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Study: Access to outpatient psychiatric care in Boston is severely limited

A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers published today in the Annals of Emergency Medicine finds that access to outpatient psychiatric care in the greater Boston area is severely limited, even for people with reputedly excellent private health insurance.

21 Jul 2011

WHO denounces TB blood tests in first-ever 'negative' policy recommendation

The WHO "called on Wednesday for an immediate halt to the use of blood tests to detect active tuberculosis, saying they were faulty and leave millions of people at risk," Reuters reports.

21 Jul 2011

Though slim on specifics, 'Gang of Six' plan seeks savings from health plans

The plan's key health components include an overhaul of the Medicare physician payment system and a repeal of the health law's long-term care insurance program. Kaiser Health News provides the executive summary of the plan.

21 Jul 2011

New poll: Majority of Canadians need changes to health care system

According to a new poll conducted for the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), an overwhelming majority of Canadians say the country's health care system must be transformed to better meet patient needs.

21 Jul 2011

Loyola medical experts offer heat and pollution advisory prescriptions

Many across the nation are experiencing the "dog days of summer" and medical experts at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, part of Loyola University Health System, warn residents to take extra precautions to safeguard their health.

21 Jul 2011

U.S.News ranks Rush University Medical Center among America's Best Hospitals for 2011-12

Rush University Medical Center has once again been named one of the nation's top hospitals in the nation, according to the upcoming issue of U.S.News & World Report.

21 Jul 2011

European Commission resumes foreign aid to Niger to improve education, health

"The European Commission resumed aid to Niger on Tuesday, releasing 25 million euros ($35 million) after the west African nation returned to democracy this year following a coup," Agence France-Presse reports.

21 Jul 2011

Experts at IAS conference suggest ways to increase funding for HIV/AIDS

"Scientists have now provided revolutionary tools to roll back HIV but only a major funding boost, supported especially by emerging giant economies, will determine the outcome," according to experts speaking in Rome at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, Agence France-Presse reports.

21 Jul 2011

Study examines cost-effectiveness of MS drugs in the U.S.

A new study examining the cost-effectiveness of drugs to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States finds that the health gains from these drugs come at a very high cost compared to basic therapy to control the symptoms of MS and compared to treatments for other chronic diseases.

21 Jul 2011

U.S. News ranks University of Texas MD Anderson as leading hospital for cancer care

For the fifth straight year, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the leading hospital in the nation for cancer care, according to the "Best Hospitals" survey published annually by U.S. News & World Report magazine.

21 Jul 2011

Texas Tribune reviews new anti-abortion law; health debate

An amendment that conservative state lawmakers hoped would wipe out the only taxpayer-funded elective abortions in Texas ultimately might not do much at all. One of many tacked onto an omnibus health care bill during the Legislature's special session in June, the amendment by Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, aims to remove state funding from any hospital district — a health care system financed by city or county tax dollars - that provides elective abortions.

21 Jul 2011

IOM panel recommends insurance coverage for contraception

The recommendation by the Institute of Medicine advises that contraceptives for women be treated as one of the several preventive services provided free of charge under the new health law.

21 Jul 2011

U.S. News ranks UC San Diego Health System among America's Best Hospitals for 2011-2012

UC San Diego Health System ranks #1 among San Diego's adult hospitals and among "America's Best Hospitals" according to U.S. News & World Report's "2011 - 2012 Best Hospitals" issue online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals and available on newsstands August 30.

21 Jul 2011

Maintaining and increasing AIDS funding critical

A new report showing "research funding for four key HIV prevention options - preventive vaccines, microbicides, PrEP and operations research related to medical male circumcision" - increased in 2010 compared with 2009 "is certainly good news, but we cannot rest on our laurels," Margaret McGlynn, president and CEO of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of the International Partnership for Microbicides, and Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, write in a post on the Global Health Magazine's blog.

21 Jul 2011

Save the Children report examines 'healthcare deserts'

A new report released on Wednesday by Save the Children says that about 40 million children under age five live in what the organization calls "healthcare deserts," Sarah Boseley writes in her "Global Health Blog."

21 Jul 2011

Prevention as a new approach to primary care?

A budding model for primary care that encourages the family doctor to act as a health coach who focuses as much on preventing illness as on treating it has shown promising results and saved insurers millions of dollars.

21 Jul 2011

State roundup: Fla. Medicaid waiver fight

Gov. Mark Dayton and lawmakers reached agreement on a new set of budget bills ... State spending for health and human services will be up from about $10.2 billion this biennium but well below the $12.3 billion projected under current law.

21 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Opinions abound on effect of 'Gang of Six' proposal on health spending

Without immediate action to raise the debt ceiling, the government will be forced to delay payments on federal obligations we owe. This means failing to pay our troops, delaying Social Security checks and issuing IOU's instead of Medicare payments to hospitals and doctors. ... Medicare has serious problems and it's essential to "bend the curve" of spending.

21 Jul 2011

Dossia introduces innovative health management system for employees

Dossia, a leading Personal Health Record System provider, today announced the launch of the Dossia Health Manager, an innovative health management system.

20 Jul 2011

Purdue Pharma develops new online resource for combating prescription drug abuse

A new online resource, RxSafetyMatters.org, is now available to help healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and community organizations combat the illegal diversion and abuse of prescription medications.

20 Jul 2011