions that asked the Agency to ban certain uses of antibiotics in food animals.

10 Nov 2011